Chevrolet came out ahead of Ford multiple times, both when it comes to production cars and its innovative concepts.

What is a concept? An idea, the embryonic stage of what will one day become a work of genius, or perhaps end up on the cutting room floor. Such is the life of an automotive concept, which often carves the path into the future but is left behind when it comes down to production. The idea (or shall we say concept) of concepts is closely associated with the spirit of Americans, with its endless pursuit of a better, stronger future. Whether any of it is actually possible, in many cases, seems to be an afterthought.

The most iconic American brands have been making concepts for decades to edge out and even scare off their competition. Two of the biggest players in the market are obviously Ford and Chevrolet (GM). The epic rivalry between the two companies has done wonders for innovation in the automotive industry as they both take competition very seriously. Here are five times Chevrolet seemed to have come out a bit ahead of Ford's already impressive builds.

Though often misnamed "Mustang Mach 2" this prototype was purposefully designed as a standalone mid-engine sports car. In fact, Mustang was never mentioned in any official documents pertaining to the concept. The prototype came equipped with a 289 V-8, which is the high-performance sports car we never got to enjoy.

Unfortunately the car buckled under testing conditions and was scrapped soon thereafter. Though rumors still circulate on internet forums that an undestroyed model of this prototype still exists out there somewhere.

Predating the Mach 2 by 5 years this 327 V8 went on to inspire the design of every Corvette Stingray of the 1960s. Appropriately named after the most dangerous swimmer in the sea, this prototype was a beast by every definition of the word.

In addition to its superior performance-based features, the Shark XP-775 sported top of the line aesthetic features like retractable handles, a fully plastic roof and the much-debated, and perhaps dangerous, sun reflecting interior aluminum deign.

Projected to return in a limited line with a nerfed engine, this V10 beast was one of the most impressive feats of Ford’s innovation.

Though the V10 design proved to be unmanageable for a Ford production sports car, a V8 version of the GR-1 was later scheduled to release. However, the 2020 pandemic put the potential production of the car in a limbo that it has yet to escape from.

Related: 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 Gets Supercharged V8 & Insane Horsepower Thanks To Superformance

With an unreal 1000-hp engine at its core, there isn’t much that is more impressive than this collaboration between the legendary manufacturer and the beloved racing brand, Hoonigan.

It's ZZ632 engine looks like it is straight out of a motorhead's wildest dreams, in fact, it is the most powerful crate engine produced by Chevrolet to date. Though many of the luxury items that people expect from production cars have been stripped from this design, the car is completely functional and even replicable by the bravest of enthusiasts.

Related: Hoonigan Reveals How They Built This Camaro Around Chevrolet's Most Powerful Crate Engine

Looking like an enlarged toy car, this V-12-powered car helped Ford reinstate its status as a manufacturer of powerful machines in 1996. In fact, out of the two models ever produced only one was functional, nicknamed Go, Indi-Go.

Perhaps the "Indi" label was more appropriate than thought since the car borrowed heavily from both Formula 1 and Indy designs of the time.

Released six years prior, this 650 hp Corvette prototype was one of the definitive steps Chevy took toward a mid-engine Corvette design. In fact, the 1990 CERV III was close enough to get produced to be seriously inspected and built to street-legal restrictions.

It was quite ahead of its time and offered features like a lowered body, a slick body design, and 90s signature scissor doors.

Based on a community video game build of the “ultimate racing machine” this concept was put together by the engineers at Ford, proving once again that Life does, in fact, imitate art.

Though the concept is far from functional, it does an incredible job of tethering a connection between the virtual racing and automotive industry. Perhaps this will go on to build upon digital car niches such as car NFTs.

Nicknamed “the car of the future”, this concept telegraphs the progression of automation perfectly. Looking like a cross between an insect and an alien spaceship, It imagines aspects such as cutting-edge sensor and navigation technology that will enable seamless driverless operation.

Though, seems every time manufacturers try to predict the future, the first thing they make sure is to make the seats overly complicated and ergonomically unsound.

Crossovers often get a bad rap for being underpowered and directionless, it seems that based upon the need of the driver, it would be easier to invest in a sedan or SUV respectively. However, the new Ford Bronco concept has firmly solidified the crossover's role in any type of challenging environment.

However, Built to handle any type of adventure, these cozy yet tough bronco concepts seem to be a must-have for families who love to explore together. Fans of the concept will thankfully be able to soon experience the adaptability of the Built Wild Bronco firsthand.

Related: The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport SUV Will Take You Anywhere

Based on the design of the Silverado, this 650-horsepower behemoth serves as a reminder that it is difficult to compete with the off-road capabilities of a crate engine Chevy.

Being one of the biggest talking points of the recent SEMA Show, the concept imagines a true all-terrain vehicle equipped with monstrous 20-inch wheels, a 10-speed transmission, and a vehicle diagnostic system conveniently controlled right from the infotainment screen.

Gor Babakhanyan is a young writer with an infinite curiosity and love for the automotive industry. Having grown up in a family of car enthusiasts, he has felt a connection to automobiles since childhood. Gor has promised to love and cherish his lime green convertible Mustang to the last mile, until lemon law do them part.