The 1960s is considered the golden era for muscle cars. However, at the turn of the century, American automakers continued to build muscle cars with a lot of horsepower. Some of these muscle cars, like the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra or the Dodge Challenger STR8, were extremely desirable. However, some were not as popular, like the last-generation Pontiac GTO.Among the muscle cars available in the 2000s, quite a few made a ton of horsepower. Some naturally aspirated V8-powered muscle cars, like the 2008-2009 Challenger SRT8, made 425 hp. However, some examples from the era used supercharged V8 engines that made even more horsepower. It turns out that Ford and Shelby built the most powerful muscle car of the 2000s. The Most Powerful 2000s Muscle Car: Shelby GT500 Super Snake Mecum Auctions Producing over 725 hp, the 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake is the most powerful muscle car of the 2000s era. Powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, it was a tribute to the unique and original Shelby GT500 Super Snake from 1967.During the production cycle of the fifth-generation Mustang, Ford was celebrating the 40th anniversary of the model, specifically in 2005. As a result, the automaker introduced several special edition models, largely inspired by the 1967–69 Mustang.Mecum Auctions At the time, Shelby American was also tasked with building special models, including the Shelby GT-H, the Shelby GT, the Shelby GT-C, the Shelby Terlingua, and the GT350 and GT500 high-performance models.The flagship special edition was the Super Snake. 2007-2009 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 models could be brought to Shelby for the Super Snake upgrade. This improved the power and torque output with a choice of superchargers, a new exhaust, intake, and a revised drivetrain. Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake – Modern Take Mecum Auctions The 2007 Shelby GT500 Super Snake was inspired by an experimental project from 1967. In 1967, Shelby used a GT500 and replaced the engine with the 7.0-liter V8 from the Ford GT MkII racecar. Further enhancements to the model were made, offering components inspired by the GT MkII race cars that competed at LeMans.The 1967 Super Snake was explicitly developed for the Goodyear Thunderbolt tire test. Only one example of the 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake was ever built, and it sold for a ridiculous $2.2 million, making it the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction. The 2007 GT500 Super Snake Used A Supercharged V8 Mecum AuctionsFord Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake Engine Specs The standard 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 used a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. This engine with dual-overhead cams was tuned to develop 500 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque with the Eaton M122H roots-type supercharger. For the GT500 Super Snake, the engine was upgraded to a standard Ford Racing supercharger that helped make 600 hp. However, the optional twin-screw Kenne Bell Supercharger improved the power output to over 750 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.In addition to the supercharger, Shelby included a Borla cat-back exhaust system and a cold air intake to help improve the engine's performance. The engine is mated to a Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter. The Super Snake also upgrades to a lightweight one-piece drive shaft, mated to a 3.73:1 differential.Mecum Auctions With the 750 hp from the Kenne Bell Supercharger upgrade, Shelby claimed the Mustang GT500 Super Snake could accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in a staggering 3.5 seconds. For the performance it packed, the Super Snake was relatively economical. The EPA rated the GT500 Super Snake at 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake Handling Upgrades The 2007 Mustang GT500 Super Snake was available with a suspension upgrade that included new Shelby/Eibach coil-over suspension, Shelby/Eibach sway bars, Ford Racing Suspension, or Shelby/Eibach Suspension components. The improved brakes, thanks to the Shelby/Baer Extreme 6-piston calipers, helped with added stopping power. Here's Why Shelby GT500 Super Snake Models Are Worth A Lot Mecum AuctionsCarroll Shelby only developed one example of the Mustang GT500 Super Snake in 1967 for the Goodyear tire test. Not realizing the true value of this one-off example, the experimental prototype was sold for a humble amount of $5,000 in August 1967. However, the same Mustang GT500 Super Snake prototype sold for a staggering $2.2 million, making it the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction.Shelby also manufactured limited Mustang GT500 Super Snakes from 2007-2009. The rarity makes the Super Snake quite valuable and highly desired by collectors. The Super Snake was available with the Mustang GT500's coupe and convertible body styles. While it is not specifically documented, it is estimated that Shelby American upgraded around 500 units, most of which were hard-top coupes. This made the convertible models rarer and more desirable. 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake Current Values Mecum Auctions(Source: Hagerty)Some examples of the Shelby GT500 Super Snake originally had a sticker price of $45,000 in 2007. In terms of their values today, Hagerty estimates that a Super Snake with a hard-top coupe is worth $43,700 in fair condition and, on average, $53,700 when in good condition. In excellent condition, a Mustang GT 500 Super Snake is worth $72,800, but it can rise all the way to $99,900 if it is eligible for a concours display.Fewer Super Snake convertibles were built, and as they are more desirable, they are automatically more valuable. In fair condition, a Mustang Super Snake convertible is worth $50,900; on average, they are worth $59,900 in good condition. Well-looked-after examples in excellent condition can fetch up to $84,000, but an astonishing $120,000 in Concours condition.The Super Snake option was, in essence, an aftermarket upgrade available to customers of the standard 2007-2009 Shelby Mustang GT500. Interestingly, the Super Snake upgrade modifications were so significant that it voided the standard manufacturer's warranty from Ford.However, Shelby American included a limited warranty on the parts of the Super Snake package. But effectively, the Mustang GT500 was out of warranty if it received the Super Snake upgrade.