This, muscle car fans, is the most kick-ass Pony Car you can buy, the 2013 version of Shelby American's GT500 Super Snake. It's based on the Ford Mustang GT500 and comes in two flavours - the 488kW vanilla or the 627kW 'hot' version.
This is how it works: first you order (and pay for) a Mustang GT500 - coupe or convertible, Shelby don't mind - from your local Ford dealer. Then you ship it to Shelby American in Las Vegas (where else?) bearing in mind that only the first 500 cars will be accepted, and send them an additional $28 995 (R240 000).
And this is what they do:
They tweak the standard engine to deliver 488kW and a propshaft-twisting 857Nm, drop in a six-speed manual 'box with a 3.31:1 diff ratio (or a short-throw shifter with a 3.73:1 diff), a new radiator with heat exchanger and aluminium cooling tanks, a free-flow Borla exhaust system, an upgraded suspension package, forged Wildwood brakes with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers and cross drilled and vented discs, special 20” rims and performance tyres.
Then they add front-brake cooling ducts and behind-the-door side scoops, a special fibreglass bonnet with the classic Shelby Super Snake design, Super Snake stripes in either matte black, matte white, silver or blue, Super Snake vehicle badges, 'Shelby' lettering across the boot lid, embroidered head restraints and floor mats, and specially numbered engine and interior plaques.
Or you can send them another $9000 (R75 000) and they'll bolt on either a Whipple or a Kenne Bell supercharger (your choice) to boost power to 627kW.
But wait, as they say, there's more.
Optional extras include a two-tone full leather interior trim and, for the first time this year, a choice of rear-only or front and rear 'wide body' packages with optional 330mm-wide tyres, as seen on the Carroll Shelby Tribute car developed by Ford and Shelby American that was unveiled in Monterey.
The first 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake will debut at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson collectors' car auction in Las Vegas on 27-29 September.