A few months ago we told you about the special one-of-a-kind 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake test vehicle going across the block at Mecum in Indianapolis, now we know how special the car actually is.  The Shelby GT500 Super Snake sold for an amazing $1.3 million making it the most expensive Mustang ever sold on record.

Its truly a one-of-a-kind vehicle as Carroll Shelby partnered with the West Coast distributor of Goodyear tires in 1967. During production of the GT500’s that year Shelby was approached by Goodyear to take part in a promotional event for its new Thunderbolt line of economy tires.

After throwing around ideas Shelby agreed to use a GT500, number 544 off the assembly line. Instead of using the stock police interceptor 428 ci engine found in the GT500 that year, Shelby instructed Fred Goodell, Shelby American’s chief engineer on loan from Ford to prepare a special engine for the GT500 which turned out to be the mother of all 427’s.

The engine of choice was a special lightweight all-aluminum 427, basically the same engine found in the GT40 Mk II that won Le Mans the year before. The engine produced something around 600 horsepower when it was all said and done.

Production of the vehicle never came to fruition as the price of the vehicle with the 600 horsepower motor was thought to be to much for the time.  In the end only one vehicle was produced and its history is well documented from the days Carroll Shelby gave it his golden touch.

Check out a gallery of photos below.

Its no secret the Ford Mustang is turning 50-Years-Old in 2014 and with it Ford is commemorating the event with a host of 50th Anniversary merchandise.  Ford has contracted with 50 companies to produce 50 products to celebrate the 50 continuous Years of Ford Mustang production.  So far we have learned Ford has approved of a ‘50 Years’ Shinola Watch, Tee Shirts, Water Bottle and a hat.

The latest offering to reveal itself is a pair of ‘50 Years ‘ Zippo Lighters, one in high-polish chrome and the other in a limited-edition translucent gray color with only 5000 copies being made.  The high-polish chrome 50 Years Zippo lighter is available on Amazon.com for $22.35 and the limited-edition Zippo 50 Years lighter is available for $27.69.  Descriptions and photos of both are below.

Ford Mustang 50 Years High Polish Chrome Zippo Lighter – Made in the USA with a Lifetime Warranty. Buy Now at Amazon.com..

Ford Mustang 50 Years Limited Edition Translucent Gray Dusk Zippo Lighter – Made in USA with Lifetime Warranty.  Buy Now at Amazon.com.

Shelby American president John Luft has made it known their relationship with Ford on the Shelby GT500 will continue for the 2015 model and beyond but as to the styling and engine plans its all speculation at this point.  One forum member over at Mustang6g.com took it upon himself to render what he believes the 2015 Shelby GT500 might look like.  With its sinister looking front end and its smooth aerodynamic lines this GT500 concept illustration looks pretty sick.  Check out a high-res image below and let me know what you think in the comments.

After two races of 2013 Formula Drift season Vaughn Gittin Jr. has found himself atop the podium yet again with a 3rd place finish for his Monster Energy Nitto Tire Mustang RTR team. Vaughn’s first season as a car owner is going pretty well if you ask us.  With his two podium finishes this season it puts Vaughn in the overall points lead just ahead of Daigo Saito who drives the Lexus SC430.  The next race of the season is May 31 at Palm Beach International Raceway.  Check out a gallery of photos below along with a video recap of all the weekends action.

Evolution Performance is never one to stand idle on past achievements and this time is no different as they pull out all the tops to propel their 2013 Shelby GT500 down the quarter-mile for an 8-second run.  What makes an 8-second Shelby GT500 you might ask?  How about a fully built 5.8-liter race engine from L&M along with a 3.6-liter Kenne Bell Twin Screw Supercharger.  That combination along with a handful of other mods was good for a 8.94 second run @ 159 MPH.  Keep reading to watch the video.  

Source: Evolution Performance

Source: Car and Driver

In the 90’s one of the most famous ‘late model’ Mustangs on the racing scene was this 1987 GT ragtop owned and raced by “Racin Jason” Betwarda.  This legendary Mustang was featured in just about every Mustang magazine during the 90’s and was the first Fox Body to run the quarter-mile in 7 seconds.  The ragtop Mustang is being sold as a rolling chassis with no engine over on Facebook.

Unfortunately ‘Racin Jason’ Betwarda lost his life doing what he loved back in 1999 in a tragic crash at Lebanon Valley Dragway while testing a new Mustang.  His memory lives on through his many accomplishments and Mustangs he raced including the most famous of them all this white 1987 Mustang GT ragtop.  For more information check out the ad on Facebook.

