Handling benefits aside, one of the most important tech assets modern muscle cars pack compared to the 1960s originals involves the showroom presence of supercharged motors. However, this won't always guarantee that a modern factory monster of the sort can take down a classic that's been taken down the aftermarket path, as a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 recently found out.
The pony visited the Mission Raceway Park over in Canada in what appears to have been a private event—this is how an enthusiast who used the comments section of the YouTube clip below describes the gathering.
Judging by the fact that the dual-clutch animal delivers the kind of quarter-mile numbers found in the official specs, it came to the battle in factory form, which involves a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 760 hp. However, thanks to YT label Wheels, who caught the vehicle on camera, we can see the rear axle using Toyo R888R rubber, a popular choice among drag racers.
At first, the GT500 duked it out with a Dodge Coronet Plymouth Belvedere, which appears to be a 1967 model. And while we can't see below its hood scoop, it's 1,320-ft time clearly shows it has left its stock form way behind.
Then the 'Stang lined up next to a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS, which had to give up its hood for a noble velocity cause. While there are no specific details, we seem to be dealing with one hell of a N/A setup, while the drag-specific wheel and tire package helps the Chevy put the muscle down.
Come to think of it, the Camaro driver seemed to be engaged in a battle with his previous times rather than the GT500, at least if we judge by how serious his pre-race burnout was—you don't see somebody opening the passenger door to let the smoke out all that often.
To make things even more complicated, these races didn't use the Sportsman Tree that takes things gradually by seeing the amber lights flashing consecutively, with 0.5s breaks and a similar delay for the green light.
And while it looks like the drivers of the classic machines were the only ones that had properly prepared for this type of start, which is aptly called Instant Green and simulates a street stoplight, we'll remind you the clock only starts ticking once the vehicle gets off the line, so the 1/4-mile times were not affected by this.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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