Motor Trader eMag August 2017

thunderous and beautiful machines have their home in
Queensland.
This one is owned by classic car aficionado, and owner
of Bissell’s Paint and Panel in Noosaville, Iain Kippen who,
you may remember, is also the owner of the continuation
Shelby Cobra we were lucky enough to report on a couple
of editions back.
This GT500SE Super Snake is, perhaps, the crown
jewel in Iain’s collection of cars – a genuine Hollywood
superstar and supercharged behemoth that churns out
770bhp at the flywheel. And yet it was not a car that, at first,
he had any thoughts of buying.
“I found the car through licensed builder Queensland
Musclecar in Noosa,” says Iain. “I was actually looking for a
’69 Boss to restore but while I was there I saw their Eleanor.
I asked about it and I assumed I wouldn’t be able to get one
but they told me they had one build left.
“As it turns out, their Eleanor and mine are, I believe,
the only right-hand drive models ever built.”
While the right-hand drive nature of his car makes it
especially rare, it is what has gone into making the Super
Snake that makes it extraordinary.
“It had to be an original ‘67 big-block GT500 Mustang,”
says Iain. “It has an aluminium 427FE racing big block
and from there it had has been up-specced with Shelbyapproved
components including coilover suspension, disc
brakes, a Tremec T5 gearbox, a Torson differential and a
host of other features including a Vortech supercharger.”
For the build, the mechanical work was carried out by
Queensland Musclecar while Iain completed the bodywork
restoration at Bissell’s Paint & Panel. It was a tough and long
job, and one to which he added a personal touch.
30 | Motor Trader June 2017