Shelby has announced a limited-run speedster version of its Super Snake flagship, turning the Ford Mustang into an 615kW convertible to mark what would’ve been the 98th birthday of founder Carroll Shelby.
Shelby has announced a limited-run speedster version of its Super Snake flagship, turning the Ford Mustang into an 615kW convertible to mark what would’ve been the 98th birthday of founder Carroll Shelby.
The Super Snake Speedster transforms the V8 muscle car into a two-seat roadster. Radically reworking the exterior, the conversion adds a convertible tonneau and bespoke paintwork. It also gains special floormats and door sill plates, while optional painted stripes, a widebody package and Penske track suspension are available too. Before reading on, be warned, unfortunately the Shelby models are exclusive to the US market.
The Super Snake is a spiritual successor to the one-off experimental car created by Shelby in 1967. Priced from $133,785 (approximately AUD$172,000) in either coupé or convertible form, it’s powered by an 615kW reworking of Ford’s 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, paired to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Shelby president Gary Patterson said: “The new Speedster is stunning. From a styling perspective, there’s simply nothing like it on the road. With the widebody option, it’s a rare combination of sleek elegance and American muscle machismo. This is the automotive equivalent of a powerful heavyweight boxer fitted into a stylish, fine suit.”
The new open-top car heads up the four-model Bundle of Snakes collection unveiled by Shelby to mark the occasion, including the GT, the 800bhp-plus GT500SE and the hard-top Super Snake.
The entry-level GT model focuses less on brute power and performance and more on on “intense personalisation and daily driving,” according to the company.
Powered by a subtly uprated 357kW Coyote engine, it’s distinguished from Ford’s standard Mustang by a deepened draw hood with functional vents, Ford Performance suspension and a Borla cat-back exhaust. It rides on 20in wheels and is available from $62,310 (AUD$80,000).
The GT500SE keeps the look of the standard GT and adds considerably more power. It’s available from $104,900 (AUD$135,000), and a portion of the sale from each car is donated to Carroll Shelby’s Foundation for automotive education.
Will Trinkwon