Complete List of Ford Mustang Concepts, One-offs, & Prototypes

Story Cars
Nov 24
28 min read

From wild mid-engine experiments and Italian coachbuilt one-offs to aviation-themed charity cars and record-chasing EVs, the Ford Mustang has spent six decades living a double life: one you see in showrooms, and one that exists in design studios, wind tunnels, and race shops around the world. This article is a complete tour of that hidden history—a chronological guide to Mustang concepts, prototypes, and specials that never made it to mass production but helped shape the cars that did. From the original 1962 Mustang I to today’s electric dragsters and GT3-bound track weapons, these are the sketches, clay models, test mules, and one-offs that pushed the pony car’s boundaries and kept the Mustang legend evolving far beyond the dealership floor.

This article contains the following Mustangs:

1962 Ford Mustang I Concept
1962 Ford Avventura Concept
1962 Ford Allegro Concept
1962 Ford "Special Falcon" Proposal Studio Submissions
1962 Ford Two-Seat Concepts
1963 Ford Mustang Fastback Styling Clay
1963 Ford Mustang II Concept
1964 Mustang III “Shorty” Prototype
1965 Ford Mustang Four-Door Sedan Prototype
1965 Ford Mustang 007 Concept
1965 Mustang AWD Prototype
1965 Bertone Mustang 2+2
1965 Ford GBX Prototype
1965 Ford Mustang B1 by OSI
1966 Ford Mustang Shooting Brake / Station Wagon Concept
1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept
1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2A Prototype
1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2B Prototype
1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2C Prototype
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 by Zagato
1967 Ford Allegro II Concept
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 “Little Red” Prototype
1968 Shelby EXP 500 “Green Hornet” Prototype
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Rear-Engine Prototype
1970 Mustang Milano Concept
1970s Ford Mustang II Proposals
1974 Ford Mustang Sportiva II
1975 Ford Mustang Fox Concept
1976 Ford Mustang Station Wagon Prototype
1979 Shelby Quarter Horse
1980 Ford Mustang RSX Concept
1980 McLaren M81 Mustang
1982 Ford Mustang "GT Enduro" Prototype
1984 Ford Vignale Mustang Concept by Ghia
1993 Ford Mustang Mach III Concept
1994 Ford Mustang Boss 10.0L Concept
1997 Ford Mustang Super Stallion Concept
1999 Ford Mustang FR500 Concept
2000 Bullitt Mustang Concept
2003 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Concept
2003 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Concept
2005 Mustang GT-R Concept
2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
2007 Ford Mustang FR500GT Concept
2008 Ford Mustang AV8R
2009 Mustang AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll”
2010 Ford Mustang “SR-71 Blackbird”
2011 Mustang “Blue Angels”
2012 Mustang “Red Tails”
2013 Mustang “U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds”
2014 Galpin-Fisker “Rocket” Prototype
2014 Mustang “F-35 Lightning II”
2015 Mustang “Apollo Edition”
2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 “Ole Yeller”
2018 Mustang “Eagle Squadron”
2019 Mustang “Old Crow”
2019 Ford Mustang Lithium EV Concept
2020 Mustang Mach-E 1400 Prototype
2020 Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype
2023 Mustang GT3 Prototype
2023 Mustang GT4 Prototype
2024 Super Cobra Jet 1800 Prototype

1962 Ford Mustang I Concept

The 1962 Ford Mustang I Concept was the first vehicle to carry the Mustang name. It was a two-seat, mid-engined roadster developed by Ford’s Advanced Design Studio under Lee Iacocca to gauge public reaction to a sporty compact car. The car used a 1.5-liter V4 engine sourced from Ford of Germany, mounted behind the seats, producing about 90 horsepower. It featured an aluminum body, independent suspension, and a low weight of around 1,200 pounds. The Mustang I debuted at the 1962 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, where driver Dan Gurney demonstrated it on track. Although it was never intended for production, the positive response to the Mustang I led Ford to pursue the idea of a sporty car for mass production, which ultimately became the 1964½ Mustang.

1962 Ford Avventura Concept

The 1962 Ford Avventura Concept was a design study created by Ford’s Turin, Italy-based styling team as part of early Mustang development explorations. It was a two-seat roadster built on a shortened Ford Falcon chassis, aimed at the European market. The car featured Italian-inspired styling with sharp lines, a long hood, and a compact rear deck, differing from the American Mustang I roadster shown the same year. The Avventura used a front-mounted inline-four engine and a lightweight body. It remained a one-off prototype and was never shown widely to the public, but it represented Ford’s effort to evaluate different sporty car formats before finalizing the direction that would lead to the production Mustang.

1962 Ford Allegro Concept

The 1962 Ford Allegro Concept was a small two-seat sports car designed by Ford’s European studio in Italy. It featured a mid-mounted four-cylinder engine and a lightweight, compact body aimed at testing sporty styling ideas for potential export markets. The Allegro had a low, aerodynamic profile with a short rear deck and long hood, emphasizing a sleek, performance-oriented look. Only a single prototype was built, and it never entered production, serving primarily as a design and engineering study to explore alternatives to the Ford Mustang I and other emerging sporty models.

1962 Ford "Special Falcon" Proposal Studio Submissions

In August 1962, Ford held an internal design competition to shape the car that would become the Mustang, code-named the Special Falcon Project. Three studios—Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and the Advanced Products Studio—each submitted proposals, resulting in a series of fascinating clay models that blended Falcon underpinnings with sporty new styling. Among these were sleek fastback studies from the Lincoln-Mercury team, Thunderbird-inspired taillight treatments, and more conservative coupe designs from Advanced Products. While none of these early proposals were chosen outright, they laid the groundwork for the Mustang’s final form, showcasing Ford’s effort to create a youthful, stylish, and performance-oriented car that would define an entirely new segment.

