Best Muscle Cars
Shelby American Reveal 825HP Super Snake Speedster
By Dave Ashton
Shelby American, the outfit birthed by the late Carroll Shelby has been working away in the background on some very tasty, high-powered vehicles. These vehicles come in the form of three new Mustangs. Most notably a 2021 Shelby Super Snake Speedster featuring 825 hp, and only 98 examples being made to mark Carroll Shelby’s 98th birthday.
The outfit has clearly been keeping an eye on the horsepower ratings from other makers in the muscle car scene. Upping the ante to 825 hp via the Super Snake range with the help of the Coyote supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine, Whipple supercharger, and Shelby Extreme cooling system. The exhaust note will also be louder thanks to a custom Borla exhaust. Other enhancements include a reinforced rear suspension, rear stabilizer bar, Shelby brakes, custom springs, and lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels.
Image via Shelby American
As for styling, Shelby is using the 2018 exterior with widened rear and front fenders, a new front bumper, a carbon fiber performance hood, an air scoop, and a new rear bumper. Stripes are an optional extra, and you can supply your own Mustang GT for the conversion. If you supply your own vehicle the conversion will cost $80,000 or $133,785 for the full works. Each vehicle will also have a 36,000-mile warranty. Part of the cost price will go to the Carroll Shelby Foundation, along with money to pay for the development of the dual-clutch transmission to handle the extra wallop of power.
Image via Shelby American
Possibly the most eye-catching addition to the 2021 Shelby Super Snake lineup is the Speedster with the additional widebody kit. The whole package can be had for $4,995 which includes Penske track suspension, harness bar, and rear seat delete.
Also on offer is a 2021 Shelby GT500 upgrade along with a choice of bolstering the regular GT. The GT500 can be upgraded to deliver ‘over 800 horsepower and comes in at the price of $104,900 counting in the donor base car. The GT version will be treated to a Ford Performance suspension, hood vents, styling upgrades, 20-inch wheels, and a Borla exhaust. There could also be the option of adding a 700hp supercharger, with pricing for this feature currently undisclosed.
Horse Power Wars and Collectability
Up until recently, it was the limited-edition Dodge Challenger SRT Demon which was the head of the class with 808hp. This model was limited to just 3,300 units. Now the company has the widely available Super Stock model producing 807hp, but he still quite limited in supply. The Super Stock houses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of a 10.5-second quarter-mile at 131 mph straight from the factory.
The new 2021 Shelby Super Snake with 825hp is sure to whet the appetite of muscle car fans. Maybe not enough to change allegiance from one brand to another. But for those who aren’t attached to brand loyalty, the 2021 Shelby Super Snake could be a very collectible option and continues to push the power ratings to ever loftier heights.
This could also mark the direction of future muscle cars. The ‘traditional’ muscle car could keep the internal combustion engine and be valued for the highest of horsepower ratings. Along with the raw and visceral feedback and soundtrack which is the hallmark of any muscle car.
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