Hertz Heritage: The Rise of the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H

Car enthusiasts will already be aware of an important milestone – the 1966 introduction of the special-edition Shelby Mustang GT350-H. As soon as it was launched, car fans were immediately infatuated with its remarkable design and high-class performance. The “H” stands for Hertz – the only company that offered this model for rent.

The 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H car quickly became a legend and has remained so through the years. It wasn’t all about the attractive design either, but the fact that more people could now afford to take a spin in a dream sports car thanks to Hertz.

Hertz “Rent-a-Racer” Program

September 1965 marked the beginning of a landmark business agreement: Hertz’s “Rent-a-Racer” Program partnered with Shelby American to offer the Mustang GT350-H as a rental car to its customers. 1,000 GT350-Hs were added to the Hertz fleet for Hertz Sports Club members to rent.

But how did the program work? If you were a Hertz Sports Club member and over 25 years old, you could rent a 306 horsepower Mustang for $17 per day and 17 cents per mile – a bargain at the time.

Most drivers welcomed this rare opportunity to drive a vehicle that they would never be able to afford to buy. As a result, the Shelby Mustang GT350-H proved very popular among Hertz Sports Club members.

The 1966 Hertz brochure advertised the Mustang GT350-H as a great choice for business and leisure travelers alike. It would appeal to those looking for a new motoring experience and a change of pace. 

Shelby GT350H Mustang and Hertz Today

The Hertz “Rent-a-Racer” Program was a huge success, but eventually reached a point when it was impossible and could no longer continue. The repair expenses became too high and the profit margins too low. The story goes that some customers would take their GT350-H for a weekend of amateur racing and return the vehicle in a ramshackle condition. However, for those who were fortunate enough to experience the magic of renting a racer, the memories live on.

Classic car collectors can testify that the 1966 Shelby GT350-H Mustang has become a very popular and rare vehicle. The ones that are still left in commission are now extremely valuable, earning a net of more than $200,000 at auction. Those who are lucky enough to still own a Shelby GT350-H hold the keys to an integral piece of Mustang and Hertz’s history.

In 2006, 40 years after the initial partnership, Shelby and Hertz reunited once again to launch the 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang. It was made available to rent as part of the Hertz “Fun Collection.”

The 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang offered a fresh take on the 1960s model, with a classic, muscular build and signature gold racing stripes.

Ten years later, in 2016, Hertz and Shelby teamed up once again to bring back this iconic car for the 50th anniversary of their partnership. Ford produced 140 Mustang GT-Hs and made them available for rental as part of the Hertz “Adrenaline Collection” at 17 airport locations across the U.S.

Interested in learning more Hertz history? Discover more fascinating stories, alongside exclusive car rental tips and advice in the Hertz automotive blog.