Shelby’s legendary Hertz 'Rent-a-Racer'

The original Shelby GT350 proved such a success that Carroll Shelby made a deal with the Hertz rental car company to offer his hotted-up Mustang for hire to the general public. This was a master stroke by Shelby, cleverly promoting his new car through what amounted to paid test drives by potential buyers. A total of 1,000 GT350 H models, most of which were finished in black with gold Le Mans stripes, were supplied to Hertz in 1966. It was not uncommon for the cars to be returned after a weekend rental with signs of racing numbers still on the doors.

After this particular Shelby’s rental service, the car transitioned into private ownership, spending its life in the Southwest of the United States. The current owner recently completed an extensive rotisserie restoration, preserving the car’s originality. Remarkably, many of the car’s panels still bear their original March 1966 date stamps, reflecting its well-preserved condition. The restoration adhered to the highest standards, replicating factory details such as red-oxide primer with body colour overspray, and authentic factory markings.

The car retains several features unique to the GT350 Hertz models, including an Autolite four-barrel carburetor and a C Servo automatic transmission with a March 1966 casting date. It also sports a rare all-steel hood, a feature Shelby soon replaced with fiberglass. Crucially, during the restoration, the original Ford chassis number was confirmed to match the stamping on its 289-cubic-inch “K-code” Hi-Po V8 engine, further affirming its authenticity.

This beautiful Hertz ‘Rent-a-Racer’ 1966 Shelby GT350 H will feature as part of RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale on 15-17th August 2024. Photo © Courtney Frisk / RM Sotheby's