On 21 December 1965, the Hertz Car Rental Company ordered 1,000 Shelby GT350s from Shelby American. An H was added to the GT350 to designate these as Hertz cars. All 1,000 were initially intended to be painted black with gold stripes; however, 61 red, 50 blue, 50 green, and 50 white cars were delivered to the Hertz company. These Hertz cars became known as “rent-a-racers” and would be seen at local racetracks. It has been said that enthusiasts would rent the cars long enough to swap out the desirable Shelby engine and replace it with their Mustang engine before returning the rental car to Hertz. Whether the cars lost their original engines while owned by Hertz or during the following 50-plus years, it is a fact that many of these cars no longer have their original blocks. This is an opportunity to own an extremely rare red Shelby Hertz car with its original engine block.

This car is one of the 61 red Shelby Hertz cars produced. The confidential Ford identification number on the car as well as on the block match and have been verified with the SAAC as correct for Shelby chassis number SFM 6S977. Originally supplied to Trudell Ford in Warren, Michigan, in March 1966 for delivery to the Hertz Corporation, the GT350 H has since spent the majority of its years residing with owners in sunny California and Texas. It retains original Hertz magnum wheels, Cobra tachometer, competition seat belts, and more. It is also equipped with power steering and brakes.

The subject of a comprehensive restoration performed by noted marque specialist Tony Conover, this rare GT350 H was chosen to be featured in Mustang & Ford magazine. A file of documentation accompanies the car, including copies of original sale paperwork and a letter from SAAC Shelby Mustang registrar Howard Pardee. Carroll Shelby’s signature on the glove-box door is the icing on the cake.