Rare Shelby GT350H Heads to Mecum Orlando Auction Block
Dressed in rare white-and-gold combo, Shelby GT350H one of 999 made for Hertz in ’66, fully restored and autographed by Carroll Shelby.
Though Hertz is hurting at the moment due to shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, there was a time when things were right at the rental counter. Especially if you were also a Shelby Mustang fan. In 1966, the late Carroll Shelby teamed up with Ford and Hertz bring a ton of hot Texas chili to the lot, in the form of the GT350H. Just 999 were built for the ’66 model year, most of which in black with gold stripes. All of them hit the track on the weekends while at Hertz, then eventually returned to Ford for sale to the public.
This GT350H, though, stands out for its color. Instead of black with gold, this one’s white with gold. Now, it heads down to Orlando to roll across the red carpet of Mecum Auctions at the end of July.
Originally delivered to Hertz’s counter in Chicago April 5, 1966 by Jack Loftus Ford, the GT350H has ownership records dating back to 1972. And speaking of records, the white pony is in the Shelby American Automobile Club registry, who also verified the serial numbers on the car. Even the shipping documents come with this rare thunderhorse.
Under the hood of the GT350H is, of course, the 289 V8, one linked to the 9-inch rear through an automatic. In its day, 306 thoroughbreds with a combined 329 lb-ft of torque made short work at the track. A few herds even turned up to run in SCCA’s production class.
Inside, the hottest feature is Shelby’s signature on the glove box door, plus the certificate of authenticity from the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. Otherwise, it’s your black interior with chrome trim, plus the big wood-and-chrome Shelby Cobra steering wheel. The dash-mounted tach is a really cool touch, too.
Imagine the stories the GT350H could tell, including the ones from its time with Hertz. It wasn’t often one could rent a race car in the same place one could rent more staid machines. However, for at least a time in the Sixties, Shelby and Hertz delivered the goods.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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