Mustang Variants South of the Border That Americans Missed On

What Makes It Special

In 1965, Eduardo Velázquez, Ford’s Mexican distributor, bought a high-performance Mustang from Carroll Shelby, which Ken Miles had used for GT350 suspension testing.

Velázquez’s racing success led to a partnership with Shelby, forming Shelby de Mexico in Nuevo León. The company transformed standard Mustangs into Shelby GT350s, producing 169 units in 1967 and 203 in 1968.

In 1969, they created 306 unique GT-350s with fiberglass modifications, some later imported to the U.S. Shelby de Mexico continued until 1971, building around 200 GT-351s and 300 Shelby Mavericks, leaving a lasting impact on Mexican automotive history.

What Makes It Special

In the 1970s, Ford of Mexico adapted the Pinto-based Mustang II to meet local regulations and infrastructure by fitting it with a 302 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 205 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the underwhelming 88 horsepower in the base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 105 horses in the 2.8-liter V6 of its American counterpart.

Unlike the underpowered American version, this Mexican-exclusive model featured extensive modifications, including repositioned engine mounts, upgraded radiators, and dual exhausts.

These changes allowed the Mustang II to retain its muscle car essence and comply with Mexico’s pollution standards. The result was a unique, high-performance Mustang II that outclassed the U.S. model, making Mexico the only country to offer this powerful V8 option in the otherwise compact Mustang II.

What Makes It Special

If you’re an enthusiast of Ford's Fox platform you could easily mistake the car you’re looking at for a Capri, but it's a Mexican-built third-generation Mustang. The Mexican-built third-generation Mustang, introduced in 1979, stands out as the most distinct from its U.S. counterpart.

Unlike the American model, which had a four-cylinder base, the Mexican version prioritized the 5.0-liter V8, slightly more powerful due to less emissions equipment.

In 1983, it featured a unique bubbleback rear window from the Mercury Capri, reflecting Ford of Mexico's approach to market the Mustang as a luxury vehicle.

Ford’s Mexican subsidiary often incorporated Mercury parts, using Grand Marquis components on Ford LTDs and Zephyr parts on Fairmonts, further differentiating its lineup from the U.S. models.

What Makes It Special

The 1984 Ford Mustang SVO was designed as a high-performance model to rival imports like the Toyota Celica GT-S and Honda Prelude. In the U.S., it featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque.

However, Ford’s Mexican version took a different approach, equipping the Mustang SVO with a modified 5.0-liter HO V8 engine, derived from the 1984 Mustang GT. This setup included a 600-cfm Holley carburetor, Dacia headers, Dana 44 differential and Bilstein shocks.

Available in hardtop and fastback (bubbleback) styles, it combined power with the unmistakable V8 sound, enhancing its appeal south of the border.

What Makes It Special

Introduced in 2011 as a 2012 model, the limited-edition Mustang ST offered a sportier handling version of the base V6 Mustang, featuring a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT engine producing 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, similar to the Mustang V6 Premium sold in the U.S., but the ST could accelerate 22% quicker thanks to a shorter-ratio differential.

Exclusive design touches included a chrome grille, a non-functional hood scoop, 19-inch wheels, and side sport stripes. Equipped only with a six-speed manual transmission, it boasted a short-throw shifter and an upgraded exhaust.

Suspension and brakes incorporated components from the Shelby GT500, enhancing handling and braking. Priced around $30,000, it offered a more dynamic experience compared to the base V6 while remaining affordable.