2016 Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake

800bhp in an American muscle car is not a great idea, especially if that car is being driven on UK-roads. However if you’re going to almost double the power output of an already powerful Mustang, it’s best if the work is carried out by someone who knows what they’re doing. Someone like Shelby American.

Carroll Shelby created his first fettled Mustang, the GT350, in 1965, and since then, numerous high-performance variants have borne his name. Following his death in 2012, the firm he founded has continued to build cars and develop new models worthy of that name. The scale of the business has grown significantly in recent years thanks to Shelby’s reputation as the company to tune V8 Fords, and now there are franchises across the world.

The only official home for Shelby Mustangs in the UK, and one of only three in Europe, is Bill Shepherd Mustang. Thanks to Shepherd’s background in racing old Fords, Cobras and Mustangs, he got to know Carroll Shelby personally and his Surrey-based concern was chosen as the US firm’s UK-representative. In the past few years they have developed a thriving business converting brand-new Mustangs into a 'Shelby', complete with a Shelby VIN and an entry in the Shelby American World Registry.

Offered here at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale is this rare 2016 Shelby Super Snake built under licence by Bill Shepherd and one of only four that remain. It’s a UK-supplied right-hand drive car and was displayed on the Michelin stand at Goodwood in 2016. The Super Snake package transforms the already capable Mustang with an aluminium body and an incredible supercharged 800bhp that's fed through a 6-speed manual gearbox with a Shelby short-shift. Other features include a performance exhaust, uprated traction control, bigger brakes, 20" Super Snake wheels, carbon fibre additions and a unique Shelby stripe with badging.

LY16 HKD is finished in Oxford White with a black stripe over a black leather interior and presents in super condition inside and out. Its high-specification includes unique Caroll Shelby badging, centre console switches for normal/sport+/race track/snow/wet, steering feel normal/sport/comfort, central information screen, electric windows, electric folding mirrors, climate control, heated front seats and SatNav.

It's accompanied by a comprehensive history file including the original book packs containing the service records which confirm periodic maintenance with the most recent in 2022, including brake pads front and rear. This maintenance, along with the MOT history, supports the current indicated mileage of just over 14,000. Another important feature includes a modern tracker and security system that will minimise the risk of the car disappearing unexpectedly.

Do you really need 800bhp through the rear wheels on a wet Sunday in Wales? Probably not. But then you're only young twice.