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The Fastest Cars Ever Built by American Automakers

Cameron Eittreim January 28, 2025

Since the dawn of the automotive industry drivers have been obsessed with how fast they can drive. From people trying to break land speed records to drag racing down their city streets there is just something special about a fast car. American automakers have built their reputations on the popularity of the muscle car era. Since then it’s become the norm to cram a massive engine under the hood of a seemingly normal ride.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (Top Speed: 200 mph)

The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was a revolutionary muscle car, designed with aerodynamics in mind. It achieved a groundbreaking 200 mph top speed, becoming the first NASCAR car to do so. This thing had a massive rear wing and extended nose cone which was unlike any other muscle car.

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1970 Plymouth Superbird (Top Speed: 190 mph)

The 1970 Plymouth Superbird, another NASCAR legend, pushed boundaries with its 190 mph top speed. Equipped with a 426 HEMI V8, it was engineered to dominate on the track. Its distinctive aerodynamic design, including the towering rear wing was made famous by Richard Petty.

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1968 Shelby GT500 KR (Top Speed: 140 mph)

The 1968 Shelby GT500 KR (“King of the Road”) was powered by a 428 Cobra Jet engine producing 335 horsepower. With a top speed of 140 mph, it was a beast compared to the other pony cars like the Camaro. Carroll Shelby’s input on the car definitely gave it a unique touch.

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Top Speed: 150 mph)

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is one of the rarest and most powerful muscle cars ever built. With its aluminum 427 engine, it effortlessly reached 150 mph. Only 69 units were made, making the ZL1 one of the rarest first-generation Camaro’s around. This car was scary fast and extremely stylish for the time.

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1965 Shelby Cobra 427 (Top Speed: 160 mph)

The 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 was raw power at it’s best. Boasting a 7.0L Ford V8, it accelerated to a top speed of 160 mph. Its lightweight design and unmatched power-to-weight ratio made it a track legend. The design was stripped down and built for speed, there wasn’t even a convertible top on here.

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1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 (Top Speed: 170 mph)

The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 was a performance beast, offering 430 horsepower, though it was widely believed to produce more. With a top speed of 170 mph, it became a favorite for racing enthusiasts. This is by far one of the most expensive Corvette’s that you can find, of course you’ll be spending a lot on rubber too.

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1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda (Top Speed: 155 mph)

The 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda embodied muscle car dominance with its 426 HEMI engine. With a top speed of 155 mph, it offered unmatched performance. Its aggressive styling and limited production numbers elevated it to an iconic status, and also cemented Plymouth as a muscle car company.

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1969 Pontiac GTO Judge (Top Speed: 140 mph)

The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, featuring a 400ci V8 engine, delivered 370 horsepower and a top speed of 140 mph. The GTO was already a legendary muscle car but the Judge option sent it to the next level. The GTO Judge is highly regarded as one of the most influential Pontiac models of all-time.

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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 HEMI (Top Speed: 150 mph)

The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 HEMI delivered a remarkable 425 horsepower, achieving a top speed of 150 mph. With bold looks and ferocious power, it was a game-changer for Dodge. The R/T name has been cemented in muscle car history for pushing the boundaries of power and muscle car design.

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1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429 (Top Speed: 145 mph)

The 1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429 came equipped with a 429ci V8 engine producing 370 horsepower, reaching a top speed of 145 mph. Ford isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of the muscle car era, but the Torino Cobra 429 was the epiphany of speed and engineering.

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2023 Ford Mustang GT500 (Top Speed: 180+ mph)

The 2023 Ford Mustang GT500 redefines modern muscle cars with its 760-horsepower supercharged V8. It hits a top speed of over 180 mph while delivering track-ready performance. The blacked out paint job was unique to these production models. The GT500 is one of the fastest production Mustang’s ever built.

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2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye (Top Speed: 203 mph)

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye boasts an astonishing 797 horsepower, with a top speed of 203 mph. Its supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 makes it one of the fastest and most powerful production muscle cars ever built. These Hellcat Redeye models were some of the most notable modern Hemi sports cars ever built.

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2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE (Top Speed: 200 mph)

The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE combines advanced aerodynamics with a 650-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. Capable of reaching 200 mph, it’s designed for both the track and the road. There weren’t a lot of special edition modern Camaro models but the ZL1 1LE was every bit of a track car.

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2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R (Top Speed: 180 mph)

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R delivered the kind of performance that people dream of. The naturally aspirated 5.2L V8 engine produced 526 horsepower. It had a top speed of 180 mph and track-focused enhancements, including carbon-fiber wheels. This was the pinnacle of the modern Mustang era.

