Is the Ford Mustang GTD Really Worth $200k+ More Than an S550 GT500?

By Brett Foote - December 1, 2025

One can buy at least three S550-generation Shelby GT500s for the cost of a new Ford Mustang GTD, so why wouldn’t they?

There’s no denying the fact that the Ford Mustang GTD is the most track-capable OEM pony car to ever exist, thanks to its eye-opening performance at Germany’s Nurburgring. The GTD uses all sorts of trick tech to help it lap tracks in rapid fashion. But there are a couple of catches. For starters, you have to be approved to buy one.

And secondly, it starts out at a whopping $325,000.

Thus, it’s safe to say that the vast majority of us will probably never get to own a Ford Mustang GTD, let alone drive one, meaning that we’re left looking at buying a more normal pony car and modifying it, or perhaps snagging something from the aftermarket – or recent history. In that regard, the S550-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 remains an incredibly capable car, a few years after it was discontinued.

Austin Everett of the Speed Phenom YouTube channel is certainly familiar with the S550 GT500, as he owned two of them previously – modifying and racing each in various ways and on multiple occasions. Thus, in this recent video, he’s asking a pretty interesting question – is the Ford Mustang GTD really worth $200k or more over just buying a used GT500? Obviously, there isn’t much difference when it comes to power, at least.

The GT500 arrived packing the supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V8, making 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque, flowing to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, while the Ford Mustang GTD gets down the track thanks to another version of the 5.2-liter V8, churning out 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet, and it’s mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle.

Of course, there’s a reason why the Mustang GTD is so expensive – it’s fitted with all kinds of exotic kit, including extreme aero bits and pieces, a bespoke suspension setup, and even drag reduction mode. Interestingly, it’s also around 120 pounds heavier than the S550-generation GT500, too, which somewhat negates its 55 horsepower advantage in a straight line.

At the end of the day, both the S550 generation Shelby GT500 and Ford Mustang GTD are collector’s items that will likely only appreciate in value, which is already the case with the former. Most GTD owners probably won’t be driving their cars much, and certainly not wringing them out on the track, which is what they’re designed to do.

Thus, for someone who’s just looking for a fun street machine that’s easily obtainable – for around a third of the cost of a new GTD – the GT500 still makes a ton of sense.