Dubbed “The Cobra to end all Cobras” by Road & Track magazine, the Super Snake was an 800-hp, twin-supercharged RWD sports car built during an era devoid of ABS, ASR, or ESP, and when seat belts were still optional. This Shelby Cobra, unquestionably the most iconic American sports car not bearing Corvette badges, traces its origins back to the 1953 AC Ace, a British, inline-six-powered two-seat roadster.
Carroll Shelby’s Vision
Nine years after the AC Ace’s debut, former Le Mans-winning race driver Carroll Shelby sought to create his own V8-powered lightweight road and track two-seater. He approached AC’s owner, Charles Hurlock, with an exciting proposition. Shelby believed that modifying the light and affordable Ace chassis was more advantageous than developing a new one from scratch. Striking a deal with Hurlock and then Ford for powertrains, he transformed the Ace into the Cobra.
Produced from 1962 to 1967, the Shelby Cobra (sold in Europe as the AC Shelby Cobra) became an automotive legend on both road and track. Throughout its lifespan, it received a series of comprehensive upgrades and was available with several Ford engines, the most powerful being the 427-ci (7.0-liter) big-block V8.
The Birth of the Super Snake
As remarkable as the standard 427 Cobras were, the bespoke Super Snake stood out as the most insane Cobra ever built and arguably the most dangerous road-legal sports car of its era. It started as a promotional Competition model. The first of only two Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snakes ever built, chassis CSX 3015, was constructed in 1965 as a 1966-model-year thoroughbred race car, one of only 26 427-powered Competition roadsters developed by Carroll Shelby and his Venice crew.
Carroll Shelby’s Personal Ride
In September 1965, shortly after its completion, CSX 3015, alongside another Competition Cobra (CSX 3014) and two race-spec Shelby GT350R Mustangs, embarked on a European promotional tour. After fulfilling its promotional duties, it returned to the US, where Shelby began converting several unsold Competition roadsters into the ultimate street-legal, high-performance-spec Cobra version called S/C (Semi Competition).
Among the converted race cars was CSX 3015, developed uniquely for Carroll Shelby himself as a very special street-legal daily driver. Work on this unique Cobra started in early 1967. It retained the special Competition body modifications like beefier hips and a larger nose but received features for road use, including bumpers, mufflers, and a full-size windscreen.
The Powerhouse Under the Hood
Unique to CSX 3015, the Cobra Super Snake featured a special hood with a massive scoop hinting at the outrageous engine setup underneath. Finished in Guardsman Blue, the Super Snake was classified as an S/C Cobra to gain road-legal status. Determined to create “The Cobra to end all Cobras,” Shelby added not one but two Paxton superchargers to the race-spec 427, resulting in an insane 800 horsepower.
The Danger and the Legacy
During the 1960s, when electronic aids and safety were minimal, a road-legal Shelby Cobra packed a venomous bite. The Super Snake, with its 800-hp 427, could allegedly sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph. This power-to-weight ratio was unprecedented and deadly for those without Shelby’s race-driving skills.
Unfortunately, the Super Snake eventually showcased its lethal potential. Though Shelby was reluctant to build another twin-supercharged 427 Cobra, comedian Bill Cosby convinced him otherwise. In 1967, another Competition roadster, chassis CSX 3303, received the same conversion. Cosby quickly realized its danger and sold it to Tony Maxey, who tragically drove it off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
The Lone Survivor
While the second Super Snake was destroyed in the crash, the first example, CSX 3015, survived. Though it changed hands several times, none dared to push the car to its limits. Still in its original specification, CSX 3015 fetched over $5,000,000 on three separate occasions, becoming one of the most expensive American sports cars ever sold at a public auction. The last time it went under the hammer at Barrett-Jackson, it sold for a whopping $5,500,000.
An Iconic Legacy
From a safety standpoint, an 800-hp Shelby Cobra made no logical sense, but for sports car enthusiasts, it remains one of Carroll Shelby’s best decisions and arguably his most impressive road car. Nearly six decades after its construction, the 427 Cobra Super Snake continues to be one of America’s most insane street-legal sports cars and possibly the most insane sports car legally drivable on public roads. For more on this fascinating ride, check out the YouTube video by Winston Goodfellow.
Recommended –
Lincoln’s Luxurious Lineup: The 2025 Nautilus and Its Place in the SUV Market
Unveiling iOS 18: Apple’s Biggest iPhone Update Yet