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2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody (Top Speed: 196 mph)

The 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody offers a top speed of 196 mph, powered by a 707-horsepower supercharged HEMI V8. Its aggressive design and wider stance provide enhanced stability for the types of aggressive driving that enthusiasts like to do. This wasn’t your grandma’s grocery getter sedan.

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2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Top Speed: 195 mph)

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 features a 5.5L flat-plane crank V8 delivering 670 horsepower. With a top speed of 195 mph, it’s engineered for precision and speed. Its mid-engine layout of the car was something new for the Corvette but it has stuck with the lineup so far.

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2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (Top Speed: 168 mph)

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 blends retro-inspired styling with modern engineering. Its 480-horsepower V8 enables a top speed of 168 mph, while track-ready enhancements. The Mach 1 was also released in the early 2000s and it proved to be quite popular. The 2022 Mach 1 was a blend of modern beauty and classic performance.

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2018 Dodge Demon (Top Speed: 168 mph)

The 2018 Dodge Demon was a dragstrip legend, boasting 840 horsepower and a 0-60 time of just 2.3 seconds. While its top speed is 168 mph, its focus on straight-line performance and groundbreaking features, like Drag Mode. Few automakers have actually built a production drag car but Dodge did.

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2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (Top Speed: 200 mph)

The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing paired luxury with speed, offering a supercharged 6.2L V8 producing 668 horsepower. With a top speed of 200 mph, this was not the average Cadillac. This was also the end of an era for the V8 Cadillac V-Series models, and it went out with a fantastic bang.

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2020 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat (Top Speed: 180 mph)

The 2020 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat brings muscle car performance to the SUV market. Powered by a 710-horsepower supercharged V8, it reaches a top speed of 180 mph. There have been a lot of performance SUV’s over the years from the Saleen Explorer to the Escalade V but the Durango SRT Hellcat was in a league of it’s own.

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2023 SSC Tuatara (Top Speed: 282.9 mph)

The 2023 SSC Tuatara is a record-breaking hypercar, achieving a top speed of 282.9 mph. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.9L V8 producing 1,750 horsepower, it was an all-american exotic car. The SSC Tuatara was very unique with each model being built by hand in a special factory.

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2007 SSC Ultimate Aero TT (Top Speed: 256 mph)

The SSC Ultimate Aero TT held the title of the world’s fastest car in 2007, with a top speed of 256 mph. Its twin-turbocharged V8 produced 1,183 horsepower, delivering unmatched performance. Its achievement put American supercars on the global map at a time when they were uncommon.

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2019 Hennessey Venom F5 (Top Speed: 311 mph)

The 2019 Hennessey Venom F5 aims to break speed records with a projected top speed of 311 mph. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.6L V8 delivering 1,817 horsepower, it’s a well-known supercar. Hennessey also builds a custom version of the Ford Raptor and many other insanely fast vehicles.

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2006 Ford GT (Top Speed: 205 mph)

The 2006 Ford GT revived the legendary nameplate, offering a top speed of 205 mph. Powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, it combined retro styling with modern performance. This hit the market at the same time that the retro-inspired Mustang debuted as well. The modern Ford GT was a real treat.

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2022 Ford GT Heritage Edition (Top Speed: 216 mph)

The 2022 Ford GT Heritage Edition pays homage to racing history with its stunning design and advanced engineering. With a top speed of 216 mph, it’s powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing 660 horsepower, making it a modern masterpiece of engineering. Jay Leno and Tim Allen both own this car.

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2011 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo (Top Speed: 248 mph)

The Saleen S7 Twin Turbo was America’s first true supercar, with a top speed of 248 mph. Its twin-turbocharged 7.0L V8 produced 750 horsepower. This was a breakneck exotic car that pushed the boudnaries of performance. Anybody who knows about exotic cars knows about the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo.

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2020 Hennessey Venom GT (Top Speed: 270 mph)

The Hennessey Venom GT set speed records with its 270 mph top speed. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 7.0L V8 producing 1,244 horsepower, it combined lightweight engineering with extreme power. There were very few examples of the Venom GT that were produced making it extremely rare.

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1992 Vector W8 (Top Speed: 242 mph)

The 1992 Vector W8 was a futuristic supercar with aerospace-inspired design. Its twin-turbocharged 6.0L V8 produced 625 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 242 mph. Although it looked like a Lamborghini this thing was far from that. The unique styling and incredible performance was amazing.

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2018 Falcon F7 (Top Speed: 200 mph)

The Falcon F7 combined handcrafted luxury with extreme performance. Its 7.0L V8 produced 1,100 horsepower, achieving a top speed of 200 mph. The Falcon was designed to look different than anything else on the market. F7 was capable of reaching the type of speed that you can only dream of.