1962 Ford Two-Seat Concepts

The 1962 Ford Two-Seat Concepts were a series of experimental designs exploring a compact, sporty two-seater that could follow in the footsteps of the Thunderbird. Designers repeatedly revisited the idea of a two-seat Mustang, even after management decided the production Mustang would include a rear seat. These concepts tested proportions, performance layouts, and styling cues, but none of the prototypes were ever built for production. They remained purely design exercises to explore what a small, agile Ford sports car could look like.

1963 Ford Mustang Fastback Styling Clay

The 1963 Mustang fastback styling clay marked one of the earliest looks at what would become the production fastback model, capturing nearly its final shape more than a year before launch. This clay featured a dramatic split rear window treatment, echoing the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe, but Ford ultimately abandoned the idea in favor of better visibility. Even so, the design study revealed Ford’s intent to expand the Mustang lineup with a sportier fastback variant that would become one of the car’s most iconic body styles.

1963 Ford Mustang II Concept

The 1963 Ford Mustang II Concept was an early design study for a smaller, sportier Ford car intended to fit between the Falcon and Thunderbird. It featured compact proportions, a sleek profile, and a two-seat layout, aiming to capture the growing youth market. The concept influenced the development of the production Mustang, particularly in overall size and sporty styling, but it was never intended for direct production.

1964 Mustang III “Shorty” Prototype

The 1964 Ford Mustang III “Shorty” Prototype was an experimental two-seat version of the Mustang designed to explore compact, sporty proportions. It featured a shortened wheelbase and small overall dimensions while keeping the styling cues of the production Mustang. The prototype was never put into production but helped Ford evaluate alternative Mustang layouts and design possibilities.

1965 Ford Mustang Four-Door Sedan Prototype

The 1965 Ford Mustang Four-Door Sedan Prototype was a rare experiment by Ford to create a four-door version of the original Mustang. It retained the Mustang’s styling elements but extended the body to add rear doors and seating for extra passengers. The prototype never went into production, as Ford decided the Mustang’s appeal was strongest as a two-door sporty car.

1965 Ford Mustang 007 Concept

The 1965 Ford Mustang 007 Concept was a specially prepared fastback intended for use in the James Bond film Goldfinger. Finished in a unique gold exterior with a matching black-and-gold leather interior, the car was designed to tie in with the film’s title and style. However, the project missed the production schedule, and the car was not completed in time for filming. Instead, a Wimbledon White Mustang Convertible was used in the movie. The 007 Concept remained a little-known one-off, representing an early instance of Ford’s interest in connecting the Mustang with cinematic promotion.

1965 Mustang AWD Prototype

The 1965 Mustang AWD Prototype was Ford’s experiment to bring all-wheel drive to the Mustang shortly after its launch. The company partnered with Ferguson Research in England, which had developed one of the first AWD systems for passenger cars. Ford sent two identical 1965 Mustang coupes with 289 V8 engines to England: one remained stock, while the other was fitted with Ferguson’s AWD system. The prototype delivered improved traction, handling, and acceleration, especially on slick roads, thanks to a full-time system with a 37/63 front-to-rear torque split and a planetary center differential. Despite outperforming the standard Mustang in testing, the AWD Mustang never entered production.

1965 Bertone Mustang 2+2

The 1965 Bertone Mustang 2+2 was a unique concept developed by Italian design house Bertone. It featured a stretched roofline to add rear seating while keeping the sporty proportions of the Mustang coupe. The design explored a more practical, four-seat layout without losing the car’s original fastback style. Powered by a 289 V8, the Bertone 2+2 remained a one-off show car and never reached production.

1965 Ford GBX Prototype

The 1965 Ford GBX Prototype, part of Project Colt, was an early design study for what would become the Ford Capri. Created at Ford of England’s Research & Engineering Center in Dunton, Essex, the project was led by designer Philip T. Clark, who had previously worked on the Mustang I concept and created the Mustang’s galloping pony emblem. Clark’s GBX featured many of the design cues that defined the Capri launched in 1969, including the long hood, short rear deck, fastback pillars, squared-off rear quarters, and dramatic side crease. Initially styled by American designer Steve Shearer, the GBX evolved under Clark’s direction to closely anticipate Capri’s final form. Clark’s influence extended far beyond this prototype—he shaped the Mustang, Capri, Ford Transit, and Zodiac-Zephyr before his untimely death in 1968 at just 32 years old.

1965 Ford Mustang B1 by OSI

The 1965 Ford Mustang B1 by OSI, unveiled at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, was an Italian reimagining of the Mustang that shared little with the original beyond its 271-hp V8 and badges. Built on a short-wheelbase tubular chassis and dressed in sleek fiberglass two-seat bodywork, the B1 blended American muscle with European style, giving it an exotic character far removed from the production Mustang. Though OSI hoped to build a limited run, the company’s collapse in 1966 ended the project, leaving the B1 a fascinating one-off that showcased how the pony car might have looked through an Italian lens.

1966 Ford Mustang Shooting Brake / Station Wagon Concept

The 1966 Ford Mustang Shooting Brake was a one-off concept that turned the Mustang into a sporty station wagon. Designed to combine the performance and styling of the Mustang with added cargo space, it featured an extended roofline and a hatchback-style rear. Built on the standard Mustang chassis and powered by the 289 V8, this prototype never entered production but showcased the flexibility of the Mustang platform.

1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept

The 1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept was an early exploration of a performance-oriented Mustang. Built to test styling cues and aerodynamic elements for a sportier, more aggressive model, it featured unique hood and trim treatments and a slightly lowered stance. Although it never went into production as a standalone Mach 1, the concept helped influence the eventual 1969 Mustang Mach 1 performance package.

