Shelby Vs. Ford Battle: Who Makes The Better F

With the new Raptor R out, is it worth considering the Shelby F-150 trucks instead? We compare cost, capability, and collectibility, as well as looks

Shelby American Inc. was founded by the legendary Carroll Shelby, still the only individual to win the 24 hours of Le Mans as a driver, team manager, and manufacturer. Shelby is a lot like Roush Performance. Founded by Jack Roush, the company rolls out custom vehicles based on the factory models. Both companies have a racing pedigree, a storied history of success, and deep ties to Ford. If you are looking to take their newer Mustang, F-150, or Bronco to the next level, then don't look past these two.

The deciding factors could come down to price, value, and personal styling preferences, but there may not be a wrong choice. Also, Roush currently has packages for the Bronco, while Shelby does not, but the Cobra and heritage models are exclusive to Shelby. Shelby even has concept vehicles. Of course, one can not leave out the legendary GT40, the vehicle that the film Ford vs. Ferrari is based off of, and one of its main claims to fame for Shelby.

For our purposes here we do a deep dive into the Shelby F-150 variants, specifically the four-door model, as there are a few variants. The reason being is that we also take a look at the new F-150 Raptor R, a four-door model only, like it's non-R version. The goal is to figure out where you should spend your money and why.

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For many people the F-150 Lariat trim is the best compromise when looking at the F-150 lineup. It gets you into the luxury truck realm, while having all the options to spec out the truck very nicely. In the end, you could have a great looking truck with practical utility for a relatively affordable price. Still, if you want to move up to a high standard in a unique package, the Shelby Super Snake is it.

Based off of the Lariat with a 5.0 liter V-8 Coyote drivetrain, the Super Snake package starts with a 450 horsepower version, that can be upgraded to an optional 775 horsepower supercharged monster! Upgrades includes: performance intake with high flow filter; Ford Racing blue powder coated supercharger and intake manifold; oversized carbon fiber air intake tube; performance aluminum heat exchanger; Billet throttle body; and high flow injectors.

The package also includes Shelby by Borla exhaust, with polished SST dual tips. Also, a Shelby by ridetech suspension system is added, including: front ridetech/FOX adjustable coilover shocks; rear ridetech/FOX adjustable shocks; upper control arms; rear traction bars; and a rear sway bar.

To go with all this revamped performance, of course the exterior is modified to show off the unique ride. This consists of: a dual intake "RAM AIR" vented hood; 22-inch Shelby alloy wheels; performance spec tires; four piece body side ground effects; Shelby front splitter; body color painted fender flairs; air managed front fender vents; Shelby badging and Le Mans style striping; air managed and painted Shelby front grille; painted rear bumper cladding with vents; painted door handles with mirror caps, and door trim; and a tonneau cover with a rug bed liner.

Interior features are: two-tone leather recovers for the seats; CSM numbered dash plaque and engine plate; a carbon fiber interior package; "Super Snake" badged console lid; embroidered headrests; floor mats; deep tinted windows; and billet racing pedals.

The 450 horsepower variant starts at $125,775, to include the price of a 2023 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4 base truck. Why not spend the 10 grand more for the 775 horsepower beast, starting at $134,395?

RELATED: Shelby F-150 Super Snake: 10 Things You Should Know

If you're looking for more utility to go with the performance, consider the more off-road oriented Shelby F-150 version of the Super Snake. This package includes a full Shelby by FOX suspension system: FOX front and rear 2.5 aluminum body reservoir shocks; internal bypass shock technology; adjustable dual speed controls; and a BDS three-inch lift system. Shelby describes this as a proprietary system that "provides adjusting from luxury smooth to off-road or track handling."

The vehicle also comes with a couple exterior features to add to the theme: BFG all-terrain KO2 35/12.5 R22 tires; plus powder coated, and lighted side steps with rock guards. The interior remains unchanged in both Super Snake trucks. The 450 horsepower package here starts at $127,350, with the optional boosted 750 horsepower version at $135,850.

