Automotive history has a funny way of repeating itself, often with pleasing results.
On April 12, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and Hertz Corporation announced they were again teaming to assemble a limited run of the Shelby GT-H Mustangs for 2006.
It has been 40 years since the release of the original Shelby GT-350H models (“H” stands for “Hertz”), which were available only through rental offices in selected cities.
In 1966, Hertz’s charged customers the normal convertible fee of $13 a day and 13 cents a mile (some location charged as much as $17 a day & 17 cents a mile) for the opportunity to take the special-edition Shelby Mustang out on their own for as many days and miles as they could afford.
Under the hood of the 1966 Shelby GT-350 H was a modified Ford 289 cubic inch V8, with a large Holley four-barrel carburetor, solid lifters, 11.6:1 compression ratio, and 306 horsepower.
Of the nearly 1000 assembled, only 85 came fabricated with the 4-speed manual gearbox, and the balance were equipped with the heavy-duty 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmissions.
For 1966, the GT-350H was based on the Mustang 2 plus 2-fastback coupe with custom side brake scoops, a hood air scoop and rear quarter windows in place of side ventilators.
The majority of 1966 models were painted black with two gold LeMans stripes that started from under the front grille, ran up over the hood, roof, trunk, and down the rear end.
Incidentally, the black and gold color combination has been a hallmark of Hertz’s vehicle history dating to the 1920s
Even more rare than finding a black and gold GT-350H would be to locate one of the approximately 50 red, 50 green, 50 blue and 50 white GT-350H's that roamed freely four decades ago.
No matter the color, when motorists chose the 1966 Shelby GT-350H with the manual shifter, they would have been offered the opportunity to receive a familiarization drive from a member of the Hertz’s Sports Car Club. Initiated two years earlier in seven cities, the Hertz Sports Car Club Service was formed for the purpose of renting high-performance American and British cars.
Fast-forward to 2006 and the arrival of the Shelby GT-H Mustang in late May as part of Hertz’s new Fun Collection series.
Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc, and the father of the original 1966 GT-350H, also conceived the new GT-H. His plans are to assemble a mere 500 units.
In the development of the GT-H, Shelby started with the 2006 Mustang GT fastback, and pumped up the standard 4.6-liter V8 to 325 horsepower, 25 more than stock, and with an additional 10-pound per feet of torque has made this steed one potent pony.
The 2006 Shelby GT-H comes with a five-speed automatic tranny, Ford Racing’s 90mm cold air kit, an X-pipe similar to the one used on the new Shelby GT500 Mustang, a throaty performance exhaust, painted brake calipers, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Reminiscent of the 1966 version, the exterior of the new GT-H is finished in the recognizable black body with gold stripes motif, and wears gold rocker panel stripes that include "Shelby GT-H" nomenclature, Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, hood pins, brushed aluminum grille with running horse emblem, integrated lower grille, and body side scoops.
Inside the cockpit are Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates, and a numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature.
When asked about his latest creation, the very active 83-year old Shelby said,
"Like the original Hertz cars, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be fun to drive. "We started with a terrific Mustang and modified it with some Ford go-fast parts and gave it a distinct look for Shelby-style driving. Whoever gets the opportunity to rent one of these unique cars will get an experience of a lifetime."
The latest Shelby GT-H is available in selected cities with weekly rental fees ranging from the low-$500 in Boston to nearly $900 in Honolulu, including taxes and surcharges.
Some Hertz locations quote a maximum of 500 miles gratis, while others give 700 miles before the 29-cent per mile charge kicks in.
If you take their loss damage wavier insurance it will add an additional $34.99 per day.
Drivers will have to be at least 25 years old with a clean operators license before they’re handed the keys to muscle car paradise.
Along with the Shelby GT-H, the Hertz Fun Collection offers vehicles ranging from the Chevy HHR and Nissan 350Z, to the Jeep Wrangler and Hummer H3.
Convertibles in the Fun Collection include the Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, PT Cruiser and Chrysler Sebring.
To see which vehicles are available at participating Hertz locations visit www.hertz.com. Reservation can also be made through travel agents or by calling the Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131. |