1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2A Prototype

The Mach 2A was the first fully functional prototype in Ford’s Mach 2 mid-engine program. Built on a modified 1967 Mustang chassis, it used a 289-ci V8 and a ZF transaxle. One prototype was painted red for a road car candidate, while a white version served as a race car mule. Both featured fiberglass bodies inspired by the GT40 and Corvette. Testing revealed handling issues with body roll and understeer, which limited the project’s progress.

1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2B Prototype

The Mach 2B was a design proposal intended for production starting in the 1970 or 1971 model year. It abandoned the Mustang chassis in favor of the Maverick Delta platform and included a redesigned body with dual front headlights and a layout that could accommodate the Boss 429 V8. Ford built three full-size clay models to explore production feasibility, but the car never reached the prototype stage.

1967 Ford Mustang Mach 2C Prototype

The Mach 2C was a fully realized static concept designed by Larry Shinoda. It drew inspiration from European supercars of the 1970s and 1980s, featuring a dramatic, futuristic body that hinted at a high-performance sports car. Although intended as a mid-engine, supercar-style vehicle with potential for a Boss 429 or SOHC 427 engine, it never became operational and remained a detailed showpiece.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 by Zagato

The 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Zagato was a one-off collaboration between Ford and Italian coachbuilder Zagato. Built on a Shelby GT350 chassis, the car featured distinctive European styling with a fastback roofline and a unique wrap-over rear window. It was unveiled at the 1967 Turin Auto Show as a potential candidate for limited production, but the project never advanced beyond the single prototype. After its initial display, the car was sold into private hands. In 2018, it underwent a restoration, though some of Zagato’s original design elements—most notably the wrap-over rear glass—were replaced with a more conventional Mustang fastback configuration. Today, it remains a rare example of transatlantic design experimentation during the Mustang’s early years.

1967 Ford Allegro II Concept

The 1967 Ford Allegro II Concept was a compact, sporty prototype developed to explore new styling and aerodynamic ideas for Ford’s small car lineup. It featured a sleek fastback roofline, lightweight bodywork, and an emphasis on handling and efficiency. While the Allegro II influenced some future design cues, it never progressed beyond the concept stage and was never intended for production.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 “Little Red” Prototype

The 1967 Shelby “Little Red” was a one-off Mustang-based prototype built by Carroll Shelby’s team to test performance upgrades and styling tweaks. It featured a lightweight body, custom suspension components, and unique red paint that gave it its name. The car was used primarily for development and promotional purposes and never went into production.

1968 Shelby EXP 500 “Green Hornet” Prototype

The 1968 Ford EXP 500, nicknamed the “Green Hornet,” was a prototype developed as a high-performance variant of the Mustang for racing and promotional purposes. It featured a modified 500-ci V8 engine, lightweight body panels, and experimental suspension components aimed at improving handling and speed. The car never reached production but served as a testbed for Ford’s performance engineering in the late 1960s.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Rear-Engine Prototype

The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Rear-Engine Prototype was an experimental project exploring a mid-engine layout for the Boss 429. Built to test performance and weight distribution, the V8 engine was mounted behind the driver, a radical departure from the standard front-engine setup. The prototype never went into production, but it provided Ford engineers with insights into alternative configurations and high-performance handling dynamics.

1970 Mustang Milano Concept

The 1970 Ford Mustang Milano was a mid-engine concept designed to explore a more exotic, European-style sports car using Mustang components. Built on a modified chassis, it featured a V8 engine mounted behind the driver and a fiberglass body with sleek, low-slung styling. The Milano was intended to show how Mustang technology could be adapted for a high-performance, two-seat layout, but it never reached production.

1970s Ford Mustang II Proposals

The Ford Mustang II proposals were a series of design experiments created in the early 1970s as Ford prepared the second-generation Mustang. After the original Mustang grew larger and heavier through the late 1960s, designers explored ways to return the car to a smaller, more agile format. Early proposals retained the large 1971–1973 platform with new bodywork, but these were considered too bulky and formal. By 1971, Ford shifted to a smaller, lighter platform and commissioned the Ghia design studio in Italy to create sleek fastback and hardtop concepts. These studies introduced features like molded-in faux side scoops, hidden headlights, and forward-leaning “shark-nose” grilles. Further refinements in 1972 and 1973 finalized the hatchback profile and proportions for the 1974 production Mustang II. The final model was significantly toned down from the bold styling experiments, but the concepts provided the blueprint for the smaller, more fuel-efficient pony car that launched amid rising gas prices and stricter safety standards.

1974 Ford Mustang Sportiva II

The 1974 Ford Sportiva II was a one-off roadster concept based on the newly launched Mustang II, created to test the market’s appetite for a sportier, open-air version. It featured a targa-style roof with a folding rear section similar to the Lancia Beta Spider and carried forward many production Mustang II design cues. Shown publicly at the Detroit Auto Show, the Sportiva II remained a prototype only and was never developed for production.

1975 Ford Mustang Fox Concept

The 1975 Ford Mustang Fox Concept was an early design study for what would become the third-generation Mustang, introduced in 1979. Built on the Mustang II platform, this prototype explored new styling directions, including a large chrome grille, similar overall proportions, and a rear-end design influenced by the late-’70s Ford Fairmont. Several Ford design teams contributed ideas, and the Fox Concept represented one path the Mustang could have taken. Ultimately, Ford chose a more modern design for the production model, which helped revitalize Mustang sales in the early 1980s.

1976 Ford Mustang Station Wagon Prototype

The 1976 Ford Mustang Station Wagon Prototype was a follow-up to the 1966 Mustang Shooting Brake, revisiting the idea of a Mustang wagon. Built on the Mustang II platform, it featured a roof rack and woodgrain side trim, aiming to compete with small wagons like the Chevrolet Vega three-door. This prototype, along with the Mustang III, never reached production. A model of this wagon is part of Howard Kroplick’s collection, preserving a rare piece of Mustang concept history.

