The 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake was a one-off demonstrator built for Goodyear tire testing, not a production Mustang. Reports say it reached 170 mph during testing, while a proposed 50-car run was dropped after its intended price was put at $7,500 to $8,000. The Ferrari comparison belongs to a later chapter: at a 2019 auction, the Super Snake sold for less than a LaFerrari offered at the same event.
What was the 1967 Shelby Super Snake?
The Super Snake began as a 1967 Shelby GT500 modified at Goodyear’s request to demonstrate the durability of its Thunderbolt tires. MotorTrend’s April 18, 2023 account describes Shelby removing the GT500’s 428-cubic-inch, 355-hp V-8 and fitting an aluminum 427 Mk II engine related to the unit used in the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40. MotorTrend gives the replacement engine’s output as 520 hp; that is the publication’s retrospective specification, not a modern independent dyno result. MotorTrend
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Solido - 1:18 1967 Shelby GT500 - Grey & Black Stripes | $62.13 | Buy on Amazon |
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Solido 1:18 Scale Shelby GT500 Racing Tribute 1967 Diecast Model Car S1802911 | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Aspect | Standard 1967 GT500, as described by MotorTrend | Super Snake |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Series GT500 | Goodyear Thunderbolt tire-test demonstrator |
| Engine | 428-cubic-inch V-8 | Aluminum 427 Mk II |
| Reported output | 355 hp | 520 hp, per MotorTrend’s retrospective account |
| Production status | Series model | One original example; the proposed 50-car run did not proceed |
The production distinction matters: “Super Snake” later appeared in other Shelby-related contexts, but those should not be confused with this original 1967 test car. The reports describe only one original example. MotorTrend and Motor Authority
Did the Shelby Super Snake really reach 170 mph?
Historical accounts report that it did during the tire test, but 170 mph should be understood as a reported test-run figure—not as an independently documented top-speed rating for a production car. Motor Authority says Carroll Shelby ran the car to 170 mph, then Shelby engineer Fred Goodell averaged 142 mph over roughly 500 miles. Motor Authority
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- Brand new 1/18 scale diecast car model of 1967 Shelby GT500 Gray Metallic with Black Stripes die cast model car by Solido. Brand new box. Real rubber tires.
- Die Cast Collectable
Motor Trend Classic likewise reports speeds up to 170 mph and a 142-mph average over 500 miles. These figures describe the reported Goodyear test, rather than a repeatable specification with a stated modern test protocol. Motor Trend Classic
Why was only one Shelby Super Snake built?
The idea was to turn the demonstrator into a limited run of 50 cars, but the proposed price is reported inconsistently. MotorTrend and Motor Authority give $8,000; Motor Trend Classic gives $7,500 and says the first car, associated with dealer Mel Burns Ford, took a long time to sell. The best-supported way to state the intended price is therefore $7,500 to $8,000, rather than a falsely precise single figure. MotorTrend, Motor Authority, and Motor Trend Classic
In the accounts available, the combination of the high proposed price and the slow sale of the initial car helped stop the plan. The Super Snake remained a single original car rather than becoming a 50-car model line.
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- SOLIDO BRAND QUALITY: Solido is known for producing high-quality diecast model cars with exceptional detail, durable construction, and accurate representations of real vehicles. Each model is crafted with precision and built to last.
- SHELBY OFFICIALLY LICENSED MODEL: This Shelby GT500 Racing Tribute model is produced under official license, allowing Solido to reproduce the distinctive styling and trademarks associated with the Shelby name. The replica reflects the iconic 1967 Shelby GT500, a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang developed by Carroll Shelby. Official licensing ensures that key design elements such as the body shape, badging, and visual identity associated with Shelby vehicles are faithfully reproduced.
- FEATURES & DETAILS: This 1:18 scale Shelby GT500 Racing Tribute diecast model measures approximately 10 inches in length and recreates the proportions of the classic 1967 muscle car. The model features opening front doors that allow a view of the interior detailing including seats and dashboard elements. The Racing Tribute finish highlights the performance character of the GT500. The model is designed for display and does not include a separate display base.
- TOP QUALITY MATERIALS: The model is manufactured using a diecast metal body combined with precisely molded plastic components for the interior, wheels, and fine exterior details. The paint finish and exterior graphics are applied to reproduce the appearance of the Shelby GT500 Racing Tribute styling. Body contours, grille openings, wheels, and interior elements are carefully executed to reflect the design of the original vehicle.
- COLLECTIBLE DISPLAY ITEM: Intended for collectors aged 14 and above, this Shelby GT500 Racing Tribute model is designed as a display collectible rather than a toy. Its classic American muscle car design, detailed craftsmanship, and large 1:18 scale presentation make it a strong addition to automotive collections. This diecast model is also a suitable gift for Shelby enthusiasts, classic car fans, and collectors of historic performance vehicles.
Was the Shelby Super Snake more expensive than a Ferrari?
Not on the evidence of the Ferrari comparison commonly attached to this story. Motor Authority reports that the Super Snake sold for $2.2 million at a Mecum auction in January 2019, while a Ferrari LaFerrari sold for $3.3 million at the same auction. Those are later auction results, not a comparison between the Super Snake’s proposed 1967 price and a Ferrari’s new-car price in 1967. Motor Authority
The 1967 figure itself is reported as $7,500 to $8,000 for the proposed Shelby run. The available accounts do not establish that this exceeded the contemporary price of a Ferrari; they support a separate story about how rare the surviving original became at auction decades later.
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