850hp 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake hammers a 10.66 at the strip – for a price

By Nick Jaynes Published March 14, 2013

Shelby GT500 Super Snake — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When Ford released the 662-horsepower Mustang Shelby GT500, Shelby American wasn’t content.

So on its own, the legendary aftermarket tuner went back to the design board – and upped the power to 850 horses.

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Shelby recently sent an “independent test driver” down to Brandenton Motorsports Park in Brandenton, Florida to put the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake to the test at the drag strip. Amazingly, the driver was able to make a quarter-mile run in 10.66 seconds, hitting 137 miles-per-hour.

Even more impressive? He did it all with pump gas and street tires.

Shelby brags that the Super Snake is “more than just raw power and ridged track performance. Owners can drive this car every day with its docile and comfortable ride in normal traffic situations.” We drove the standard Ford Shelby GT500 and if the Super Snake is anything like it, the good folks at Shelby aren’t just blowing smoke.

But what will an extra 188 horsepower cost you over the stock $54,650 GT500 from your local Ford dealer? Why, just an extra $39,995 is all.

At just shy of $100,000, the Shelby Super Snake is surely best suited for someone with a big checkbook and who also doesn’t know that the Nissan GT-R exists, which will do the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds and for less money.

Only 500 of the Super Snakes will be built at Shelby American in Las Vegas, so it’s sure to be a classic in 30 years time. While we love calculating cars like the Nissan GT-R, there’s something to be said about the bullheadedness of a true American pony car like the Super Snake.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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