The Rarest Sports Car To Ever Be Produced In America (2024)

Throughout American automotive history, we've been treated to some of the most exciting cars of all time, across all different segments. While manufacturers across the country are still leading the charge when it comes to outright power in some segments, some of the most notable cars come from the 1960s and 1970s, a time when development was at an all-time high in the industry.

This period saw automakers such as Dodge, Chevrolet, and Pontiac all trying to one-up each other with the most powerful engines in their muscle cars. However, one of the most iconic cars to come out of the '60s is the AC Shelby Cobra, which redefined what a convertible sports car could be. The regular models were rare, but one specific variant stands out even today.

In 1966, Carroll Shelby decided to produce the 427 'Super Snake' version of the Cobra to give it the proper sendoff that it deserved. Through its incredible power and distinct looks, the AC Shelby Cobra 427's production was extremely limited, becoming the rarest sports car in American history. Here's a closer look at the model and what makes it so special.

The 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake Makes A Rare Car Even Rarer

Besides the ultra-rare Super Snake, the base Shelby Cobra is also one of the rarest American cars ever made. Back in the 1960s, smaller manufacturers like Shelby American Inc. didn't have the same amount of resources to mass-produce models, despite Carroll Shelby collaborating with AC Cars for the Cobra. Being the oldest British automaker, the AC Ace racecar from the late 1950s was actually the main source of inspiration for the Cobra, after Shelby saw the success that it was achieving.

From 1968, AC Cars would develop each chassis of the AC Cobra, which was a reimagined version of the original AC Cobra designed to accommodate the powerful 4.2-liter Ford V-8 engine. The result was the fastest American sports car of its time, and it quickly gained a reputation for its remarkable speed and performance on the road and racetrack. The AC Cobra became an icon in the world of automotive history, revered for its timeless design and significant influence on the sports car industry.

The Cobra's body was assembled in the U.K., but Shelby America Inc. in Venice, California, handled the rest of the mechanical side of production. In total, 998 AC Shelby Cobras were built (including both track and road models), and the model underwent its fair share of updates and redesigns between 1962 and 1967. To sound the production of the iconic car, the ultra-rare Cobra 427 Super Snake was produced, becoming the rarest sports car to ever be made in America.

Only 2 Models Were Ever Produced

While the base model is already incredibly rare, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake, code-named the CSX 3015, takes things to a whole new level. Carroll Shelby rightfully wanted a proper sendoff for the sports car, which resulted in the almighty Super Snake, of which only two were built.

Its rarity, combined with its unparalleled performance, has cemented the 1966 Cobra Super Snake as a legendary and highly coveted piece of automotive history. In March 2021, one of the 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snakes went up for auction at Barret Jackson, where it sold for a staggering $5.5 million.

Designed To Be The Meanest Car On The Road

As the Cobra's entire philosophy is to essentially be a racecar for the road, every model came with standout performance for its time. However, towards the end, Ford's engines got much bigger and much more powerful, allowing the Shelby Cobra Super Snake to produce performance numbers that still rival supercars today.

Carrol Shelby Told Barret Jackson:

Taking Performance To The Next Level

Keeping on topic with the performance, the Cobra Super Snake was truly unlike anything seen before. At the time of production, American manufacturers were locked in a development race with the muscle car segment, as well as some sports cars like the Corvette, which led to some of the most powerful and iconic engines the industry has ever seen.

While some of these were also 427 engines, none could get close to the dual-supercharged 7.0-liter V-8 monster under the hood. The Super Snake is actually an adaptation of the 427 Competition model, which wasn't road-legal due to not featuring mufflers, a windshield, bumpers, and all the necessary equipment to allow it on public roads.

Producing Up To 800 Horsepower

With the addition of the two Paxton superchargers and improved airflow, the 1966 Cobra Super Snake's 427-cubic-inch V-8 engine roared to life, producing a thunderous 800 horsepower and 462 pound-feet of torque. This staggering power output made it a force to be reckoned with on both the road and the track. The model was also fitted with a three-speed automatic transmission.

Building on the success of the Cobra Super Snake, one year later, Ford and Shelby collaborated once again to create the special edition 1967 Mustang GT500, bearing the Super Snake marque. This iteration, while an impressive machine in its own right, fell short of the Cobra by 200 horsepower. Nevertheless, it became renowned as the most powerful muscle car of the '60s, showcasing Ford and Shelby's dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance and design during this iconic era.

1966 AC Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake Performance Specifications

Along with its new 7-liter V-8 engine, the 427 Super Snake also includes additional performance-enhancing upgrades just about everywhere you look. Up front, the hood size was increased to make room for the dual superchargers, and the nose opening was wider and exposed for improved airflow.

Wider fenders, wider bumpers, and a larger windshield were also installed, but the headers and brakes remained the same as the standard 427 model. While its speed hasn't been verified officially, the 427 Super Snake is sure to beat the top speed of the standard 427 Cobra.

In Comparison With The Regular 1966 Shelby Cobra 427

Keeping on topic with the base '66 Cobra 427, the two versions of the iconic sports car expectedly share a fair few differences. Starting with the engine, the base '66 Cobra 427, of course, didn't have the dual-supercharger setup but still managed to pump out a solid amount of power, producing 485 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. As for speed, the '66 427 is rated at 165 mph.

Although the price tag of the Super Snake was expectedly not reached, the latest sale of a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 was at Mecum Auctions, where it sold for a whopping $2.145 million. Another '66 Cobra 427 is going up for auction at the Monterrey 2024 auction in August, and it is likely to fetch a similar, if not higher, price tag.

Where Are The Two Shelby Cobra Super Snakes Today?

Two of these cars were made to mark the end of the Cobra's short but fantastic run, where these two icons of the American automotive industry are rather tragic. The model that recently sold for $5.5 million was the car that Carroll Shelby kept in his possession until his passing in 2012, and is, of course, still in excellent condition. However, the same can't be said for the second model.

The second model, code-named CSX 3303, was sold to comedian Bill Cosby. After driving it only once, he returned it after experiencing its incredible power. The CSX 3303 was then sent to S and C Motors in San Francisco, which sold it to Tony Maxey.

While pushing the car, Maxey lost control of the Super Snake and ended up falling off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean, destroying the car completely. Unfortunately, Maxey passed away a few days after the crash.

While only one 1966 AC Shelby Cobra exists today, the sports car remains the ultimate testament to the American automotive industry in the 1960s, when innovation was at an all-time high. By still managing to be rated as the most powerful sports car in American history, it's safe to say the Shelby Cobra Super won't be losing its icon status any time soon.