America's most powerful cars

Meanwhile, safety requirements have led to the introduction of things like anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control. These computer-driven systems help drivers maintain control of their cars. That's good in any car but especially in cars that can go from a dead stop to a speeding ticket in under four seconds. Now, automakers can conscionably sell 600-and-some horsepower cars to the general public. Yes, they're still powerful and need to be handled responsibly but it's no longer exactly like selling some average guy a missile launcher.

The Shelby GT500 is currently out of production as Ford gets ready to begin producing the new-generation 2015 Mustang on which the next Shelby would be based. While Ford hasn't made any announcements yet regarding a new GT500, one could guess that Ford isn't going to just walk away from this powerful brand. Rumors are Ford may produce lower-powered GT350 but doesn't mean there won't be another GT500 and we're still betting there will be. But we'll have to wait and see.