The Ford Mustang has been around for more than six decades, evolving from a stylish 1960s pony car into today's performance machine with insane power. Over the years, the Mustang has worn many different personalities, from the raw simplicity of early V8 models to the high-tech muscle cars Ford builds today. But what happens when you line up every generation and let them settle the argument the old-fashioned way?In one of the most entertaining drag races in recent memory, seven different generations of Mustang were brought together to run the standing quarter mile. From a classic Fox Body to the latest Dark Horse, the lineup created a chance to see how decades of engineering progress translate into real-world speed. Can you predict how it went? The Lineup Spans Six Decades Of Mustang History “I’ve got every generation of Ford Mustang. The Gen 1, the Gen 2, the Gen 3, the Gen 4, the Gen 5, the Gen 6, and the very latest Gen 7. And I’m going to drag race them over the standing quarter mile,” Mat Watson, carwow host, starts us off. The race featured an impressive cross-section of Mustang history, starting with a 1978 Mustang II King Cobra and running all the way to the latest seventh-generation Dark Horse. Along the way were some familiar highlights, including an iconic Fox Body GT from the late 1980s and multiple versions of the Bullitt Mustang inspired by the legendary Steve McQueen film.Each car represented the performance expectations of its era. The King Cobra, for example, packed a 5.0-liter V8 but produced only 141 horsepower, a reminder of the difficult years for performance during the fuel and emissions era. The Fox Body GT improved things considerably with 228 horsepower and a lighter chassis, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. Even so, “power isn’t great, and it’s probably a low point in Mustang’s history," Watson said. carwow / YouTubeLater generations pushed things even further. The 2001 and 2008 Bullitt models brought stronger V8 power and more refined performance, while the 2018 Bullitt featured a 5.0-liter V8 producing 487 horsepower. By the time the latest Mustang Dark Horse rolled onto the starting line, the performance gap between generations was pretty interesting to see. Old School Charm Meets Modern Muscle carwow / YouTubeWatching the older cars line up next to their modern descendants highlights just how dramatically performance has changed over the years. The earlier Mustangs still deliver the classic V8 soundtrack and unmistakable style that made the name famous, but their performance numbers reflect a completely different era.carwow / YouTubeThe Fox Body, for example, was quick in its day and remains a favorite among enthusiasts for its lightweight feel and simple mechanical setup. But when compared with newer Mustangs featuring advanced traction systems, stronger engines, and better gearing, it becomes clear how much the formula has evolved. Many classic car purists will stick to that old-school feel over new tech when given the opportunity, but it is still cool to see them go head-to-head. Even the mid-2000s Bullitt models, which once felt like serious muscle cars, now sit somewhere in the middle of the performance spectrum. They still offer plenty of character, but newer Mustangs benefit from decades of improvements in power delivery, chassis tuning, and overall refinement. The Latest Mustang Shows Just How Far The Breed Has Come carwow / YouTubeIn the end, the newest car in the lineup proved exactly what most people expected. The seventh-generation Mustang Dark Horse dominated the quarter mile, completing the run in just 12.7 seconds. That result placed it comfortably ahead of the other generations and highlighted how far Ford has pushed the platform.Behind it, the 2018 Bullitt posted a respectable 13.4-second run, while earlier models trailed by increasingly larger margins. The older Bullitt models finished in the mid-14-second range, and the King Cobra and Fox Body landed near the back of the pack with times above 16 seconds. Pretty impressive, still. The race ultimately served as a perfect demonstration of Mustang’s long evolution. Each generation reflects the priorities and technology of its time, but together they tell a bigger story about how American muscle cars have developed over the decades. From the rumbling classics to the high-performance machines of today, the Mustang continues to prove why it remains one of the most recognizable performance cars ever built. Now, someone get a GTD in here and see how the older models do.