Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Super Snake: from tire testing to Shelby’s flagship

Super Snake is not one particular model year. The name connects a unique 1967 GT500 prototype to several generations of high-performance Mustangs developed by Shelby American. The name was also used for an extraordinary Shelby Cobra in 1966, before being applied to a Mustang in 1967.

It is important to distinguish a standard Ford Shelby GT500 from a GT500 Super Snake. The latter underwent additional Shelby modifications, often involving a different supercharger, cooling, suspension, brakes and distinctive bodywork.

1967: the one-off GT500 Super Snake

The project was developed in connection with a Goodyear high-speed test of its Thunderbolt tires. Shelby engineer Fred Goodell chose a white GT500 Fastback and installed a racing-derived Ford 427-cubic-inch V8, often described as producing around 520 hp. This was considerably more ambitious than a regular 428-powered GT500.

The prototype featured strengthened braking and suspension components, a Detroit Locker rear differential and distinctive stripes. Testing took place at Goodyear’s San Angelo facility in Texas. Carroll Shelby reportedly drove the car to approximately 170 mph (274 km/h), while the roughly 500-mile endurance test averaged about 142 mph, according to the auction documentation.

Further production was contemplated but proved too costly. The unique original later became one of the most significant surviving Shelby Mustangs. It sold at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2019 for US$2.2 million.

See Mecum’s photographs and documentation of the authentic 1967 prototype →

2007–2010: a modern Super Snake on the S197

With the return of the Ford Shelby GT500 for 2007, Shelby American had a new starting point. The factory GT500 used a supercharged 5.4-liter V8. Shelby offered upgrades with output levels around 600 hp and above 725 hp, with more powerful configurations available in later packages.

Depending on the customer’s specification, modifications included superchargers, exhaust systems, brakes, dampers, wheels, engine cooling and exterior trim. Many cars were post-title conversions: first manufactured as ordinary Ford GT500s, then upgraded by Shelby. Their exact specifications must be checked individually.

2011–2014: aluminum block, 5.8-liter V8 and Wide Body

The 2011–2012 production GT500 gained an updated supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with an aluminum engine block and a factory rating of 550 hp. Shelby continued to offer higher-performance Super Snake packages.

The biggest step arrived in 2013–2014. Ford introduced the 5.8-liter supercharged “Trinity” V8, rated at 662 hp in the standard GT500. Shelby developed Super Snake versions with higher output, including packages rated at up to 850 hp.

The optional Wide Body package added wider fenders, wider tires and changes intended to improve traction and handling. A properly specified Super Snake was more than an appearance package.

2015–2017: the S550 Mustang GT

The S550 Mustang introduced independent rear suspension, and Shelby moved the Super Snake onto the 5.0-liter Coyote-powered Mustang GT rather than the GT500. Supercharged packages were quoted at around 670 hp, with optional upgrades to more than 750 hp. Suspension, braking and cooling were also improved. A 50th-anniversary edition arrived in 2017.

2018–2023: up to 825 hp and the Speedster

The updated S550 Super Snake offered substantially revised exterior styling, cooling and aero. Shelby quoted packages around 710 hp and an optional 825 hp version, subject to model year and specification. The special Speedster convertible gained a tonneau cover designed to give the appearance of a two-seater.

2024–2026: the S650 and 830+ hp

Shelby unveiled a new Super Snake based on the seventh-generation Mustang in 2024. The strongest versions use the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger and are advertised at over 830 hp. Packages also include aerodynamic, wheel, brake and suspension upgrades.

For 2026, Shelby describes both an approximately 480 hp naturally aspirated version and an 830+ hp supercharged version. Shelby says US production for that model year is limited to 300 cars. These are S650 Mustang GT-based vehicles, fundamentally different from the GT500-based Super Snakes of 2007–2014.

Models and key specifications

Figures reflect selected Shelby-announced packages; not every Super Snake of a given period has identical power output. US horsepower ratings are shown as quoted.

How to recognize an authentic Shelby Super Snake

Badges, stripes and aftermarket body panels do not establish a car’s provenance. For modern versions, verify the Carroll Shelby Manufacturing (CSM) number, build documents, original vehicle identification number and, where possible, Shelby American’s records or the Shelby Registry. GT500, GT500KR, GT350 and Super Snake are not interchangeable designations.

The 1967-style Continuation program announced in 2018

Shelby announced ten modern Continuation examples designed to recreate the original 1967 Super Snake concept, using donor Mustang bodies and period-inspired 427 V8 engines. They are later Shelby-built tributes and must not be confused with the single prototype built in 1967.