In 1966, Carroll Shelby struck a deal with Hertz to offer a high performance rental car to the public for the first time, making the legendary performance of the Shelby GT 350 accessible to the general public. The GT 350 had been around for just a year, but it had already gained an excellent reputation both on the street and on race tracks across the country.

Offering such an incredible car as the GT 350 truly set Hertz apart from rental car companies of the day. Enthusiasts that might not have been able to afford purchasing such a car could now rent it on a Friday afternoon and drop it off at Hertz on Monday morning, after a weekend full of racing or high-speed cruising. The cost to rent all this performance was just $17 a day and 17 cents per mile; or $70 per week. The cars quickly earned the nickname “rent-a-racers.”

This Shelby GT 350 Hertz was shipped to Hi-Performance Motors Inc. in El Segundo, California for dealer prep and pre-delivery inspection, the latter of which was completed on 12/24/65. The car was later delivered to Hertz of Los Angeles, at which time they were invoiced a total of $3,899.70. This accounted for the car, chrome Magnum wheels, radio, brake booster, pre-delivery inspection and freight. Once Hertz was finished with the car, it was shipped back to Shelby American for resale. The car was picked up by Hi-Performance Motors, Inc. on 3/31/67 at which time they were invoiced $2,600. The car was purchased by its original owner Paul McKibbon of Inglewood, California in 1967. Among other modifications, he installed a Mustang interior trunk release. McKibbon sold the car to his nephew John Marti of Pamona, California. In May of 1971 the car was purchased by Robert E. Ground of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Presented in its original Black with Gold stripes the car shows very nicely. It’s powered by a 289-cid V-8 engine which is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The interior is completed in black. A rare vehicle, this Shelby GT 350 Hertz is one of only 1,000 produced in 1966. This stunning example is sure to impress future ownership.