While most people might automatically assume some of the fastest cars ever made are from Europe or Japan, that simply isn't the case because you've got some pretty serious speed machines conceived right here in America. This list is comprised of cars from both mainstream automakers and boutique manufacturers who produce just a handful of super-exotics per year.

Updated March 2023: Our list of the fastest American cars was already pretty comprehensive, but we've beefed it up with five more models, including some super fast 200 mph sedans and a hypercar made from 3D printed components. We've also included a 1970s classic with a claimed top speed of 242 mph. Find out which models they are below.

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1 SSC Tuatara: 295 mph

Occupying the top spot in the list is the SSC Tuatara. A successor to the Ultimate Aero, the Tuatara first debuted as a concept car at the 2011 Concourse' D'elegance in Pebble beach. It was conceived with one purpose - to reclaim the title of the Fastest car in the world from the Bugatti Veyron. Remember, this was 2011, and the Chiron didn't exist yet. The supercar was in development for the better part of a decade and the production model finally hit the road in 2018. Its V-8 engine was developed by Tom Nelson of Nelson Racing Engines. The 5.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 features a flat-plane crank and puts out a whopping 1,750 horsepower on 91-Octane gas. That is enough poke to propel the 2,749 pounds, rear-wheel-drive Tuatara that features an all-carbon construction to some serious speeds. SSC attempted a speed run back in October where the Tuatara hit an average speed of 316 mph. However, the legitimacy of this run couldn't be verified. Consequently, Jerod Shelby himself came forward and said that they'd try again and a few months later, SSC went for it again, this time at the Florida Kennedy Space Center where the Tuatara clocked in an average speed of 282.9 mph, making it the fastest production car. The American automaker was clearly not happy with this as it wanted to breach the 300-mph mark. While that didn't happen, SSC got a lot closer to it, this time touching 295 mph, and beating its own record to become the world's fastest production car!

2 Hennessey Venom GT: 270.49 mph

The Venom GT, just like the Tuatara, was also designed to be the fastest production car in the world, designed to take on the mighty Bugatti Veyron. The Venom GT is the brainchild of John Hennessey of Hennessey Performance Engineering based in Sealy, Texas. The tuner is renowned for turning up the heat performance on a range of vehicles, with everything ranging from trucks and SUVs to sports cars. But, about a decade ago, it decided to have a go at the world record for the fastest production car. The Texan tuner created a stir when it showcased a Lotus Elise-based supercar at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Venom GT features a 7.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that puts out 1244 horsepower, with power going to the rear wheels. In May 2014, Hennessey Performance pushed the Venom GT to V-max that managed to top out at a cool 270.49 mph, also done at the Kennedy Space Center. Now, although that was a number that was higher than the Veyron SuperSport, in order to claim the title of World's Fastest Production Car, 30 production cars and two back-to-back runs were needed, but Hennessey couldn't care less. Do keep in mind that Hennessy never really had the kind of resources that Bugatti had under the VW umbrella.

Related: Top 10 American Performance Cars

3 SSC Ultimate Aero: 257.41 mph

Turning it back to SSC once again, the third car on the list is the predecessor to the Tuatara, the SSC Aero, more specifically the Ultimate Aero. The Aero had a production run that was the better part of a decade from 2004 to 2013 and the Ultimate Aero was the car that was the car that went for the speed run. The hypercar made its international debut back in 2006. At the heart of the Ultimate Aero TT lies a 6.4-liter twin-turbo SSC V-8 engine that delivers 1,287 horsepower. The ultimate version had trick aero over the standard model including carbon-fiber louvers on the side intakes, and an active rear spoiler, which was quite advanced for its time. This RWD monster could hit speeds in excess of 250 mph as early as 2007. The same year the Ultimate Aero went for a series of high-speed passes, on a closed stretch of highway up in Washington state averaging 255.83 mph, hence helping it eclipse Bugatti's 253 mph back then. The SSC Ultimate Aero held this title until Bugatti came along with the Veyron Super Sport in 2010.

