On one side...2000 Ford Focus ZX3
On the other side...1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350
And on the middle...1965 Mustang fastback 289
So do they compare? At first sight these cars are as different as the perception of beauty at their respective eras, as the Ford advertising pictures above suggest. The reason of the comparison is for pure testing purposes and has not much meaning other than trying to frame the era of the development of the Shelby Mustangs compared to today and its place among its lesser peers
| Comparison Value | 1965 Mustang 289 fastback | 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350 | 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 |
| Engine | 289 cid (4272 cc) V8 | 289 cid (4272 cc) V8 | 134 cid (1983 cc) straight 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 | 10.5:1 | 9.6:1 |
| Max Horsepower | 225 @6000 rpm | 306 @6000 rpm | 130 @5300 rpm |
| Max Torque | 305 @3200 rpm | 329 @4200 rpm | 135 @4500 |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | FWD |
| Transmission | Four Speed | Four Speed T-10 | Five Speed |
| Curb Weight | 2800 lbs | 2800 lbs | 2551 lbs |
| Overall Length | 181.6 inches | 181.6 inches | 168.1 inches |
| Overall Width | 68.2 inches | 68.2 inches | 66.9 inches |
| Overall Height | 51.2 inches | 52.2 inches | 56.3 inches |
| Wheelbase | 108 inches | 108 inches | 103 inches |
| Track (Front/Rear) | 56/56 inches | 56/56 inches | 58.8/58.5 inches |
| Tire Size | 15 inch | Goodyear E70-15 | Goodyear 195/60R15 |
| 0-60 mph | 9 secs | 6.5secs | 9 secs |
| Standing 1/4 mile | 16.5 secs at 80 mph | 14.9 secs at 95 mph | 16.8 secs |
| Top Speed | 110 mph | 135 mph | 112 mph |
What does this exercise show? Other than the fact that these cars have about the same size tires, the '66 Shelby has twice the engine with three times the horsepower of the Focus and it clearly shows at the bottom line. The '65 Mustang has similar overall performance to the Focus with much higher horsepower and torque ratings. Trully, the modern advances in fuel injection, transmission construction etc, create average cars that can stand next to legends of the past in performance; however, as the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, nostalgia and the feeling of owning and driving something unique trully makes the Mustang a superior choice... Unless you want a daily driver in the year 2000, where the Focus sparkles. The performance values of the Shelby are similar to these of the 2000 Mustang GT (35 years later), which indicates that this car can push the performance levels even today.
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