By John 
Ford’s $327,960 Mustang GTD was meant to be the ultimate expression of performance from Dearborn’s pony car lineup. With 815 horsepower and race-derived technology, it’s a street-legal extension of Ford’s GT3 program — but in a market where muscle car tuning thrives, aftermarket legends are proving that power and exclusivity don’t have to cost a fortune.
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When the seventh-generation S650 Mustang launched, enthusiasts eagerly awaited modern takes on icons like the GT350 and GT500. Ford instead offered the naturally aspirated Dark Horse as the flagship, leaving performance fans hungry for more. The GTD was meant to fill that void — until the aftermarket stepped in.
Shelby American, still carrying Carroll Shelby’s legacy, was among the first to answer. The new Shelby GT350 and GT350R boast up to 830 horsepower, starting at around $110,000 — roughly a third of the GTD’s price. The 2025 Shelby Super Snake continues that theme with 830+ horsepower for $170,000, while the 2026 Super Snake-R pushes past 850 horsepower at $225,000, wrapped in widebody aggression.
Not to be outdone, Hennessey Performance’s Super Venom HPE850 turns the Mustang GT or Dark Horse into an 850-horsepower monster, starting at $149,950. Roush Performance offers a simpler path: add $10,000 for a supercharger kit and reach 810 horsepower. Even Saleen’s 302 Black Label offers 850 horsepower for $125,075 — undercutting both Ford and its aftermarket peers.
But perhaps the most striking contender is Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s 2026 Mustang RTR Spec 5, a supercharged 870-horsepower beast starting at $159,999. Blending cyberpunk-inspired styling with race-ready tuning, it delivers brutal performance and individuality without breaking the bank.
Ford’s GTD may carry the prestige of factory engineering, but tuners like Shelby, Hennessey, and RTR are proving you can buy double the attitude — and more horsepower — for half the price.
Shawn Henry