4 SCG 003S: 230 mph

The SCG 003, codenamed P33 is a limited run-supercar that was first announced by the boutique automaker back in 2013. Designed by Paolo Garella, the production version of the road-going racer first broke cover at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The firm chose to produce three variants, the Competizione, the Competizione Stradale, and the Stradale. The firm had previously developed and raced cars at places like Le Mans and the Nürburgring. The Stradale was essentially the road-going version and was by far the most forgiving of the three variants. However, that wasn't to say that it was forgiving in any way. Its BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V-8 put north of 800 horsepower, enough to take the 2866 pounds, SCG 003 to some serious speeds. How fast? Well, speeds in excess of 230 mph. The most extreme car of the bunch has to be the Competizione Stradale. While this car is street-legal, it is essentially a track weapon with license plates attached to it. The car features a beefier rear wing and a stripped-down cockpit. The SCG 003 is hand-built in a quaint little town up in Hollow, New York.

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5 Ford GT: 216 mph

The Ford GT is one of the most iconic model names in automotive history. The OG GT40s, of course, became world-famous for giving Ferrari a run for their money at Le Mans back in the mid- to late '60s. Now, nearly six decades on the GT name lives on. While the first-gen GT hit the road back in the mid-2000s and features a V-8, the current model for the first time features a V-6. Not just any V-6, but a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 647 horsepower. The top speed is rated at 216 mph with all that power channeled to the rear wheels. Back in 2016, Ford Performance along with Chip Ganassi Racing took the GT LM GTE-Pro back to Le Mans and managed to take an emotional victory celebrating 50 years of Ford's first-ever win in the 24 hours endurance race. Coming back to the road-going car, production began in 2016 and around 1,350 units have been planned in total.

6 Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1: 212 mph

This is a Vette that you don't want to mess with. The ZR1 nameplate is reserved for the Ultimate Corvette that money can buy and the C7 ZR1 is the ultimate Corvette in history. Chevy first used the ZR1 moniker on the C3 Vette back in the 70s, and since then, it has appeared on all generations except the C5. Coming to the engine, the C7 ZR1 features a 6.2-liter supercharged LT5 V-8 that puts out 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque. The ZR1 takes the already potent Z06 and turns it up a notch. The Aero package is made up of the splitter, a rear wing ad, and an underbody spoiler developed in collaboration with Pratt and Miller's racing team. The result? 0-60 in is decimated in 2.8 seconds and the top speed is rated at 212 mph. To give you some context about how big a deal these numbers are for the C7 Chevy Corvette ZR1 has more power than most Aventadors is faster than a Ferrari 812 Superfast snd has more than twice the torque of a Lexus LFA. But, that's not all, Chevy will do you one better. The optional ZTK Performance package for the ZR1 adds a higher fixed rear wing that generates 60-percent downforce as compared to the Z06 with the Z07 package. 2019 was the final model year of the C7 ZR1 Vette.

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7 Dodge Demon: 211 mph

We can't talk fastest American cars and not bring up muscle cars now, can we? In fact, before all these mid-engined American exotics came along, thorough-bred American muscle cars were not just the fastest cars Stateside, but some of the fastest in the world. Let's talk Demon. The Demon name itself dates back to the early 70s when it was used on the Dodge Dart. Today's SRT Demon is essentially a Drag Racer for the road. It is the most extreme Dodge Challenger that money can buy today. Under the hood lies a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI that puts out 840 ponies. With the right settings, the Demon is capable of 0-60 in 2.1 seconds topping out at 211 mph, and, did I mention this thing getting some air while launching? From the factory, Dodge offers what is called the Demon Crate. It comprises all the things that you'd need to annihilate the competition at your local drag strip. This car is all about 1/4 mile times, and it comes as no surprise that it comes with barely street-legal drag slicks, designed specifically for the Demon. Having said that with a 9.65-second 1/4 mile time, the Demon can't really take part in NHRA Drag races as any car with a sub-10 second time requires a roll cage.

