As part of the 26th Original Spring Classic auction, held May 14-19 in Indianapolis, Mecum Auctions will offer the unique 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake.
 This unique example will surely break the world record for a Super Snake at auction when it crosses the block |
A remarkable consignment, this is the only version of the Super Snake built in 1967. As a unique example, it is impossible to estimate its value and therefore the auction house has not specified a target price.
Having said that, it is likely to beat the price achieved by a 1967 GT500 converted to Super Snake specifications in September 2012, which sold for $330,000 to set a new world record for the model in the wake of Carroll Shelby's death in May.
The Super Snake began life as an ordinary 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang, which was intended as a demo vehicle for Goodyear's newly released Thunderbolt tyres.
However, Don McCain, sales manager for Shelby, saw the potential for even higher-powered cars than the GT500 and convinced Caroll Shelby, who had worked on Ford's GT40, to put the 427 cubic inch engine from the GT40 into the demo vehicle.
Now fitted with the same engine that secured a win for the GT40 MKII at Le Mans, the car was dubbed the Super Snake by McCain. It boasts 600 hp and can reach speeds of up to 170 mph. It averaged 147mph over 500 miles as part of the Thunderbolt tests.
Unfortunately, the buying public was unenamoured with the Super Snake upon its release, as it cost $8,000, significantly more than a 427 Cobra. As such, only this example was ever produced, although as of 2008 new Shelby GT500 Mustangs can be sent to Caroll Shelby's Special Performance Plant in Las Vegas to be converted to a Super Snake for an additional $30,000.
Sign up to our free weekly newsletter to see the results of this sale and more from the classic car community.
