The battle for the top of the muscle-car heap took a major leap forward in when Ford unveiled its updated Shelby GT500 sport coupe and convertible, equipped with an aluminum 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine pumping out 800 horsepower. Those impressive numbers made the GT500 the most powerful Mustang ever produced,

Everything about the GT500, from its power-dome hood, Le Mans racing stripes, rocker panels, quad exhaust tips and forged-aluminum wheels to its Shelby-specific instrument cluster, Cobra-badged sport steering wheel, classic cue-ball shifter knob, leather-trimmed sport seats and bright aluminum pedals, screams road-shredding performance, yet the Shelby maintains reasonable manners on daily drives around town.