1979 Shelby Quarter Horse

The 1979 Shelby Quarter Horse, also known as the Composite Mustang, was a pair of prototypes built by Kar-Kraft using Boss 429 Mustangs as a base. They combined 1969 Shelby GT500 front sheetmetal, Mercury Cougar dashboards, closed hoodscoops, and a standard Mustang galloping horse on the grille. Intended as a potential mid-year 1970 replacement for the Boss 429 and Shelby lineup, the project was canceled after poor sales of the GT500 and over-saturation of performance Mustangs.

1980 Ford Mustang RSX Concept

The 1980 Ford Mustang RSX Concept was Ford’s bold, rally-inspired experiment for the early Fox-body era—a wild Ghia-designed study that pushed the Mustang far outside its familiar pony-car identity. Built in Italy and wearing futuristic black plexiglass panels, aero headlight shields, a tall rear airfoil, and exaggerated bodywork, the RSX bore almost no resemblance to Ford’s showroom cars of the time. Its shortened wheelbase, wider track, raised ride height, and deleted rear seats hinted at European rally ambitions, even though it retained the stock 2.3-liter turbo four and production suspension beneath its dramatic shell. With leather-trimmed bucket seats, a high-mounted shifter, and Pirelli-equipped 16-inch wheels, the RSX blended offbeat styling with modest mechanicals. Never destined for production, it remains a peculiar yet fascinating footnote in Ford’s early 1980s vision of what a rally-ready Mustang could have been.

1980 McLaren M81 Mustang

The 1980 McLaren M81 Mustang was the most exotic Fox-body experiment Ford ever greenlit—a 1-of-10 collaboration with McLaren aimed at creating an IMSA-inspired, race-bred special edition. Built from hand-formed steel fenders, BBS wheels, Koni suspension, and a wind-tunnel-proven nose, the prototype paired aggressive bodywork with a blueprinted McLaren-massaged 2.3-liter turbo four pushing 175 horsepower. Inside, SCCA-style rollbar bracing, Recaro LS seats, a custom Stewart-Warner gauge cluster, and a leather sport wheel signaled its motorsports intent. Originally intended for a 250-unit run, the program stalled, leaving only ten brass-plaque-numbered cars—this Bittersweet Orange example being #0004. Touring dealerships nationwide and appearing on the cover of MotorTrend in 1980, the M81 stands today as an ultra-rare prototype that effectively previewed the philosophy behind Ford’s future SVO division, and remains one of the most distinctive and collectible Fox-body Mustangs ever built.

1982 Ford Mustang "GT Enduro" Prototype

The 1982 Ford Mustang GT Enduro Prototype was one of just three developmental cars built to preview a more race-inspired future for Ford’s 5.0-liter performance lineup. Finished as the only example in Dark Blue, it featured a blueprinted 302 V-8, a BorgWarner five-speed, four-wheel disc brakes, and BBS racing wheels—all echoing the IMSA endurance Mustangs that inspired it. Shown nationwide in Firestone’s “Motorsports Caravan” and celebrated in period media including Autoweek and Fabulous Mustang, this 14,000-mile prototype combined Ghia-trim comfort with McLaren-style bodywork and Stewart Warner “Stage III” instrumentation. Fully documented and uniquely equipped, it stands as a rare glimpse into Ford’s early 1980s vision for a track-bred yet street-drivable Fox-body flagship.

1984 Ford Vignale Mustang Concept by Ghia

The 1984 Ford Vignale Mustang by Ghia was a sleek, all-wheel-drive design study that reimagined the Mustang for a more aerodynamic, European-influenced future. Built on the Mustang SVO platform and powered by the familiar turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, the three-door, four-seat coupe debuted at the 1985 Chicago Auto Show wearing flush glass, a deeply contoured windshield with a single wiper, and low-profile headlamps that emphasized its smooth, wind-cheating shape. Fixed side windows with small power-operated openings and horizontally oriented taillights—complete with integrated reverse lamps—gave the Vignale a distinctly modern look. Though it never reached production, the Ghia-crafted concept showcased Ford’s mid-1980s appetite for advanced aerodynamics, AWD experimentation, and premium European styling within the Mustang lineage.

1993 Ford Mustang Mach III Concept

The 1993 Ford Mustang Mach III Concept was a supercharged, two-seat vision of where Ford might have taken the Mustang as the Fox Body era wound down—a radical, rounded roadster that stood worlds apart from the aging, boxy cars it followed. Built on a front-engine Mustang platform but styled like an exotic mid-engine machine, it featured a low cowl, sweeping windshield, deep side scoops, and a taut, sculpted body that previewed the coming SN95 design language. Under its hood sat a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 borrowed from the Lincoln Mk VIII and topped with an Eaton supercharger for a claimed 450 horsepower, backed by a T56 six-speed manual. Though only two hand-built examples were made for show circuits and the Mach III never neared production, its headlamp shapes, side vents, and interior themes carried directly into the 1994 Mustang. A fixture in ’90s media, toys, and video games, the Mach III remains a memorable what-if—an ambitious, era-defining concept that captured the transitional moment between the Fox Body and the modern Mustang.