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With the advent of the third generation F-150 Raptor comes the Shelby variant, taking the truck to 525 horsepower, and giving it a $143,310 starting package! Performance enhancements include Shelby EcoBoost upgrades such as an intake with high flow filter; Shelby oversized air intake tube; aluminum intercooler; and one piece heat shield. The proprietary Shelby tune boosts the engine to 525 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, with tuned exhaust, and a BDS suspension lift.

This package further differentiates from the off-road Shelby F-150 or performance-oriented Super Snake, with a: Baja Raptor hood; power steps with rock sliders and lights; and Baja Raptor side striping and graphics. There's also three distinct exterior packages with a front and rear bumper system, as well as bed chase rack system. In front, it's a steel flat black bumper with tow points and air flow vents, a 30-inch curved LED light bar, and two 10-inch LED driving lights.

The steel rear bumper is also flat black, with the two 10-inch LED lights, as well as two LED square lights. The steel flat black bed rack system includes a 50-inch light bar, that is power actuated up and down! It also includes two full size spare tire mounts and side panels. To make use of this, the package includes six 18-inch Shelby Raptor alloy wheels, and six 37-inch BFG KM3 mud terrain tires for a full matching set!

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By now many of us know what the Ford F-150 Raptor is all about. It's a mean looking factory truck inspired by the brutal, down south, off-road Baja 1000 race. It began with a V-8 model, culminating with a 6.2 liter that put out 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. By this time though Ford had already developed it's popular EcoBoost 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V-6, of which a high output version became the only option for the second generation, putting out 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.

This was much to the chagrin of many fans, bemoaning that a rugged truck deserves only a big, throaty, and rumbling engine. The Raptor had no real competition until the Ram TRX arrived, and that forced Ford to make the Raptor R variant, bringing back the V-8 power option. However, unlike the Gen 1 Raptor, the new for 2023 Raptor R is supercharged, having to more closely match the performance numbers of the TRX. Of course this resulted with Ford dropping in a 5.2 liter V-8 from the Shelby GT500, but giving it a truck tune, bringing max horsepower down to 700 and torque up to 640 pound-feet.

This beast has a starting price of $109,145 before options, roughly $30,000 more than the base EcoBoost Raptor, and nearly $26,000 more than the TRX. However, this is actually less than a Shelby F-150 Super Snake performance, or Shelby F-150 off-road version, as well as significantly less than the Shelby F-150 Raptor. What's more, is that the Shelby Raptor is EcoBoost only, probably because Ford couldn't have it stealing the Raptor R's thunder. Plus, the Raptor R has the Shelby piece you'd really want, in the "Predator" GT500 engine. Then again, the Shelby Super Snake performance and off-road F-150s actually make more power with the blown Coyote engines!

RELATED: Watch As The Ford F-150 Raptor R and Ram TRX Trade Blows On And Off The Road

In the end, it's not a simple decision between all these four-door F-150s. If you want the performance to go with unique street styling, take the Super Snake. If it's that, plus more off-road capability that you seek, elect the Shelby off-road F-150 version. Combining all that but with less of a unique look, is the Raptor R. It looks like any other Raptor, apart from the "R" emphasis in the emblems and decals, but it's way cheaper than the Shelby Raptor.

Coming with the Super Snake type engine specs, albeit a different engine, one could add aftermarket pieces to further mimic the Shelby Raptor looks. If it was my money, I'd consider all my wants, needs, and budget. I'd take either Super Snake F-150, or Raptor R, but I'd leave the Shelby Raptor behind.

It's simply too much money left on the table when the other three options put out more power for less. The sure things are that all of these trucks are exclusive, powerful, expensive, unique, and limited, especially the Shelby ones. You won't see many of these on the street, or in driveways, making even a non-enthusiast look twice.

Martin holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Working full-time as an Avionics Technician on fighter jets, he travels using a variety of vehicles, to include: a Camaro ZL1, F-150 FX4, Jeep Wrangler TJ, and CBR 600RR. Thus, he's always been interested in wheels, seeing them as something more than just what gets you from point A to Z. He admires style, performance, and longevity in these machines, while appreciating something even if it's not to his taste. Follow him on this ride and see where it goes!