Kelly Python Is a Weird and Super-Rare Piece of Mustang History

By Tony Markovich - July 8, 2016

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The Kelly Python is an odd animal that has a bit of mystery behind it. The car holds two stories in its bones: one man’s attempt to replace an icon using outside-the-box new technology, and another man’s dream to fill what he thought was a void in the market.

According to every article I’ve found on these cars, the original look came from Eugene Bordinat, who was tasked with figuring out a new AC Cobra when AC couldn’t provide the bodies any longer. Back in the ’60s, Bordinat planned to use an upcoming plastic material called Royalex, but nothing came of the project.

Flash forward 20 years, and Bordinat’s design caught the attention of one Alvin A. Kelly. Kelly was supposedly looking to develop a better sports car, so he worked with Ford to develop a concept that he called the Python. He used fiberglass to build the body mold, and with access to the Ford parts bins, built the prototypes out. Though small things like the Thunderbird taillights and the Probe headlights helped complete the car, most of this thing is from the old Fox Body Mustangs.

The frame is from the Mustang, but it was reinforced and shortened. The 5.0-liter V8 engine was Mustang; the interior was Mustang; the glass was Mustang … you get the point. But don’t call it a kit car. Kelly had big plans with Ford to sell the Python through real dealerships and everything. Unfortunately, again, thanks to underfunding, the car never took off, and reportedly fewer than 20 were built, and even fewer are known to exist today. So, as you can tell, this is a wildly rare vehicle, and one is now for sale with just 37,000 miles on it for $11,900 on Craigslist.

So, wuttyasay?