Throughout the Mustang's history, a special car emerges whenever Ford taps Shelby to help add performance to the model. The GT350 name dates back to 1965 when Shelby turned the fastback Mustang into a race-ready car, available in showrooms across America and when the time came for Ford and Shelby to revive the GT350 nameplate, they needed to make it a standout and the most track-focused Mustang ever. Debuting in 2015, the GT350 was based around a unique engine known as the “Voodoo”- a 5.2-liter V8 with a flat plane crankshaft, which allowed the car to rev to 8,250 RPM while producing 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Offered in both standard GT350 guise or, for the more track-focused buyer, the GT350R, the unique engine, and excellent driving dynamics gave this car universal appeal- the likes of which the Mustang had not seen in decades.

Built in late 2019, this 2020 Shelby GT350R is a stunning car, finished in the limited production shade of Grabber Green and was optioned without racing stripes for a cleaner look. In specifying the “R” package, the Mustang came equipped with a large rear spoiler on the trunk and a splitter under the front bumper. The GT350R package came standard with a set of carbon fiber wheels built by Carbon Revolution which have been swapped out for the standard wheels on this car. Although initially, that may seem like a detractor, the carbon wheels are notoriously damage-prone and can not be fixed, requiring purchasing a costly replacement instead. The design of this generation Mustang is an homage to the classic fastback designs from the 1960s and 70s but has been made far more muscular with bulging wheel arches, heat extractors on the hood and a deep rear splitter with the four exhaust tips tucked neatly within.

The interior of the GT350R is a very nice place to spend your time- a pair of heavily bolstered seats offer plenty of lateral support, yet are still cushy and comfortable to sit in for a long journey. The multifunction steering wheel is Alcantara wrapped and allows the driver to control many features on the Sync infotainment system without taking their hands off the wheel, yet the buttons are not in the way during fast, track driving. As the GT350R was always intended to be used on the track, dedicated oil pressure and oil temperature gauges sit right at the driver's eye line on the dashboard and can keep you apprised of your car's vitals when lapping.

Sitting at the front of the GT350R is the true masterpiece of the vehicle- the largest displacement flat-plane crankshaft V8 produced to this point which allows the car to rev all the way to 8,250 rpm while making an absolutely unreal noise in the process. Only available with a 6-speed manual transmission, the GT350R is capable of running from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. One of the things that makes this car such a joy to drive on the track is the magnetic dampers which have been installed at all four corners- able to adjust in mere milliseconds, these shocks offer a smooth ride when out on the road, but will also keep the car roll-free when things get twisty and help insure as much tire stays on the track as possible.

The GT350 was only in production for a few years and it is safe to say that Ford will likely never make a vehicle this unique again. With its bespoke Voodoo engine, track focused weight saving program, and manual gearbox, collectors are already beginning to stock these cars away for the future. Presented in an eye catching shade of Grabber Green with black accents throughout, this GT350R is ready to show any European car loyalist, what a modern American muscle car can really do.