1994 Ford Mustang Boss 10.0L Concept

The 1994 Ford Mustang Boss 10.0L Concept was Ford SVT’s outrageous, all-engine answer to the “no replacement for displacement” mantra—an SN95-based drag-strip missile built around a nearly 10-liter V8. Using a modernized 429 block stretched to 598 cubic inches and producing an estimated 850 horsepower, it channeled its fury through a C6 three-speed and a fortified 9-inch rear axle, good for 0–60 in 1.9 seconds and a 10.55-second quarter mile at 135 mph. Despite its wild capability, the Boss 10.0L wore surprisingly subdued styling: Shinoda-style graphics, Cobra wheels, a tall cowl hood, and little else to distinguish it from a production SN95. Inside, upgraded buckets and a no-nonsense layout underscored its singular purpose as a factory-backed drag car. Built to outgun Chevrolet’s ZL1 Camaro prototype—and succeeding—the Boss 10.0L never reached showrooms, but it set the philosophical stage for Ford’s later Cobra Jet program and remains one of the most extreme Mustang experiments ever conceived.

1997 Ford Mustang Super Stallion Concept

The 1997 Ford Mustang Super Stallion Concept was Ford’s late-’90s showcase of high-tech bravado—an SN95 transformed into a 545-horsepower experimental flagship built around a supercharged, flex-fuel 5.4-liter V8. Using modified aluminum heads, twin throttle bodies, and a clutch-activated Garrett blower, the engine could run on gasoline, alcohol, or any blend between, delivering 495 lb-ft of torque through a Borg-Warner T56 six-speed. With its widened track, lowered profile, and advanced powertrain, the Super Stallion claimed 0–60 in the mid-4-second range and a top speed of 175 mph, pairing raw performance with forward-looking engineering. Though it never neared production, the Super Stallion stood as a bold technical statement—an SN95 turned into a rolling laboratory for Ford’s most ambitious performance ideas of the era.

1999 Ford Mustang FR500 Concept

The 1999 Ford Mustang FR500 Concept was introduced at SEMA as Ford Racing’s “ultimate performance parts project”—a hand-built, track-focused evolution of the New Edge Mustang. Anchored by a 5.0-liter DOHC V8 producing 415 horsepower, it rode on a dramatically revised chassis featuring a bolt-on double A-arm front suspension, Lincoln LS-derived geometry, and a wheelbase stretched five inches forward for ideal 50/50 weight distribution. Carbon-fiber panels reduced mass, while Brembo 14-inch front brakes, wide 18-inch wheels, and a Tremec T56 six-speed completed the package. Capable of 0–60 in the mid-4-second range and topping out around 175 mph, the FR500 served as both an engineering laboratory and a blueprint for future Ford Racing components—bridging the gap between production Mustang performance and factory-developed motorsport specials.

2000 Bullitt Mustang Concept

The 2000 Ford Mustang Bullitt Concept was Ford’s modern tribute to Steve McQueen’s legendary ’68 fastback—an homage that blended cinematic nostalgia with contemporary performance hardware. Finished in Dark Highland Green with lowered suspension, 18-inch five-spoke wheels, and discreetly reshaped C-pillars to echo the original fastback profile, it recaptured the attitude of the movie car without resorting to retro pastiche. Brembo four-piston brakes, body-color rockers, and a brushed-aluminum fuel cap enhanced its understated muscle, while Dark Charcoal leather, brushed trim, and black-faced gauges gave the cabin a purposeful, period-inspired feel. Unveiled in Hollywood before the 2001 model’s launch, the Bullitt Concept served as both a respectful nod to an iconic film chase and a pivotal milestone in Mustang heritage, setting the tone for the limited-production Bullitt GT that followed.

2003 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Concept

The 2003 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Concept was a dramatic, forward-looking reinterpretation of America’s pony car, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show as a bold signal of where the next-generation Mustang would go. Rendered as a two-seat fastback on a modified Thunderbird chassis, it fused classic cues from the original 1964½ Mustang and the Mustang I concept with crisp, modern surfacing and a muscular stance. Beneath its sculpted hood sat a 4.6-liter DOHC MOD V8 tuned to 400 horsepower, while massive 20-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, and a purpose-built front suspension gave it the hardware to match its heritage. Inside, rich red-and-charcoal leather, billet aluminum trim, and a driver-centric cockpit blended retro inspiration with contemporary craftsmanship. More than just a showpiece, the GT Coupe Concept previewed the design language, proportions, and spirit that would define the 2005 Mustang—instantly recognizable, unmistakably modern, and deeply rooted in the legend that came before it.

2003 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Concept

The 2003 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Concept carried the same forward-leaning design language as the coupe but channeled it through an open-air personality that celebrated four decades of Mustang freedom. Finished in Redline Red and shaped around the iconic long-hood/short-deck silhouette, it combined classic cues such as the tri-bar taillamps and side C-scoops with a fully modern stance on 20-inch wheels. A billet-trimmed showbar and an inviting red-and-charcoal interior anchored its role as the sun-seeking counterpart to the performance-focused fastback. Unveiled alongside the coupe as a strong indicator of the 2005 Mustang’s styling direction, the GT Convertible Concept captured both heritage and evolution, proving that the Mustang’s spirit translates just as powerfully with the top down.

2005 Mustang GT-R Concept

The 2005 Ford Mustang GT-R Concept was a fierce, track-bred vision of what a modern racing Mustang could be—an S197-based tribute to the 1969 Boss 302 Trans-Am cars that helped cement the Mustang’s motorsport legacy. Unveiled in 2004 for the model’s 40th anniversary, the GT-R took the new Mustang platform and pushed it into pure competition territory with a wide, carbon-accented body, massive aero pieces, and its signature Valencia Orange paint. Under the hood sat a 5.0-liter “Cammer” V8 producing 440 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual and supported by fully independent suspension, adjustable dampers, Brembo brakes, and lightweight racing wheels. Inside, the GT-R stripped the Mustang down to its essentials—roll cage, race buckets, data systems—making it a no-nonsense track weapon. Though never intended for the street, the GT-R became a benchmark for Ford’s performance direction and remains one of the most celebrated Mustang concepts of the modern era.

2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept

The 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept was a sleek, modern Italian re-imagination of America’s most iconic pony car, crafted by Fabrizio Giugiaro as a contemporary design study rooted in classic Mustang heritage. Built with dramatic surfacing and a sweeping three-quarter rear profile that Giugiaro himself favored, the concept featured a pronounced fender crest that curled upward in a subtle nod to 1950s tailfins. Its triple-element taillamps reinterpreted the 1964 Mustang’s signature motif with sharp, arrow-shaped lenses, echoing the slatted rear-quarter treatment from Giugiaro’s earlier Mustang design study. A single uninterrupted glass canopy—windshield, roof, and rear window flowing together—gave the car a futuristic silhouette, achieved using UVA-blocking crystal roof material developed with Solutia. Though the simulated hatchback design never functioned on the prototype, the Giugiaro Mustang stood as a bold fusion of Italian styling and American muscle, showcasing how far the Mustang’s form could evolve while keeping its lineage unmistakable.

2007 Ford Mustang FR500GT Concept

The 2007 Ford Mustang FR500GT Concept—codenamed “Man Racer”—was Ford Racing’s no-nonsense evolution of the already-dominant FR500C, engineered as the ultimate showroom-stock Mustang for professional endurance and road-course competition. Powered by a 525-hp Ford Racing Modular V8 and backed by a Hollinger six-speed sequential gearbox, the GT featured massive AP Racing brakes, Pirelli slicks on wide three-piece BBS wheels, and fully adjustable coil-over suspension tuned for high-speed stability. Wider, lower, and far more aggressive than its “Boy Racer” predecessor, the FR500GT echoed the spirit of the brutal Trans-Am Mustangs of the ’70s while pushing Ford’s track program into new territory. Purpose-built and uncompromising, it stood as the clearest expression of Ford Racing’s mid-2000s ambition to create a factory-engineered Mustang capable of dominating any road course it touched.

2008 Ford Mustang AV8R

The 2008 Mustang AV8R was a one-off, aviation-themed special created by Ford for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh auction, paying tribute to the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter. Finished in Satin Silver with black accents and AV8R graphics, it featured a glass roof emblazoned with an Air Force star and a cockpit-inspired interior trimmed in “bomber jacket” leather with Bullitt-style gauges and shifter. Ford Racing upgrades—a supercharger, handling package, and free-flow exhaust—pushed output to 400 horsepower, while Shelby GT500 wheels and a California Special appearance kit completed the look. Built to raise funds for the EAA’s Gathering of Eagles youth aviation scholarships, the AV8R stands as a unique blend of Mustang muscle and aviation heritage.

2009 Mustang AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll”

The 2009 Ford Mustang AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll” was Ford’s follow-up to the wildly successful AV8R charity Mustang—a one-off, aviation-inspired special built for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh auction. Based on the freshly redesigned 2010 Mustang GT, the Dearborn Doll packed a Ford Racing–supercharged 4.6-liter V8 making 550 horsepower, backed by a performance handling package and wrapped in a striking WWII fighter motif. Its liquid silver and yellow paint scheme paid homage to vintage warbirds, echoed by bomber-jacket leather inside, an aircraft-style instrument panel, and GT500 wheels detailed with yellow “propeller tip” accents. A GT500 rear spoiler, unique fuselage pinup graphics, and a star-and-bar glass roof completed the theme. Auctioned for $250,000, the AV-X10 carried on Ford’s tradition of aviation-themed charity Mustangs—an unmistakable blend of performance, nostalgia, and wartime Americana.

2010 Ford Mustang “SR-71 Blackbird”

The 2010 Ford Mustang “SR-71 Blackbird” was a one-off aviation-themed special built for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh auction, blending Mustang performance heritage with the legend of Lockheed’s SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. Co-developed by Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush—reflected in the dual-meaning “SR” designation—the car wore a striking black-and-gray livery, screen-printed glass roof, and a unique integrated spoiler recalling the Blackbird’s stealth aesthetic. Its two-seat cockpit featured aviation-style trim and embroidered signatures from both builders. Powered by a 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 enhanced with Ford Racing supercharger, handling pack, and exhaust upgrades, the SR-71 delivered more than 100 extra horsepower over stock. Auctioned for $375,000, it surpassed the Dearborn Doll’s total and continued Ford’s run of high-value, aircraft-inspired charity Mustangs that raised over $1.1 million in three years.

2011 Mustang “Blue Angels”

The 2011 Mustang Blue Angels was a one-off tribute car that merged Ford performance with the iconic style of the U.S. Navy’s elite demonstration squadron. Built from a 2012 Mustang GT and finished in deep metallic blue with vivid yellow accents and hand-painted Blue Angels graphics, it echoed the precision and showmanship of the jets that inspired it. Creation ’n’ Chrome spent over 600 hours perfecting its exterior, while a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, Ford Racing handling pack, upgraded Brembos, and a high-output exhaust delivered performance worthy of its bold look. Auctioned at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Blue Angels Mustang raised more than $400,000 for the Young Eagles program—continuing Ford’s tradition of crafting aviation-themed Mustangs that perform just as strikingly as they appear.

2012 Mustang “Red Tails”

The 2012 Mustang “Red Tails” was Ford’s aviation-themed one-off tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, blending WWII heritage with modern muscle in one of the most striking Young Eagles charity builds. Based on a 2013 Mustang GT, it wore an aluminum-colored body with bold red and yellow accents and a signature bright-red “tail,” echoing the P-51 Mustangs flown by the 332nd Fighter Group. A Whipple-supercharged 5.0-liter V8, quad-pipe exhaust, Boss-inspired details, and 20-inch Forgiato wheels backed up the looks with serious performance. Inside, Recaro seats embroidered with Red Tails insignia, tri-color belts, performance gauges, and a rear-seat delete reinforced its fighter-plane attitude. Complete with illuminated Red Tails script and a push-button start, the car sold for $370,000 at AirVenture Oshkosh—adding another chapter to Ford’s aviation charity legacy and honoring one of America’s most storied flying units.

