PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES F (175 DEGREES C).
SPREAD THE COCONUT ON A BAKING SHEET AND BAKE IT, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN, ABOUT 5 MINUTES.
IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN, COMBINE THE HALF-AND-HALF, EGGS, SUGAR, FLOUR AND SALT AND MIX WELL. BRING TO A BOIL OVER LOW HEAT, STIRRING CONSTANTLY. REMOVE THE PAN FROM THE HEAT, AND STIR IN 3/4 CUP OF THE TOASTED COCONUT AND THE VANILLA EXTRACT. RESERVE THE REMAINING COCONUT TO TOP THE PIE.
POUR THE FILLING INTO THE PIE SHELL AND CHILL UNTIL FIRM, ABOUT 4 HOURS.
TOP WITH WHIPPED TOPPING AND WITH THE RESERVED COCONUT.