It’s not every day that a pickup truck costs more than a Porsche.
Well, this special Ford F-150 comes with a black Stetson hat.
A powerful Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition 2023 Ford F-150 — created for off-road enthusiasts in honor of automotive designer and racing driver Carroll Shelby — was revealed Friday by Shelby American.
Only 100 of the special four-door pickups will be built for the U.S. market.
Trucks that are naturally aspirated start at $129,495, while the supercharged version starts at $138,495, not including delivery fees and taxes. They have a three-year/36,000-mile warranty that includes powertrain protection.
“Carroll loved motoring both on and off the road, especially in rugged terrain,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American, in a news release. “He would trek across the desert on both two- and four-wheel vehicles. His Terlingua, Texas, ranch even owned the first production Ford Bronco. We’re honoring that Shelby heritage with a special off-road truck that recalls his adventures.”
Based on the Lariat 4×4, 5.0L SuperCrew, these pickup trucks created by the custom company that partners with Ford to build high-performance vehicles will come standard with 400 horsepower; and an optional supercharger boosts the V8 engine to 800 horsepower (based on use of 93-octane fuel), according to a news release.
Trucks come with badged leather seats, signature floor mats, tinted windows and red interior accent lighting.
“Luxury smooth to hardcore off-road”
The heavy-duty suspension and underbody were built with Ford Raptor-style FOX shocks that feature adjustable dual speed controls and technology that improves the vehicle’s ability to adjust to terrain — so the driver can “tune a truck from luxury car smooth to hardcore off-road handling,” Shelby American said.
The Shelby F-150 was first introduced in 2015 as an off-road capable pickup. The latest version, like standard F-150 pickups, offers over-the-air updates and Pro Power Onboard, which turns the truck into a mobile generator.
More:Shelby American to make unique Mustang Mach-E GTs — but you won’t be able to buy them in US
“Carroll really enjoyed modifying trucks throughout his life in pursuit of more performance,” Vince LaViolette, Shelby American vice president of operations and chief designer, said in the release. “The 2023 Shelby F-150 delivers the rugged capabilities needed for outdoor adventure and all the sophistication required for a fun night on the town.”
Demand for the exclusive F-150 is expected to be “extremely strong,” Patterson said, especially based on demand for the limited edition Carroll Shelby Centennial Edition Ford Mustang introduced earlier this year, which started at $94,795 plus delivery fees and taxes.
“Carroll Shelby loved going off-road, dating back to … the 1960s. He and his friends would go off-road in their trucks, dirt bikes and SUVs to blow off steam during the stressful racing season,” Patterson told the Detroit Free Press.
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More:New Shelby Mustang is ‘stunning perfection’ at $298,000
Features of the 2023 Shelby Ford F-150
- Performance air intake with high flow filter
- Powder-coated black supercharger and intake manifold
- Oversized carbon fiber air intake tube
- Performance aluminum heat exchanger
- Billet throttle body with high flow fuel injectors
- Front and rear brake upgrade (pads and rotors)
- Rear traction bars
- FOX 2.5 Front and rear aluminum body reservoir shocks
- Dual Intake “RAM AIR” hood with vents
- 22” SHELBY alloy wheels with BFG all-terrain KO2 35/12.50R22 tires
- Side steps; powered, lighted with rock guards
- Body color painted fender flares
- Signature front fender vents
- Front bumper cover with air managed intake vents
Purchase of the Shelby American F-150 includes membership in Team Shelby, which connects owners with a global community established in 2008. Also, having the truck listed on the official Shelby Registry helps with collectability and prevents fakes, which is important to Shelby fans and collectors and protects value. These vehicles are sold at select Tuscany and Ford dealers in North America.
Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid