The Ford Mustang is a classic muscle car. Some would call it “the” muscle car, and it's certainly the most famous around the globe. But a little known fact is that the Mustang spawned a very short production run of cars called the Python. The Python was a Mustang derived car that was first conceived as a replacement for the AC Cobra. But that’s now how it panned out as just 12 were in fact built. Now, one of those 12 has cropped up for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Before the doubts start to creep into your head, this Python is not a kit-built car. The seller of it assures us that this is a genuine Ford Python/Mustang Python. It came from the original owner some 15 years ago, and this amazing creation has done less than 40,000 miles meaning it is in many ways quite a new car. The seller states that it averages less than 1,000 miles a year as it only really goes around a handful of car shows and to cruise around Colorado. This is one very rare beast.
The Python Was Set To Replace The Legendary AC Cobra
How this incredibly rare car came into the world is an interesting tale. Work on the Python allegedly started back in the mid-1960s. It was a project that Carroll Shelby was set to use to replace the AC Cobra, and both a coupe and convertible prototype of the Python were in fact built. However, the project was soon scrapped after those prototypes. Then in 1981, a man by the name of Alvin Kelly found an original prototype body. This saw the creation of four more, with the helped of the man that created the original Python, McKinley Thompson.
It is then alleged that Kelly went on to produce 12 examples of what was a Mustang-based car, all at his small factory in Colorado. These have at least fulfilled some of the promise shown by the early Pythons that Shelby himself had built back in the 1960s. The fact there are just 12 in existence makes these incredibly rare and the listing on Facebook Marketplace is for one of those 12 examples built by Kelly. As the images show, it is in remarkably good condition and it has an incredibly sleek design.
Less Than 40,000 Miles Make This Ford Python Almost Brand New
The listing on marketplace goes on to say that most of the parts on this car are from a 1991 Ford Mustang. As such, they say that ownership of this special is a lot easier than others. This is potentially quite true, as spare parts will be easier to come by and a lot cheaper than on some other exotics. Originally, the car was in fact said to have come from O’Mera Ford in Denver, and was then a Colorado car not long after. As such, it comes with a clean Colorado title.
Its owners say that it makes a great Colorado touring car and we are quite jealous of that. It sure looks like it is, as the pictures show a Python in incredible condition. It is also alleged by the sellers that this car was actually signed somewhere in the back seat area by Carroll Shelby himself. Although of course it would take some rummaging to find that signature. The sellers say that it has outperformed regular Mustangs in terms of handling and that thanks to its great condition, it is absolutely no slouch. Sounds like it is a lot of fun!
Carroll Shelby Signature Plaque On The Python Suggests It Is Legitimate
For those worried about the legitimacy of the car, then look no further than the plaque inside. As well as signing in the back seat area, Shelby signed a plaque inside each of the 12 Pythons that were ultimately created. This is something that would be hard to forge or replicate, pretty much confirming that this is a true, legitimate, Python Mustang. Remarkably, just seven of the 12 cars have been clearly identified. This means that this Python is potentially even rarer than it was when it was originally built back in the 1990s.
This Python Is A Car We Truly Wish We Could Own
This Python is absolutely a car we wish we could own, and get our hands on. It's rarer than many Mustang versions and such a cool looking car. The shortening of the rear and lengthening of the front helped to not only give the car a unique look but a brilliant weight transfer. It is actually split at about 55/45, meaning as the sellers say that it is a great handling car to drive. The asking price for this particular Python is $45,000 according to the Marketplace listing. We feel that might undervalue what this car is really worth, so someone could pick up a bit of a bargain here.
Source: Facebook Marketplace