1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

*SOLD OUT*

Shelby built a Shelby GT500 engineering study dubbed the ‘Super Snake’ for high-speed tire testing by Goodyear in 1967. To create the car, Shelby chief engineer Fred Goodell randomly chose a white fastback for transformation in 1967. He first replaced the engine with a lightweight medium riser 427 motor. The race motor was fitted with a host of modifications that was said to increase output to 520 horsepower. Shelby added heavy duty front disc brakes, Detroit Locker rear end, rear traction bars and special Goodyear Thunderbolt tires. The Super Snake sported unique triple stripes and a redesigned grille for improved air cooling.

Debuting for the media at Goodyear’s Texas test track, Shelby personally took the wheel of the Super Snake and was clocked at 170 mph. After turning the car over to Goodell for the 500-mile test, the Shelby Super Snake set a new top speed world record for its class.

When that successful test ended, Shelby American offered it to Mel Burns Ford in So Cal to retail to the public. Former Shelby American employee Don McCain approached Shelby about doing a limited run of cars. The Super Snake was an expensive vehicle, which discouraged McCain and Shelby from continuing the program leaving only one built by Shelby American. The one-off prototype changed hands a few times over the years. Most recently, a collector paid over $1.3 million for it.

Fifty years later, the company completed Carroll Shelby’s “unfinished business.” In 2018, Shelby American, Inc., and Legendary GT reintroduced the 1967 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake muscle car.

Only 10 fastbacks were scheduled to be built, each with original signatures by Carroll Shelby and Don McCain who spearheaded the program in 1967. The cars sold out within a matter of hours.

The Continuation Series Shelby GT500 Super Snakes are built from original 1967-1968 Mustangs, with factory VINs and original titles. The donor cars are stripped to bare metal for transformation into the mighty Shelby Super Snake. Customers were able to opt for an original donor period Shelby fastback for transformation into a Super Snake. Each receives a Shelby serial number for the official registry.

Just like 1967, a race-inspired big block V-8 remains the heart of the car. The Continuation Shelby Super Snake is powered by a 468ci FE big block engine from Carroll Shelby Engine Co. making over 550 horsepower. Both aluminum and cast-iron blocks were offered, backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. Just like the original, the cars have disc brakes and the famous triple stripes. Before his passing a few years ago, McCain was deeply involved in the Shelby engine program and promoted the idea of a rebirth of the Super Snake program. He signed ten dash plaques for the cars, as did Carroll Shelby.

“We’re fulfilling the dream of Carroll Shelby and Don McCain.”

-Gary Patterson

President, Shelby American