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Ford, Shelby, & Hertz Release the GT-H
Posted April 12, 2006 01:44 PM by Tim Beggs.
Well, we can now lay the rumor to rest. A past blog I wrote mentioned the possibility of the Shelby GT350H returning to modern times. Sadly, it is not...for now. Instead of rekindling an old flame, Ford, Shelby, and Hertz have come close to the original, marking the 40th anniversary of the Shelby Hertz GT350H with the release of the GT-H. Making its debut in New York, the GT-H is a high-performance twist on the 2006 Mustang GT with black paint and stately gold racing stripes along the hood and on the sides. This new pony hints strongly at the noble signature series of its 1966 ancestor.
“Rent-A-Racer” production is set at approximately 500 units, with each being distributed to Hertz, for rent exclusively through the Hertz Fun Collection, at select airports in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Hmm, time to schedule a “business” trip to one of these locations, isn’t it?
Memory Lane
If we step back forty years, we find Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation contriving an idea to deliver high-performance Mustangs into the hands of car enthusiasts as well as those who wanted to execute the “try before you buy” philosophy. These cars were supplied by Ford, modified by Shelby, and then were passed to Hertz for customers to get an experience otherwise found only at the race track. Today, these legendary GT-350H Mustangs are some of the most adored collector cars worldwide.
Family Ties
On the surface, both cars are quickly identifiable, with their attention-grabbing panache and the charismatic aura of an American icon. The paint and stripes are just the beginning for the new GT-H, however.
Highlights include Ford’s 4.6 liter 3-valve V8, a custom Shelby Performance hood (with matching pins), a brushed aluminum grille, a inimitable front fascia and integrated lower grille, painted brake calipers, and body scoops indicative of the Shelby Stangs of the classic era.
"This GT-H project has been terrific," said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. "My team here at Shelby Automobiles is very excited with what we have put together with Ford, and Hertz – a pony that not only has a special look, but can really run, too. Those who get to rent a GT-H in the coming months will have the opportunity to enjoy a car that looks, accelerates, handles and sounds the way a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang should. It will prove lots of fun for Hertz customers looking for some real driving excitement."
More go in the Show
Ford Racing Performance Group has applied Power Pack (FR1) to the GT-H, which will add 25 horsepower to the 300 hp V8 beneath the hood. A 5-speed automatic transmission will help transmit the increase in 10 lb/ft of torque to the rear wheels as well. Power Pack FR1 includes the follow upgrades: a Ford Racing 90mm cold air kit, a hi-flow cat-back & muffler kit, an X-pipe (akin to the one being used on the new GT500), and a performance tune. Out back, the rear end is equipped with a Ford Racing 3.55:1 ratio in the rear axle assembly to get the hooves pounding the pavement. The aforementioned components are all excellent ingredients for the recipe of success for the Shelby Mustang GT-H.
The extra oomph provided by the enhanced performance will quickly be applied to ground, as the GT-H has received a Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3). FR3 includes the installation of special-tuned dampers (derived from the FR500C), lowering springs, sway bars, and a strut tower brace.
"Any Mustang that traces its roots to a Shelby GT350H has to boast increased performance and handling over its factory stock configuration," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford Racing’s involvement with niche performance Mustang builds like this Hertz project is a natural for us as well as for Hertz and Shelby."