8 Dodge Viper ACR: 206 mph

One of Dodge's most influential cars of all time was the Viper. The car initially debuted over three decades ago and it quickly gained a bit of a reputation for being one helluva of a car to drive. Why? It was thanks in part to that V-10 monster of an engine which I'll get to in a bit. The Viper was in production for over five generations, until production finally ended in 2017. The ACR version, which stood for American Club Racing by far was the most extreme form of Viper that you could get. The ACR package first appeared on the second-gen Viper back in 1999 and it was mainly about the additional aero bits. The Final ACR hit the road in 2015 on the gen-five (VX) Viper and was essentially a racing car for the road. Dodge claims that the aero package produced the highest downforce of any production car, i.e close to one ton at 177 mph. Its mammoth 8.4-liter naturally aspirated V-10 engine was good for 645 horsepower and it hit 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. The Viper ACR can hit a top speed of 206 mph. All this through a manual transmission and in a car that weighed the same as a Golf GTI. The Viper will remain as one of the all-time greats and the ACR was its most extreme incarnation.

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9 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody: 203 mph

Over the years we’ve seen plenty of cars that have ambitious speedometers, but the Dodge Charger Hellcat’s 220-mph speedo isn’t wishful thinking as this hunk of American muscle tops out at 203 mph. Unlike many of the cars on this list, the Charger Hellcat isn’t built purely for speed. With four doors, seating for up to five, and a spacious trunk, you can take a whole brood of passengers beyond 200 mph. The Charger’s eyebrow-raising top speed is courtesy of its 6.2-liter V-8 Hellcat engine. In standard Hellcat models, it pushed out 717 horsepower, but the tweaked version in the Redeye ups the ante to 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. The Hellcat Redeye will scorch the pavement and roar from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and past the quarter-mile mark at 11.9 seconds at 124 mph as it chases its top speed. In addition to its unique standing on this list as a 200-mph car that could double as a family sedan, the Hellcat Redeye is certainly among the most economical of the bunch, showing you don’t have to spend six figures for 200-mph speed. The 2023 Hellcat Redeye Widebody starts at just under $90,000.

10 Cadillac CT6-V: 200 mph

Cadillac’s V Series models have produced a score of Mercedes-AMG and BMW M-rivaling models over the past 20 years that combine a luxurious cabin with serious outright speed. And the fastest of the bunch is also the biggest — the CT6-V. More specifically, the CT6-V with GM’s Blackwing V-8, a 550-horsepower, twin-turbocharged unit that could scoot the sizeable sedan from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 200 mph. The Blackwing was the ultimate expression of the CT6-V with its dual, twin-scroll turbos with four camshafts and a max boost of 20 psi. Though the CT6-V Blackwing delivered seriously impressive specs and performance from a luxury sedan, the model had a short run despite quickly selling out in 2019. It was discontinued in 2020, but the Blackwing legacy lives on the CT5-V, which can also crack a claimed top speed of 200 mph.

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11 C8 Corvette: 194 mph

The C8 Chevrolet Corvette is an automotive blue-collar hero. With the C8 generation switching from a front-engine configuration, the Corvette is a seriously athletic mid-engine supercar that can challenge sports cars from around the world and charge to nearly 200 mph while ringing it at under $100,000. What makes the C8 Corvette interesting is there are sportier models offered, like the Z06 and the hybrid, all-wheel drive E-Ray that recently debuted. However, the base Stingray with its 6.2-liter V-8 dishing out 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque can achieve the highest top speed of the bunch at 194 mph. As this list shows, the C8 isn’t the fastest overall Corvette to hit the street and track, but go ahead and show us another mid-engine supercar that can crack 190 mph for under $70,000.

12 Hennessey Venom F5: 311 mph (Est)

The Hennessey Venom F5 is the successor to the legendary Venom GT. While that car was built on the underpinnings of a Lotus Elise, the Venom F5 was developed in collaboration with Delta Motorsports of Silverstone, England. Initial mockups of the car were first shown at the SEMA show in November 2017. The mid-engined supercar features a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a bespoke iron block that produces 1,817 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels. With a body comprising of a complete carbon-fiber construction, the Venom weighs 2950 pounds. It features active aero, which is apparently a first for Hennessey. Now, with those kinds of numbers, Hennessey is clearly looking to enter the 300 mph club. The Texas-based tuner claims a top speed of 311 mph, although for now, it hasn't gone beyond 271.6 mph. As with its predecessor, the F5 has been designed with one sole purpose, to be the fastest production car in the world. Production is limited to just 24 examples and customer deliveries are already underway.