2013 Mustang “U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds”

The 2013 Mustang “U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds” Edition was a one-off, VIN 0001 tribute car built to honor the 60th anniversary of the famed F-16 flight demonstration team. Based on a 2014 Mustang GT with a glass roof, it featured custom wide-body panels, a hand-painted belly pan, and a brilliant white exterior with red and blue Thunderbird markings to mirror the squadron’s iconic livery. Inside, Recaro seats, bespoke graphics, and unique illumination elements reinforced the aviation theme. A Ford Racing supercharger, handling pack, and Brembo brakes elevated performance well beyond stock. Auctioned at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Thunderbirds Mustang continued Ford’s tradition of aviation-themed charity builds, helping raise funds for the Young Eagles program while celebrating one of America’s most recognizable aerial units.

2014 Galpin-Fisker “Rocket” Prototype

The 2014 Galpin Auto Sports & Henrik Fisker Rocket prototype was a coach-built, carbon-fiber–bodied super-Mustang that reimagined classic pony-car aggression with modern supercar performance. Unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Rocket featured a hand-formed carbon shell by Metalcrafters with a long sculpted hood, flared fenders, integrated rear spoiler, carbon aero skirts, a functional splitter and diffuser, and ADV.1 wheels wrapped in Pirelli extreme-performance tires. Powered by a 725-hp supercharged V8, it combined dramatic design cues inspired by the Mustangs of the ’60s and ’70s with serious track-grade engineering. Its overwhelmingly positive debut prompted Galpin and Fisker to begin low-volume production, with the first customer car premiering at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

2014 Mustang “F-35 Lightning II”

The 2014 Mustang “F-35 Lightning II” Edition was a one-off S550 Mustang created for the EAA AirVenture charity auction, where it sold for $200,000 to benefit the Young Eagles program. Inspired by Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet, the car featured a Magnetic gray exterior with matte-black and yellow striping, stealth-themed wheels, yellow Brembo calipers, and an aggressively sculpted custom front splitter designed for high-speed downforce. Its rear end carried bold “F-35” graphics and a jet-influenced black-and-yellow treatment with a unique decklid panel and racing-style spoiler. Built as the latest in Ford’s aviation-themed charity Mustangs, the F-35 Edition showcased an unmistakably fighter-jet aesthetic while helping raise more than $2.5 million for aspiring young aviators since the program began.

2015 Mustang “Apollo Edition”

The 2015 Mustang Apollo Edition was a one-off, space-themed S550 built by Ford for auction at the EAA AirVenture Show, continuing the brand’s tradition of creating aviation-inspired charity cars for the Young Eagles program. Finished in a dramatic pure-white and pure-black paint scheme modeled after NASA’s Apollo spacecraft, the car featured carbon-fiber aero pieces including a front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker moldings, and accent treatments that blended form with function. Based on a Mustang GT, it packed a supercharged 5.0L Coyote V8 producing 627 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque, backed by a sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes, and custom 21-inch wheels. A Ford Performance X-pipe with side and rear exhaust ensured it sounded as bold as it looked. Raising nearly a quarter-million dollars at auction, the Apollo Edition Mustang stood out as one of the most striking and powerful special-edition Mustangs Ford has ever created.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 “Ole Yeller”

The 2016 “Ole Yeller” Mustang was a one-off Shelby GT350 created for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to honor legendary pilot Bob Hoover and his iconic bright-yellow P-51D Mustang fighter. Finished in a vivid aviation-inspired yellow with unique interior touches celebrating Hoover’s legacy, the GT350 retained its ferocious 526-hp 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V8 and Tremec six-speed manual, blending one of Ford’s most track-focused Mustangs with the spirit of a famed warbird. Auctioned to benefit the EAA’s youth aviation programs, “Ole Yeller” stood as a high-performance tribute that fused Mustang heritage with aviation history in unforgettable fashion.

2018 Mustang “Eagle Squadron”

The 2018 Mustang “Eagle Squadron” was a one-off Mustang GT created by Ford Performance and Vaughn Gittin Jr. to honor the centennial of the Royal Air Force and pay tribute to the American volunteer fighter pilots of the Eagle Squadron. Debuting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car featured a custom livery inspired by WWII Spitfire aircraft and was driven up the Goodwood Hill by Gittin Jr. alongside an RAF veteran whose father served in the original squadron. Built as the latest in Ford’s aviation-themed charity Mustangs, the Eagle Squadron GT combined a supercharged 5.0L V8 with RTR performance enhancements and bespoke military-themed detailing before being auctioned to support the EAA Young Eagles program.

2019 Mustang “Old Crow”

The 2019 “Old Crow” Mustang GT was a one-off collaboration between Ford and Roush Performance honoring WWII triple-ace pilot Col. Bud Anderson and the P-51 Mustang fighter planes he flew. Built for auction at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the tribute car featured a custom paint scheme and markings mirroring Anderson’s iconic “Old Crow,” along with aviation-themed details inside and out. Under the hood, a TVS R2650 supercharger boosted the 5.0-liter V8 to 710 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque, supported by MagneRide damping, lightweight Roush wheels, Continental performance tires, and upgraded aero elements inspired by P-51 exhaust and bodywork. Its cockpit carried military-style green leather, canvas accents, unique badging, and Sparco harnesses, creating a true aircraft-inspired environment. Auctioned to support EAA’s youth aviation programs, the “Old Crow” Mustang continued Ford’s tradition of aviation-themed charity builds—raising funds, honoring heroes, and celebrating the spirit of flight.

