Price (as tested) 💲: $63,555
Powertrain ⚙️: 5.0-liter V8
Output 💪: 470 hp/410 lb-ft of torque
Transmission 🕹: 6-Speed Manual
0-60 MPH 🚦: 4.4 seconds
Top Speed 💥: 168 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 14 city/22 hwy/17 combined
Curb weight ⚖️: 3,844 lbs

 

If I hadn’t just secured my own V8 American muscle machine, I’d be hunting the used market for a Shelby Mustang GT350R.

With flat-plane rev speed, rev range, and sound, the 350 transcended its segment in the same way the latest Vette Z06 is now putting the hurt on supercars.

Alas, the GT 350 is back on the shelf starting this year, leaving a giant gap between the GT and the blown GT 500.

But while one historic nameplate returns to retirement, another leaves it. Ford scavenged suspension, transmission, and intake parts from the GT350 to endow the Mustang Mach 1 with veritable track worthiness.

The result is the best Coyote 5-liter Mustang you can buy…with a price tag $18K higher than the starter GT.

::gulp::

Ultimately, the Mustang Mach 1 only makes sense for track aficionados who must have a new ‘Stang, or nostalgic shoppers who frequent car shows. Everyone else take that $62K on a hunt for a gently used 350 R (well, not everyone – or there won’t be any left for me).