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FORD,
SHELBY AND HERTZ TEAM UP FOR
SHELBY GT-H “RENT A RACER” CONVERTIBLE
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 New
Shelby GT-H is the first convertible in the history of Shelby/Hertz
“Rent-A-Racer” program
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500
convertibles will be available for rent through the Hertz Fun Collection
at select airport locations
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Shelby GT-H
packs Ford Racing performance and handling parts in the classic Black &
Gold Hertz livery
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The
convertible GT-H makes a live debut during the Barrett-Jackson Auction
on SPEED on March 31, as CS VIN #001 is sold for $250,000, benefiting
the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation
Palm Beach,
Fla., March 31, 2007 – Lightning has struck again, the Ford Shelby GT-H
“Rent-A-Racer” program from Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The
Hertz Corporation has returned with a special run of convertible versions
of the performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs for rent exclusively through
Hertz. Unveiled and sold for $250,000 on the block at the Barrett-Jackson
Auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., the companies announced that
approximately 500 convertibles, a first for the GT-H program, will be
available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations in
Arizona, California, Colorado, and Hawaii, later this year. Proceeds of
the sale will benefit the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.
The Shelby
GT-H Mustang program was launched in 2006 to commemorate a plan by Carroll
Shelby and The Hertz Corporation in 1966 to help put high-performance,
special-edition Shelby Mustang coupes into the hands of racing
enthusiast-minded rental customers. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with
V-8 engines and automatic transmissions while Shelby added extra
performance and style. Hertz gave the public access to a unique driving
experience. Those Shelby GT-H Mustang coupes are being retired from the
fleet, and are in the process of being auctioned off to Ford dealers. Some
of the early GT-H coupes to reach auction have achieved impressively high
prices – in the range of $60,000-$90,000 – which underscores the
desirability of the Shelby GT-H program.
The program
was so popular that Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up to create
the first Shelby GT-H Mustang convertibles. The 500 cars will be built at
Shelby Auto’s facility in Las Vegas for delivery to Hertz.
“The Ford
Shelby GT-H was so much fun to drive that people literally begged us for
more,” said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. “The Mustang
program never stands still, so we created a Ford Shelby GT-H convertible
that gives people another unique driving experience. It’s a genuine
American pony car that delivers open air motoring.”
Hertz
Fun Collection
Highlighting its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car
rental market, Hertz’s Fun Collection features vehicles tailor-made for
travelers seeking exciting driving experiences. The Fun Collection, with
cars that can be reserved by specific make and model, adds more
entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with
SIRIUS (Nasdaq: SIRI)* Satellite Radio.
The 2008
Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will be available at select airport
locations that feature the Hertz Fun Collection including Phoenix,
Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco,
California; Denver, Colorado; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas,
Nevada.
“We’re
excited to be offering a special edition Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible,”
commented Joe Nothwang, Executive Vice President and President of the
Americas and Pacific for Hertz. “Customer reaction to last year’s Shelby
GT-H Mustang was so positive that we felt it only natural to offer yet
another exclusive car through Hertz’s Fun Collection. Once again,
customers can experience the thrill of renting a high-performance car that
provides the utmost in driving experiences while adding a splash of fun
with its open roof capabilities.”
Consumers
can check-out the Shelby GT-H convertible which will be on display in the
SIRIUS booth, booth CP-9 (Crystal Palace 9), at the New York International
Auto Show April 6 – 15, 2007.
With the
addition of the Shelby GT-H Mustang Convertible, Hertz now offers 14 Fun
Collection cars that can be specifically reserved. More than 40,000 Fun
Collection vehicles are available at approximately 20 major airport
locations in the United States.
Shelby
Styling
Like its 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang coupe, the 2008 convertible will be
instantly recognizable. Clad in black exterior paint set off with gold “Le
Mans” dual racing stripes and “Shelby GT-H” rocker stripes, each will wear
a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H
sill plates. A numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature will be
inside the cockpit.
The Shelby
GT-H Mustang convertible will be fitted with a unique hood with pins and a
brushed aluminum grille with running horse emblem. A unique front fascia
with integrated lower grille, as well as a set of body side scoops will be
incorporated. The GT-H’s 18-inch black aluminum wheels will be shod with
P235/55ZR18 performance rubber. To give the car additional stiffness, a
stylish light bar and supplemental bracing will also be added to the
convertible.
Thundering Ponies
Ford Racing Performance Group’s Power Pack (FR1) will kick up the 4.6L
V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain to 319 horsepower. To put
that extra power to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H will feature the Ford
Racing Handling Pack (FR3) including special-tuned dampers, lowering
springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace – plus a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle
assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.
“Any
Mustang touched by Carroll Shelby has a head start on becoming a legend,
and a highly desirable collectible, but they're all designed to be seen,
heard and driven hard” said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North
America Marketing, Sales and Service. “That's why demand is so high in our
showrooms, and on the auction block.”
With total
production expected to number only 500 units exclusively for Hertz rental
fleets, this special-edition Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will give
Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience.
“This GT-H
project was a tremendous success and demand for the sexy pony car led
Shelby Autos and Ford to offer a retail version to the public,” said Amy
Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. “Working together with Ford and
Hertz, we look forward to creating history with the first Shelby GT-H
Mustang convertible. This car will deliver the looks and performance
expected of a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang. It will give
Hertz customers the opportunity to enjoy a rare muscle car with real
top-down driving excitement.”
Hertz
Fun Collection
The Hertz Fun Collection features convertibles including the Ford Mustang,
Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Crossfire and
Nissan 350Z; coupes/roadsters including Ford Mustang (hard-top), Chrysler
Crossfire, and Nissan 350Z; and SUVs such as the Ford Edge AWD, Jeep
Wrangler, and Hummer H3. For Shelby GT-H or other Hertz Fun Collection
reservations, or to see which vehicles are available, visit www.hertz.com.
The Hertz Fun Collection may also be reserved through travel agents or by
calling the Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131. |
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