2019 Ford Mustang Lithium EV Concept

The 2019 Ford Mustang Lithium EV Concept was a one-off, battery-electric prototype built by Ford and Webasto to showcase an ultra-high-performance electric future for the pony car. Based on an S550 Mustang coupe, it swapped the V-8 for a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and 800-volt Webasto battery system capable of over 900 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, routed surprisingly through a strengthened Getrag MT82 six-speed manual and Super 8.8 Torsen rear differential. Revealed at the 2019 SEMA Show with track-ready suspension, Brembo brakes, and aggressive aero, the Lithium served as a rolling test bed for next-generation EV tech and a proof-of-concept that an electric Mustang could still deliver old-school driver engagement.

2020 Mustang Mach-E 1400 Prototype

The 2020 Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 Prototype was an all-electric, seven-motor engineering showcase developed by Ford Performance and RTR to prove just how extreme EV performance could be. Built from a Mach-E GT body-in-white and projecting a wild 1,400 hp with more than 1,000 kg of downforce at 160 mph, the one-off prototype combined drift-car theatrics with race-car aerodynamics, adjustable AWD/RWD/FWD configurations, and a 56.8-kWh high-discharge battery designed for repeated hard runs. Featuring a massive aero package, organic-fiber hood, Brembo brakes, regenerative braking integration, and a drift-spec hydraulic handbrake, the Mach-E 1400 served as a rolling laboratory after 10,000 hours of joint development—debuting at NASCAR events to challenge long-held assumptions about electric propulsion and signaling Ford’s aggressive push toward high-performance EVs.

2020 Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype

The 2020 Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype marked Ford Performance’s first fully electric factory dragster, a silent but brutal quarter-mile weapon engineered to showcase the upper limits of EV propulsion on the strip. Purpose-built to deliver more than 1,400 horsepower and 1,100 lb-ft of instant torque, the battery-powered Cobra Jet was projected to run the quarter in the low-8-second range at over 170 mph, honoring the legacy of the late-1960s Cobra Jet while reimagining it for an electric future. Developed with partners including MLe Racecars, Cascadia, AEM EV, and Watson Engineering, the prototype demonstrated how rapidly Ford was pushing electrified performance following the debut of the Mustang Mach-E. With ongoing testing and a public track debut planned for later in 2020, the Cobra Jet 1400 stood as a bold proof-of-concept—an EV drag racer capable of rewriting expectations while remaining unmistakably Mustang.

2023 Mustang GT3 Prototype

The 2023 Ford Mustang GT3 Prototype marks Ford Performance’s next leap into global motorsport, spotted testing under heavy camouflage as the brand gears up for Le Mans and other endurance series. Believed to be a road-going evolution of the officially revealed 2024 Mustang GT3, this widened S650 mule hints at aggressive aerodynamics—an enlarged front splitter, massive tires (likely Michelin Cup 2Rs), and carbon-fiber bodywork derived from the race car. The GT3 platform uses a 5.4-liter V8 based on the redesigned Coyote, paired with a rear-mounted transaxle and bespoke short-long arm suspension. This prototype notably lacks the towering rear wing of the competition model and may feature a center-exit exhaust, suggesting Ford is experimenting with a street-legal GT3-inspired variant. While its exact identity remains unconfirmed, the car aligns with Ford CEO Jim Farley’s public interest in a production GT3 Mustang—one more sign that Ford is aggressively expanding the S650 lineup and its racing pedigree.

2023 Mustang GT4 Prototype

The 2023 Mustang GT4 Prototype debuted at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, marking Ford Performance’s latest customer race car built from the all-new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse. Designed to continue Ford’s presence in global GT4 competition, the new GT4 features a Troy Lee–designed livery, a Ford Performance–built Coyote-based V8 assembled in Dearborn, and full construction by longtime partner Multimatic. Track-focused hardware includes Multimatic DSSV dampers, a Holinger dog-ring gearbox with pneumatic paddle shifting, natural-fiber body panels, and GT4-specific aero. Positioned between the Mustang GT3 and upcoming Dark Horse R, the Mustang GT4 expands the “Ford vs. Everyone” motorsports campaign and reinforces Mustang’s legacy as Ford’s most raced and most successful nameplate worldwide.

2024 Super Cobra Jet 1800 Prototype

The 2024 Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800 Prototype represents Ford Performance’s most extreme electric drag racer yet—an evolution of the record-setting Cobra Jet 1400, reengineered to shatter its own NHRA quarter-mile benchmark of 8.128 seconds at 171.97 mph. Built with partners MLe Racecars, AEM-EV, Cascadia Motion and Watson Engineering, the Super Cobra Jet 1800 features revised chassis geometry, an all-new Liberty transmission, a lighter and redesigned battery system, upgraded rear-end setup, and a refined control and data suite. Its four PN-250-DZR inverters and dual stacked DS-250-115 motor pairs now produce a targeted 1,800 horsepower, putting even greater emphasis on violent launches aided by massive Mickey Thompson drag radials. Honoring the historic 1969 Super Cobra Jet nameplate while pushing EV tech forward, the prototype will attempt new records for the fastest full-bodied electric car and fastest 0–60 mph times for both EVs and two-wheel-drive EVs, with MLe cofounder Pat McCue piloting the car later this season.

Hope you enjoyed this full tour through six decades of Mustang “what-ifs” and one-offs. If we missed your favorite concept, prototype, or special build, drop it in the comments—especially if you’ve got photos, brochures, or period stories to go with it. We’re always updating this list, so your additions, corrections, and deep-cut trivia are more than welcome.