Shelby American and Hertz Reveal 50th Anniversary GT-H Rent-A-Racer
When you go on vacation the pickings at the rental car counter usually aren’t the greatest. Sure, you can get a convertible Mustang if you’re lucky, but it’s usually the base V6. Most of the time, it’s even worse and you’re stuck with a “Kia Sephia or similar.” But if you’re lucky enough to be renting from select Hertz airport locations, you can be rocking a 50th anniversary Shelby GT-H Rent-A-Racer.
Over the years, Shelby American and Ford have worked together to build special editions that you could rent from Hertz. While the idea seems bonkers (it still does today, honestly), the bean counters green-lit the idea on more than one occasion. The beauty of these cars is they were performance Mustangs that you literally could (and people did) take to the race track.
To celebrate the heritage 140 of these new GT-H cars will be available to rent. They’ll all be black with the gold stripe, have unique wheels and super sticky tires, and have the performance exhaust and suspensions added. They’ll look the part with unique exterior bits and special badging.
And, in theory, you could take them to the racetrack. Though I’d suggest checking out the renter’s agreement and take out the optional insurance. Ya know, just to be safe.
The full press release is after the gallery below. Let us know what you think about this new Mustang by heading over to the forums and leaving a comment!
MAR 21, 2016 | NEW YORK
SHELBY AMERICAN, HERTZ AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY LAUNCH 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION FORD SHELBY GT-H
- Shelby GT-H celebrates 50th anniversary of Ford ShelbyHertz GT350-H “Rent-A-Racer”
- Special run of 140 units can be rented exclusively through Hertz’s Adrenaline Collection at select airport locations
- Shelby GT-H combines great performance in classic Shelby and Hertz livery
NEW YORK – March 21, 2016 – Fifty years after the Shelby GT350-H was introduced, Ford Motor Company,Shelby American and Hertz unveiled a special run of performance-modified 2016 Ford Mustang GTs named the Shelby GT-H that will be available for rent beginning Memorial Day weekend. As a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350-H “Rent-A-Racer” program of the 1960s, a total of 140 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H’s will be available exclusively through the Hertz Adrenaline Collection at select airport locations in the continental United States.
“The1966 Ford Shelby GT350-H became a legend from the moment it was introduced,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “Ten years ago, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H earned the same ‘rock star’ status when it was introduced at the New York Auto Show. We worked closely with Ford Performance to make the 2016 Shelby GT-H the most exciting Mustangever to wear the iconic Hertz black and gold livery.”
Click here to see all of the 2016 Shelby GT-H images.
Fifty years ago, Carroll Shelby and Hertz saw an opportunity to put customers in the driver’s seat of high-performance special edition Shelby’s. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions, Shelby added extra performance and style and Hertz gave the public access to a unique driving experience through what was known then as its new “Rent-A-Racer” program. The companies repeated the same formula for the successful Ford Shelby GT-H program in 2006. Today, the story of the Shelby/Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” is legendary and the first two generation cars are among the most coveted by collectors worldwide.
Shelby American, Ford and Hertz repeated history to give the 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H a very classic, muscular look with additional performance capabilities.
“Our goal was to give everyone a chance to add some fun to their travel with a distinctive American pony car,” said Doug White, Ford Performance Parts manager. “So Ford Performance and Shelby American sharpened the handling, improved theperformance, sweetened the exhaust note and added distinctive Hertz styling to the Mustang.Anyonewho rents a limited edition Ford Shelby GT-H will enjoy a very special driving experience.”
The 2016 special edition Ford Shelby GT-H marks another Hertz car rental milestone in offering high-performance and specialty vehicles throughout the company’s 98-year history, and today through itsAdrenaline, Dream Cars and Prestige collections.
“For nearly 100 years, understanding our customers’ needs and interests has remained at the forefront of our business,” said Matt Jauchius, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Hertz Global Holdings. “This special 50th anniversary edition of the Ford Shelby GT-H not only underscores our commitment to deliver a fun and personalized rental experience, but it also has helped Hertz become the premium brand it is today. It’s sure to be an exhilarating drive for anyone who has the chance to get behind the wheel of this one-of-a-kind ride.”
As with the past two generations, the 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H is instantly recognizable with several styling enhancements that celebrateitsheritage. Each Shelby GT-H will wear black exterior paint, set off with gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz vehicles dating back to the 1920s.Shelby’s traditional “Le Mans” dual racing stripes are combined with a set of rocker stripes that include special “Shelby GT-H” nomenclature. Each car will also wear a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered badge.
Ford Performance is supplying a cat-back performance exhaust for that throaty sound that will make this car unmistakably a Shelby Mustang GT-H. To put all of the horsepower to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H also comes with the Ford Racing Handling Pack, including special-tuned dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a staggered wheel kit. The Shelby GT-H rides on 19-inch aluminum wheels wearing high performance Michelin rubber.
To hint at the 5.0liter V8 engine’s capabilities, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with aunique Shelby-designed vented hood, carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler. Special badges appear in the front grille, rear faux gas cap and trunk lid. Inside, Shelby GT-H logos are on the headrestraint, sill plates and floor mats.
Shelby American will build the cars at its assembly facility in Las Vegas. With total production expected to number only around 140 units exclusively destined for Hertz rental fleets across the country, this special-edition car will give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience. To watch the build of a Shelby GT-H, visitwww.shelby.com.
To learn more about the 2016 Shelby GT-H, visit www.hertz.com/ShelbyGTH. To reserve other vehicles available through the Hertz Adrenaline Collection visit www.hertz.com. Hertz Adrenaline Collection vehicles may also be reserved through travel agents or by calling Hertz toll-free at (800) 654-3131.
Ford Shelby GT-H Specifications:
Ford Performance Parts
- Ford Performance Handling Pack
- Ford Performance cat back Exhaust with chrome tip
- Staggered Wheel Kit
Tires/Wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires 255/40ZR19 (front) and 275/40ZR19 (rear)
- Matte black 19 inch wheels with GT-H wheel center caps
Exterior
- Shelby Carbon Fiber Front Splitter
- Shelby GT-H Polycarbonate Hood w/ Hood Vents
- Shelby GT-H Upper and Lower Grille
- Shelby GT-H Rocker Panels with Carbon Fiber Accent Plates
- Shelby GT-H Rear Spoiler
- Shelby GT-H Gold Striping
- Hertz Front Fender Emblem
- Powered by Ford Performance Emblem
- Shelby GT-H Front Grille Emblem
- Shelby C-Pillar Emblem
- Rear SHELBY Letters on Trunk Lid
- Faux Gascap GT-H Logo
- Washer nozzle relocation kit
Interior
- Shelby GT-H Dash Plaque
- Shelby GT-H Head Restraint Cover Set
- Shelby GT-H Sill Plates LH/RH
- Shelby GT-H Floor Mats
Engine Appearance
- Shelby GT-H engine plaque
- Shelby GT-H engine cap kit
via [Ford]
