One-of-eight RHD Shelby Super Snake for sale
More power than a GT500 and a steering wheel on the correct side? Where do we sign?
The one bit of solace that can be found in the Blue Oval’s axing of the Focus RS (and soon the Focus ST too) is that we can at least scratch the fast Ford itch with a Mustang. And we’ve had some of the good ones, too. Not only did the manufacturer ditch the greener four-cylinder version in the UK to focus squarely on the V8, but we also got the brilliant Bullitt edition and the arguably even better Mach 1. After years of watching Americans have fun in Mustangs from this side of the pond, it’s good to finally feel a part of the party.
Even better, Ford has found a way to sneak the new Dark Horse into the UK, which should be due at some point this year. With any hope, it’ll be open to throwing a few more limited editions our way, because while the aforementioned specials were very much welcome here, the car giant typically keeps the best ones to itself. Think the Shelby GT350 and its flat-plane crank V8, or the supercharged lunacy of the GT500. Granted, they pop up occasionally in the PH classifieds, but they’ll be left-hookers imported from the States. Which is precisely what makes this Super Snake all the more special, because it’s a genuine UK-grade Shelby with a steering wheel on the correct side.
Whereas the GT350 and GT500 were ground-up Ford Performance cars, the Super Snake was essentially a gargantuan upgrade kit that could be retrofitted to a Mustang GT through an authorised workshop. At the time this Super Snake was put together, there was only one ‘modder’ in the UK that had been blessed with Shelby’s approval, and that was Bill Shepherd Mustang. So while it’s been assembled in Britain, the RHD Super Snake comes with a coveted ‘CSM’ chassis number (every official Shelby gets one) and a place on the Shelby register.
So it’s as Shelby as they come - although you need only look at the spec sheet to know that. The upgrades are numerous and extensive, with power rocketing from 410hp to 800hp courtesy of a Whipple supercharger, cooling improvements and a new exhaust system. Then there are the brakes: heavy-duty Wilwood callipers front and rear for a much-needed boost in stopping force, while the Ford Racing suspension and a limited-slip differential helps the chassis keep up with the nearly double the standard power.
If you want an idea of what the must feel like, then watch this video of the car you see here being piloted up the hill at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed. ‘A bit of a handful’ would be putting it lightly, but what else would you expect from an 800hp+ Mustang? Or want, because Ford sold a more track-focused Mustang over here, yet we’ve never had a ‘Stang quite so ludicrously powerful.
Nor will there be many more opportunities to get one, at least with the steering wheel on the right. While 300 Super Snakes were officially produced, the seller claims this is only one of eight right-hand drive cars made, presumably all converted by Bill Shepherd Mustang. The asking price is £85,000, which is a fair hike over a regular GT but about on par with other Shelbys. This GT350R commands an extra £15k, while the seller of this GT500 is looking for a fiver shy of £120k. All are magnificent, but the Super Snake’s the fastest of the lot and has its cabin configured properly. We’ll use the money saved to pay off the fuel bills.
I get that PH is more about advertorials than content these days, but please gents, try a bit harder. Mustangs are no longer just about headline horsepower, straight line drag racing and spinning out from cars and coffee events.
We spent ages wanting one, could go and buy one (GT, not this) now but the urge has gone, cant imagine flinging one down the country lanes round here, thats not what its for, they seem to do badly in drag races against stuff with 100 bhp less.
Not all about speed and whatever, its a cool car but not sure I still want one, am I right in saying an M4 pisses all over it in every area apart from not being a Mustang ?
We spent ages wanting one, could go and buy one (GT, not this) now but the urge has gone, cant imagine flinging one down the country lanes round here, thats not what its for, they seem to do badly in drag races against stuff with 100 bhp less.
Not all about speed and whatever, its a cool car but not sure I still want one, am I right in saying an M4 pisses all over it in every area apart from not being a Mustang ?
I still personally lust/hanker after a 5.0 V8 Mustang regardless though(but I think that is mainly because my Dad had a 1979 5.0 V8 for 10 years though, so I'd like to tick that box as well).
We spent ages wanting one, could go and buy one (GT, not this) now but the urge has gone, cant imagine flinging one down the country lanes round here, thats not what its for, they seem to do badly in drag races against stuff with 100 bhp less.
Not all about speed and whatever, its a cool car but not sure I still want one, am I right in saying an M4 pisses all over it in every area apart from not being a Mustang ?
I still personally lust/hanker after a 5.0 V8 Mustang regardless though(but I think that is mainly because my Dad had a 1979 5.0 V8 for 10 years though, so I'd like to tick that box as well).
I actually miss having a Ford in my life, and the V8 Mustang would be a nice way back in I think.
I actually miss having a Ford in my life, and the V8 Mustang would be a nice way back in I think.
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