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2020 Drako GTE (Top Speed: 206 mph)

The Drako GTE was an electric supercar that redefines performance with its quad-motor setup producing 1,200 horsepower. With a top speed of 206 mph, it made electric rides look cool. Draco isn’t a well-known name in the performance world but the GTE was a notable sports car.

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2020 Corvette C8 Stingray (Top Speed: 194 mph)

The mid-engine Corvette C8 Stingray delivered 495 horsepower from its 6.2L V8, reaching a top speed of 194 mph. This was one of the fastest Corvette models to hit the market and the first of the C8 bodystyle. A Mid-engined Corvette was almost unheard of in the past but nowadays anything is possible.

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2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt (Top Speed: 163 mph)

The 2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt paid tribute to the classic film with its 480-horsepower V8. With a top speed of 163 mph, it combines modern performance with nostalgic design. The last time that we got a Bullitt edition Mustang was in the early 2000s and it was quite popular as well.

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2020 Cadillac CTS-V (Top Speed: 200 mph)

When the original CTS-V hit the market it was a game changer, and it was a bit confusing. Prior to the CTS-V there hadn’t been a performance version of the Cadillac. But, GM saw fit to start cramming Corvette engines into the sedate sedan and it created an epic performance car that is still fun to drive today.

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2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Top Speed: 165 mph)

The Chevrolet Camaro SS delivers thrilling performance with its 455-horsepower V8. With a top speed of 165 mph, GM wanted the Camaro to go out with a bang. The modern version of the Camaro hasn’t been as popular as it’s Dodge or Ford counterparts and as such the final year of production is among us.

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2019 Ford Shelby Super Snake (Top Speed: 196 mph)

The Ford Shelby Super Snake was a limited-edition Mustang with extreme performance. Its supercharged V8 produces 825 horsepower, reaching a top speed of 196 mph. This Mustang was almost exclusively built for the track and the Shelby engineering took things to the next level.

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2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona (Top Speed: 202 mph)

The Dodge Charger King Daytona celebrated the heritage of the Daytona nameplate with its 807-horsepower supercharged V8. With a top speed of 202 mph, it’s a special edition that pushed the limit of performance. Although Dodge isn’t building anymore V8 powered muscle cars hte King Daytona was a massive hit.

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2013 SRT Viper GTS (Top Speed: 206 mph)

The 2013 SRT Viper GTS delivered heart-pounding performance with its 8.4L V10 producing 640 horsepower. With a top speed of 206 mph, it’s put a bow on the Viper line. The Viper started out as a pet project of Chrysler Corp and became one of the most iconic automotive brands in history.

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The Fastest Cars Ever Built by American Automakers

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (Top Speed: 200 mph)

1970 Plymouth Superbird (Top Speed: 190 mph)

1968 Shelby GT500 KR (Top Speed: 140 mph)

1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Top Speed: 150 mph)

1965 Shelby Cobra 427 (Top Speed: 160 mph)

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 (Top Speed: 170 mph)

1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda (Top Speed: 155 mph)

1969 Pontiac GTO Judge (Top Speed: 140 mph)

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 HEMI (Top Speed: 150 mph)

1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429 (Top Speed: 145 mph)

2023 Ford Mustang GT500 (Top Speed: 180+ mph)

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye (Top Speed: 203 mph)

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE (Top Speed: 200 mph)

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R (Top Speed: 180 mph)

2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody (Top Speed: 196 mph)

2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (Top Speed: 195 mph)

2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (Top Speed: 168 mph)

2018 Dodge Demon (Top Speed: 168 mph)

2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (Top Speed: 200 mph)

2020 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat (Top Speed: 180 mph)

2023 SSC Tuatara (Top Speed: 282.9 mph)

2007 SSC Ultimate Aero TT (Top Speed: 256 mph)

2019 Hennessey Venom F5 (Top Speed: 311 mph)

2006 Ford GT (Top Speed: 205 mph)

2022 Ford GT Heritage Edition (Top Speed: 216 mph)

2011 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo (Top Speed: 248 mph)

2020 Hennessey Venom GT (Top Speed: 270 mph)

1992 Vector W8 (Top Speed: 242 mph)

2018 Falcon F7 (Top Speed: 200 mph)

2020 Drako GTE (Top Speed: 206 mph)

2020 Corvette C8 Stingray (Top Speed: 194 mph)

2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt (Top Speed: 163 mph)

2020 Cadillac CTS-V (Top Speed: 200 mph)

2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Top Speed: 165 mph)

2019 Ford Shelby Super Snake (Top Speed: 196 mph)

2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona (Top Speed: 202 mph)

2013 SRT Viper GTS (Top Speed: 206 mph)

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