Hennessey Performance has a storied history of making the fastest American vehicles even faster. The company’s most recent conquest is the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, an already-powerful pony car. However, the new Hennessey Venom 1200 boasts $60,000 in upgrades.

The factory 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is already a beast

At first glance, the 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 doesn’t seem like the type of car to need upgrades. After all, Ford has already designed it as one of the highest performers on the road.

For a starting price of $79,420, buyers get a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane gasoline. Also, while lower Shelby trims come with a six-speed manual or 10-speed selectable automatic transmission, only a seven-speed dual-clutch is available with the GT500.

Given the engine’s size and power, the GT500 burns fuel quickly, with a measly 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.

Unfortunately for hopeful buyers, the chance to own one may have passed unless they’re open to purchasing a pre-owned model. Ford killed the Mustang Shelby GT500, so don’t expect to see any 2023 or 2024 models.

The Hennessey Venom 1200 upgrades the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Though the original Ford engine is already supercharged, Hennessey adds a larger 3.8-liter supercharger under the hood. Furthermore, the company upgrades the air/oil separation system, fuel rails and injectors, transmission, induction system, and more. Hennessey even tests the vehicle extensively to ensure it performs as intended.

Overall, these Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 upgrades lead to a 58% increase in performance, resulting in 1,204 hp and 902 lb-ft of torque when using E85 fuel. Also, the Venom 1200 costs a whopping $59,950 over the Shelby GT500’s starting price. Hennessey says it will produce only 66 Venom 1200 units, with badging and plaques to match.

Buyers can get the 1,204-hp muscle car through Hennessey or a few authorized Ford retailers. The vehicle tuner even provides a 12,000-mile warranty with purchase. In addition, a cheaper Venom 1000 generates 1,000 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, in case the Venom 1200 is too much.

Hennessey’s other model upgrades

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 isn’t the only American model to get the Hennessey treatment. Other examples are the Ram 1500 TRX, Chevy C7 Corvette Z06, Chevy Camaro ZL1, Cadillac CTS-V, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Durango.

Hennessey-tuned variants are impressive alternatives for buyers who want more oomph from their factory models.

In the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX’s case, the truck is already powerful, rolling off the production line with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. However, an upgraded supercharger and thermostat, better fuel injectors, and more from Hennessey boost the output to 1000 hp and 969 lb-ft of torque. The Hennessey Mammoth 6X6 mod also makes the Ram 1500 TRX bigger, taller, and longer.

Chevrolet drops a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 making 650 hp and an equal amount of torque in its top-of-the-line 2023 Camaro ZL1. However, interested buyers can also get a much more powerful Hennessey-tuned ZL1. It harnesses 1000 hp and 883 lb-ft of torque.

Most of the other Hennessey models mentioned above feature similar performance and body upgrades.