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13 Saleen S7: 248 mph (Est)

The Saleen S7 was America's answer to the McLaren F1. It came to fruition around the turn of the century. The firm based out of California is, of course, most well-known for being a tuner of Ford Mustangs, but in the early 2000s, it decided to build its own mid-engined supercar to take on all those highspeed exotics from Europe and Japan. The S7 with its aggressive styling and mid-engined layout was essentially a racecar for the road. It was developed by Steve Saleen, Phil Frank, and Ray Mallock Limited. The body was made completely out of carbon fiber and the S7 weighed just 2,865 pounds. The car featured a modified 7.0-liter Ford V-8 engine that put out 550 horsepower. If that wasn't enough, Saleen turned up the heat with a twin-turbo version in 2005 that made 750 horsepower. The S7 is rated at an estimated top speed of 218 mph. The supercar was made in a limited number with just 100 examples in existence. This includes cars that were primarily designed for the racetrack.

14 Czinger 21C V Max: 253 mph (Claimed)

Made by California-based Czinger, the 21C V Max holds the claimed distinction of being the first Human/AI-designed and 3D-printed hypercar, and its wild, sleek looks fit that distinction. But perhaps even more impressive, the 21C V Max’s low-drag shape, which foregoes much of the downforce-creating elements of the standard 21C to achieve its top speed, and powerful hybrid V-8 allows it to reach an incredible, manufacturer-claimed top speed of 253 mph. Its hybrid powertrain is highlighted by a 2.88-liter, twin-turbo V-8 with a hybrid system to max out at 1,350 horsepower. The standard model only puts out 1,250 ponies. With a weight of just over 2,700 pounds, the single-seat hypercar produces incredible figures on top of its top speed. It will zip from 0-63 mph in just 1.9 seconds, putting it on par with the fastest EV hypercars in the world, and Czinger claims it will charge from 0 to 248 mph and back to a stop in just 27.1 seconds.

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15 Vector W8: 242 mph (Claimed)

Many of the cars featured on this list are from boutique manufacturers who only produce models in seriously strict numbers, but perhaps the most unique, and relatively obscure, model of them all is the Vector W8. Vector was founded in 1971 in California, and its W8 prototype gained plenty of attention for its first model, the W2, in the 1970s. In 1989, the company debuted the W8, powered by a massive 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that cranked out 625 horsepower at a time in which the Ferrari F40 was still boggling the minds of automotive enthusiasts with 471 horsepower, and the McLaren F1 was still years away from rolling off assembly lines. Vector claimed that by upping boost pressure, the W8 could actually achieve 1,200 horsepower, and thus it could max out at 242 mph and could run from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. However, part of the reason the W8 is often forgotten is these figures were never confirmed independently, and Vector and its supercar proved to be an automotive flop with just 17 examples sold.

Okay, I get that and there isn't a single EV on this list. They could have been included if I was looking at the quickest American cars. You'd have the usual suspects including the likes of the Model S Plaid, the Model X Plaid, the Lucid Air, and even the Rivian R1T. But if you're interested we have a list of the Fastest electric cars in the world.

As for gas-powered models, here is a list of some of the fastest American cars of all time.

FAQ

Q: What is the fastest street-legal car in America?

With a top speed of 295 mph, the SSC Tuatara is the fastest street-legal car in America as well as the fastest production car in the world.

Q: What is the fastest American Car 0-60 mph?

With a time of 1.98 seconds, the Tesla Model S Plaid is the fastest American car from 0-60 mph.

Q: What is the fastest American Muscle Car?

With a top speed of 211 mph, the Dodge Demon is the fastest American Muscle Car

Q: What is the fastest car made by Ford?

The 216-mph second-generation Ford GT is the fastest car made by Ford

Q: What is the fastest American car made in 2022?

The SSC Tuatara is the fastest car made in 2022

Q: What American-made Car has the most horsepower?

The Hennessey Venom F5 is the American made car with the most horsepower

Q: What is Chevy's fastest car?

With a top speed of 212 mph, The C7 Corvette ZR1 is Chevy's fastest car

Q: What is the 0-60 on a Dodge Demon

The 0-60 on a Dodge Demon is 2.1 seconds

Q: What is the fastest car Dodge ever made?

The Demon is the fastest car that Dodge ever made