This is a mega-Hertz rental car for the petrolhead who wants to ride a powerful “pony” in America.
Fifty years after the Shelby GT350-H was introduced, Ford Motor Company, Shelby American and car rental giant Hertz have unveiled a special performance-modified 2016 Ford Mustang GT (reviewed here in its unmodified form) named the Shelby GT-H, which will be available for rent beginning Memorial Day (May 30) 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-Hs will be available exclusively through the Hertz Adrenaline Collection at select airport locations in the continental United States, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Orlando and Detroit.
Fifty years ago, Carroll Shelby and Hertz saw an opportunity to put customers in the driver’s seat of high-performance special-edition Shelbys. Ford supplied the then-new Mustangs with V8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions, Shelby added extra performance and style, while Hertz gave the public access to a unique driving experience through what was known then as its “Rent-A-Racer” programme.
The companies repeated the same formula for the successful Ford Shelby GT-H programme in 2006. Today, the story of the Shelby/Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” is legendary and the first two generations are among the most coveted by collectors worldwide.
Shelby American, Ford and Hertz have once again repeated history to give the 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H a very classic, muscular look with additional performance capabilities.
As with the past two generations, the 2016 Ford Shelby GT-H is instantly recognisable with several styling enhancements that celebrate its performance heritage.
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 a 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-litre V8 engine’s capabilities, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with aunique Shelby-designed vented hood, carbon fibre 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 head restraints, 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 when they rent one for the road. (Not all rental cars are as hot as the Shelby GT-H.) 
