Shelby’s name is practically etched into the history of high-performance cars. When you hear it, you don’t just think of speed—you think of raw, unapologetic power and engineering that’s all about getting the job done. Over the years, Shelby’s creations have ranged from track monsters to street machines that redefined what American performance cars could be.
Among his impressive lineup, there are a few standouts that deserve special attention. These cars pushed the limits and set new ones, combining groundbreaking performance with design choices that made them unforgettable. Here’s a look at six of the most iconic cars to ever wear the Shelby badge.
Cobra 427 Super Snake
Now, the 427 Cobra was already an untamed beast, but Carroll Shelby wasn’t the kind of guy to leave well enough alone. He took that big-block beauty and strapped on twin Paxton superchargers, cranked up the hood scoops, and swapped in a rugged three-speed automatic to handle all that power. The result? A car that churned out 800 to 900 horsepower and could make your knuckles white just starting it up.
Shelby kept one for himself and gave the other to his buddy, Bill Cosby, who famously said the car scared the daylights out of him. One of the two didn’t survive—it took a dive off a cliff into the ocean. But the remaining Super Snake went on to make history, selling for $5.5 million in 2007.
Shelby Series 1 and Series 2
The Series 1 was Shelby’s last big swing—a car he wanted to design from the ground up. It hit the scene in 1998, and while it had the DNA of a Cobra, it was something entirely new. Shelby went with an Oldsmobile Aurora V8, which was a smooth, high-revving engine that gave the car solid performance and sharp handling. It had a lightweight aluminum chassis and composite body panels, which made it as nimble as it was fast.
They only built 250 of these machines, so they’re rare, but they didn’t stop there. The Series 2 refined the formula with even more performance upgrades. These weren’t just cars—they were Shelby’s way of showing the world he wasn’t just about modifying legends; he could build them from scratch too. It’s the kind of project only a guy who’d spent decades under the hood could pull off.
Cobra 260 Mark I & Cobra 289 Mark II
Let’s take it back to the early days when Carroll Shelby had a simple but brilliant idea: take a lightweight British roadster and shove a powerful American V8 under the hood. The result was the Cobra 260 Mark I, and it set the tone for what was to come. With a modest 271 horsepower, it might not sound like much by today’s standards, but back then, paired with the car’s featherweight frame, it was a rocket on wheels.
The Mark II upped the ante, keeping the same aluminum body but refining the formula. Sure, these early Cobras weren’t the most sophisticated machines—no frills, no fancy tech—but they didn’t need to be. They were raw, pure driving machines that could go toe-to-toe with the Ferraris and Corvettes of the time, proving that simplicity and brute force could be a winning combination.
1965 – ’66 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
The Mustang hits the scene in ’64, a car for everyone with its sharp looks and affordable price tag. But let’s be honest—beneath that sleek exterior was the soul of a Falcon, built for economy, not performance. Then Carroll Shelby got his hands on it, and everything changed. His mission? Turn this everyday cruiser into a race-ready machine for the SCCA B Production class.
Shelby didn’t mess around. He ditched the back seat, slapped on a Holley carburetor, added free-flowing exhaust headers, and stiffened things up with Koni shocks. Racier wheels completed the look, and the result was 306 horsepower of pure driving excitement—up from the stock 271. Only 562 of these track-ready GT350s were built, and they blew away the competition. Today, the ’65–’66 GT350 is the Mustang that proved the pony car had real horsepower under the hood.
50th Anniversary Shelby GT40 MKII
Back in 1965, Ford was on a mission—take down Ferrari at Le Mans and put American muscle on the map. With Carroll Shelby at the helm, the GT40 program didn’t just compete; it crushed, delivering that unforgettable 1-2-3 finish in 1966. It was a turning point for racing, cementing Ford’s dominance and reshaping the Le Mans legacy.
To celebrate 50 years of that historic win, Shelby introduced the GT40 Shelby Edition. These continuation cars are living history. Built with the same steel monocoque chassis, independent suspension, and authentic interior, they’re a near-perfect recreation of the machine that roared across Le Mans. It’s like stepping into 1966, but with a modern vibe. If you ever wanted to own a piece of racing glory, this is as close as it gets.
2022 Shelby GT500 Code Red
If you thought the standard 2022 GT500 was the king of the hill, the Code Red raises the bar a bit more. With only ten built each year, it’s a mechanical masterpiece. Shelby ditches the typical supercharger in favor of a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V8, cranking out a wild 1,000 horsepower on pump gas. Switch to E85, and you’re looking at 1,300 horsepower with 1,000 lb-ft of torque—numbers that start approaching supercar levels.
The Code Red has the looks to match the power. The widebody kit, updated badges, and refined interior give it a presence that’s as intimidating as it is luxurious. Add in track-ready wheels, and it’s clear this car is built to dominate. With only 30 units made from 2020 to 2022, the Code Red captures the spirit of Shelby’s exclusivity and obsession with pushing performance to the edge. This Mustang is a Shelby legend in the making.
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