According to the Shelby American World Registry, this genuine GT350 began life as one of the GT350H rental cars for Hertz’s infamous “Rent-A-Racer” program, and it was shipped in December 1965 to Milo Brooke Inc., of Chicago, for dealer preparation before final delivery to the Hertz headquarters. Following its brief stint in livery use, during which time it was finished in the customary black and gold GT350H livery, the car was sold in late 1966 or early 1967 to Roger Meinke, of Adrian, Michigan. Like many of these cars, it eventually found its way to the race track, permanently.

In 2003, the Shelby was acquired by Cobra expert Scott Hackenson, of Cobra Automotive in Wallingford, Connecticut, renowned specialists in Carroll’s fastest creations. The shop began an extensive two-year restoration of the car as a front-running, well-prepared vintage racing car.

The all-steel body was fitted with a specially built 295-cubic inch Ford V-8, with 12.7:1 compression, a BLP 750 CFM Winston Cup race carburetor, and an Edelbrock Victor custom-ported intake manifold. The race-prepared Jericho transmission has a billet Super Hurst shifter and links to a nine-inch Ford rear end. Riding on a complete Cobra Automotive front and rear competition suspension, the Shelby is brought to a halt by four-wheel disc brakes, a more recent upgrade by the present owner. He also reports that the car’s engine has been further tuned, and it now produces an astonishing 572 brake horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque! All of that power finds its way down to four R-model-style American Racing wheels. The purpose-built interior features a Kirkey aluminum racing seat with a five-point harness, an R-model-style dashboard and gauges, and Plexiglas in the front and rear windows.

Finished in deep red with gold stripes, it debuted in 2005, competing with great success in 14 races and reaching the podium at such famous tracks as Lime Rock, Road America, Watkins Glen, Sebring, and Virginia International Raceway. Additionally, it was featured on the popular television program American Muscle Car and in numerous magazines, including the July 2007 issue of Victory Lane. It has continued to be successfully tracked in competition by its present owner over the last three years, and appropriately, it is well-dialed-in, complete with a collection of spares, including additional wheels and tires.

Rent-A-Racer? Why not buy one?