Launched in March 2006, the Hertz Fun Collection aimed to showcase “fun-to-drive” vehicles like the Nissan 350Z, PT Cruiser, Miata, and Wrangler. In 2005, when Walt Seaman, Vice President of Hertz Worldwide Fleet Operations, sought a special vehicle for the Fun Collection, he found inspiration in a 1966 Shelby GT350H displayed at Hertz Headquarters.
Reflecting on Hertz’s GT350H “Rent A Racer” program, Seaman approached Ford about producing 500 Mustang GT coupes to commemorate the 40-year-old program. Initially envisioning simple cosmetic changes, like gold stripes, Seaman discovered Ford was already collaborating with Shelby American on a special car. Hertz, Shelby, and Ford swiftly developed the Shelby GT-H Program in less than 90 days.
A black 2006 Mustang GT coupe was modified at Shelby American in Las Vegas, including a new front fascia, hood, side air scoops, and a Ford Racing Performance Package. Numbered Ford pieces were used for modifications, with exceptions like the Shelby hood.
The Shelby GT-H debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 2006, and used rental units were exclusively sold to Ford dealers at closed auctions. Shelby produced 496 automatic units for the Hertz rental fleet, with 20 purchased by Hertz executives and never rented.
The remaining four Mustang GTs, equipped with a manual transmission and a factory 18-inch wheel package, were never rented, featuring slightly larger wheels than the 17-inch ones on the automatic variants.
Photo Source: Broad Arrow Auctions