Source: StangTV

Back in November of last year Holman and Moody unveiled their 2014 50th Anniversary TdF Mustang at SEMA and now production has begun at their facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.  They were kind enough to shoot several photos of the 2014 TdF Mustangs in production with some receiving graphics, badges and wheels.

Who is Holman and Moody you might ask? Well before Saleen, before Roush, and even before Shelby, Holman and Moody helped Alan Mann Racing secure the initial professional race win for the Ford Mustang.  In September 1964, the Alan Mann Racing Team of England fielded three Mustangs that were specially prepped using engines and performance parts supplied by Holman & Moody in the 4,000 mile long “Tour de France Automobile” rally.

Holman and Moody will produce just 500 units with pricing starting just under $10K for the packages.  TdF Mustangs will only come in Red with Gold graphics and receive dealer-installed enhancements, Ford Racing Performance Parts and various Holman and Moody components which will create a fitting tribute to the 1964 race winners.

Check out some production photos of the 2014 Holman and Moody TdF Mustangs below.

Source: TheMustangNews.com via HM50th.com

The team over at Ford Racing is having a little fun on behalf of the Copo Camaro and the Drag Pack Challenger as they have painted a Grim Reaper graphic onto the side of their 2014 Mustang Cobra Jet test car.  Take what you want from this but I have a sneaking suspension the new Cobra Jet is going to unleash hell on its competition real soon.

Back in March Ford Racing made it known a 2014 Mustang Cobra Jet would be coming down the pipeline with updated features and two new colors, one of which (Matte black) is pictured above.  Ford Racing was recently out completing some test sessions at the South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA with Muscle Mustang and Fast Fords editor Evan Smith who served as a test driver.  Several photos and a teaser video were taken of the 2014 Cobra Jet which you can see below.

2014 Mustang Cobra Jet Features:

ENGINE

• Displacement & type: 5.0L V8 with twin independent variable cam timing (TiVCT);
• Block: Production 5.0L Ti-VCT block
• Heads: CNC-ported, 4-valves per cylinder
• Induction: N/A Option: Cobra Jet Composite Intake, S/C Option: Ford Racing Whipple 2.9L Supercharger
• Camshafts Custom grind: – Ford Racing proprietary
• Crankshaft: Forged
• Rods: Manley H-beam
• Pistons: Mahle forged, Ford Racing spec
• Headers: 304 stainless primary tubes with 321 stainless collector
• Inlet pipe: Ford Racing Cobra Jet
• Throttle body” Cobra Jet oval monoblade

CHASSIS

• Chrome-moly safety cage, NHRA-certified to 8.50 ET

REAR SUSPENSION

• 3-link with adjustable upper
• Adjustable Panhard bar
• Double-adjustable Ford Racing shocks
• Anti-roll bar

FRONT SUSPENSION

• Adjustable Ford Racing struts
• Anti-roll bar removed – lightweight radiator support

STEERING

• Electric power-assist (EPAS)

BRAKES

• Strange Engineering kit featuring:
• - Lightweight vented rotors
• - Billet 4-piston lightweight calipers
• - Lightweight tandem master cylinder
• OEM pedal modified to mount master cylinder

WHEELS

• Weld Racing Cobra Jet
• 15 x 10″ rear, 15 x 3.5″ front

TIRES

• Goodyear Cobra Jet
• 9 x 30 x 15 rear, 4.5 x 28 x 15 front

GEARS & AXLES

• Strange Engineering 9-inch aluminum center section
• Light-weight steel spool
• Strange Engineering 9310 alloy 4.88 ring & pinion
• Strange Engineering 35-spline axles
• Strange Engineering chrome-moly yoke

TRANSMISSION

• C3 automatic (stock legal) race-prepared by Joel’s on Joy

FUEL SYSTEM

• Aeromotive “Eliminator” fuel pump
• Aeromotive A1000 pressure regulator
• Aeromotive 10-micron high-flow filter
• High-impedance 80 lb./hr. fuel injectors

ENGINE CONROLS & IGNITION

• Ford Copperhead ECM
• Speed Density operation
• Production based with Ford Racing software
• Electronic throttle control
• Production 5.0L TiVCT coils
• Ford sensors

AVAILABLE PAINT COLORS

• Gotta Have-it Green
• Flat Black
• White

Source: www.FordRacingParts.com/cobrajet and FordRacing Facebook page