Ford Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-A-Racer

Ford Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-A-Racer

In one of the most audacious marketing partnerships in automotive history, Carroll Shelby and the Hertz Corporation teamed up in 1966 to create the GT350H, a car that would become known as the 'Rent-A-Racer.' The concept was beautifully simple yet wildly ambitious: place genuine high-performance Shelby Mustangs in the Hertz rental fleet and let ordinary Americans experience the thrill of driving a real sports car.

The GT350H was based on the standard 1966 Shelby GT350, which itself was a heavily modified Ford Mustang fastback. Under the hood sat Ford's 289 cubic inch Hi-Performance V8, fitted with a Holley 715 CFM carburetor, aluminum high-rise intake manifold, and tubular steel headers. The engine produced a factory-rated 306 horsepower, though many enthusiasts believe this figure was conservatively stated.

Of the approximately 1,001 GT350H units produced, most were finished in the now-iconic black with gold Le Mans racing stripes, earning the nickname 'The Black and Gold.' While a handful were delivered in white, red, blue, or green, the black-and-gold combination has become the car's defining visual signature.

The majority of Hertz cars were equipped with C4 three-speed automatic transmissions to accommodate rental customers, though approximately 85 units received the four-speed manual gearbox. These manual-equipped cars are particularly prized by collectors today.

Legend has it that some creative renters would take their GT350H to the drag strip or local racetrack on weekends, then return it Monday morning. Stories abound of customers swapping the high-performance engine into their own Mustangs and returning the rental with a stock motor. While some of these tales may be apocryphal, the GT350H certainly lived up to its Rent-A-Racer reputation.

The car featured Shelby-specific modifications including a lowered front suspension, rear traction bars, Koni adjustable shock absorbers, and front disc brakes. The interior received a mahogany steering wheel, 140-mph speedometer, and 8000-rpm tachometer. Functional side scoops directed air to the rear brakes, and the fiberglass hood with functional scoop fed cold air to the carburetor.

After their rental service, most GT350H units were sold to the public at discounted prices. Many had been driven hard, and survival rates were initially low. Today, the GT350H is one of the most sought-after Shelby Mustangs, with well-documented examples commanding premium prices at auction. The car represents a unique moment in automotive history when the thrill of high-performance driving was made accessible to anyone willing to sign a rental agreement.