The 2017 Mustang GT Shelby Super Snake 50th Anniversary Edition Pays Tribute to the 1967 One-of-a-Kind Prototype

As Ford introduces their latest Mustang GT Shelby Super Snake, we look back to the original 1967 prototype that started it all. It's hard to imagine that a promotional idea that never went to production would turn into one of the iconic supercars of our dreams.

1967 Mustang Shelby Super Snake Prototype

Those must have been heady days, when Ford Motor Company decided to green light production of a supercar with the intent of production of 50 special editions. This demonstrates just how special the Ford Mustang was to the brand. And due to the success of the Shelby GT500, and the fact that Carroll Shelby was a distributor of Goodyear Tires, execs turned to him to help promote a high-speed test of new Thunderbolt tires.

And so the Shelby engineers decided to build a special lightweight 427 racing engine with a tailor-made rear axle, transmission, and the promoted Thunderbolt tires. Along with other unique Shelby-esque modifications, the end result was a phenomenal test run in San Angelo, Texas, but a car deemed un-marketable at the time. The planned limited release of 50 cars is cancelled.

Nicolas Cage Drives the 1967 Model 33-Years Later and a Star is Born

Flash forward to the year 2000. Nicholas Cage drives this beast of a machine in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, and now everyone in the world wants to know, "What's the Mustang Shelby Super Snake, and how do I get one?"

40-Years After Original, the Super Snake Is Resurrected for the 2007 Shelby GT500 Model

Because of the newfound popularity of the Shelby Super Snake brand, a modern version is introduced in 2007 to thunderous applause. More models are released in the coming years, bringing to life what was once practically a myth. 

For more details on the full history of the Shelby GT-500 Super Snake.

2017 Mustang GT Shelby Super Snake 50th Anniversary Edition

Now the 2017 Super Snake has arrived.  Shelby American worked closely with Ford Performance to make this new 50th Anniversary Edition the best one ever.  Gary Patterson, Shelby American President stated: “We compared the groundbreaking 1967 and 2007 model Super Snakes to other cars of their era when setting the performance parameters for our anniversary issue.  The new Super Snake matches those cars’ competitive advantages.  The newest Super Snake is both extraordinarily fast and a thrill to drive.  In a world filled with sterile cars, it’s a throwback to a time when people enjoyed driving.”

Supercharged “Coyote” V8 power

That competitive advantage starts under the hood with the already strong GT’s 5.0L “Coyote” V8.  Supercharger options produce as much as a very stout 750 HP and 700 pound-feet of torque.  With this option, 0-60 MPH time is just 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.9 seconds.  This kind of performance should easily dominate all versions of the Dodge Hellcat. 

Unique body features and upgraded suspension

To set this model apart from the stock Mustang GT it gets a new hood, rockers, spoilers, splitters, grills, fog lights, rear tail panel, and a rear diffuser assembly. Ford also makes available all their factory colors.   Of course, it gets all the striping and badging inside and out that we have come to expect from the Super Snake.

To improve handling and safety the independent suspension was upgraded as well as the brakes.  Transmission choices include either manual or automatic.  The total cost of the complete package is listed at $69,995.  With a limited run of just 500 to be built, now would be the time to order that new Super Snake that you have always wanted. 

What started as a single prototype 50 years ago has become a refined, high-performance machine with probably the longest name of any new car on the road.