History Of The 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350-H: The Hertz Rent-A-Racer 28 January 2025 All Articles Previous / Next A classic Ford Mustang that redefined grassroots motorsports! Over the 60-year history of the Ford Mustang, countless models stand out as highly collectible, and the 1966 Shelby GT350-H is a prime example. Affectionately known as the “Rent-a-Racer,” the GT350-H debuted in September 1965 thanks to a partnership between Hertz Corporation and Shelby American. This Shelby Mustang represented a bold intersection of American automotive ingenuity, marketing creativity, and, of course, speed-driven culture. Keep reading to learn more about one of the most collectible classic Ford Mustangs and why this rental car’s black-and-gold paint job left a lasting impact on Mustang enthusiasts. Explore Classic Ford Mustang Restomods From Velocity The story of the GT350-H begins with the collaboration between Ford and Shelby American, which created the GT350 in 1965. Recognizing its potential as a performance platform, Shelby American transformed the standard Mustang into a lightweight, track-ready machine built for enthusiasts who demanded more power and precision. The Shelby GT350 was an instant hit on showroom floors and race tracks alike, and to capitalize on that popularity, the Shelby GT350-H provided Hertz with a marketing advantage and amateur racers with a track advantage. At the time, Hertz was looking for creative ways to differentiate itself in the competitive car rental market, so teaming up with Shelby American gave Hertz the revolutionary ability to offer high-performance Shelby GT350-H Mustangs for rent to Hertz Sports Car Club members. The collaboration allowed Hertz to market itself as an exciting, forward-thinking company while allowing customers to get behind the wheel of a car that most could never afford to own—rentals were available in more than 60 cities with prices of just $17 per day plus 17 cents per mile. Hertz’s brochure for the 1966 Shelby GT350-H backed this up by stating: “these cars are available to business travelers who want a change of pace in motoring, by sports car owners away from home, and by vacationers who consider driving an enjoyable holiday sport.” Click the image below to download the original Hertz brochure for the GT350-H in its entirety. Screen shot from original Hertz brochure | Courtesy: Over-Drive-Magazine.com Although the initial volume of Shelby cars was expected to be in the 100-200 unit range, the final number of GT350-H Mustangs produced in 1966 was 1,000. Contrary to popular belief, not all GT350-H were Raven Black nor did all come with the gold “LeMans” stripes, but the majority (about 75%) did feature this now-recognizable color combination; other available colors included Wimbledon White, Candy Apple Red, Ivy Green, and Sapphire Blue. None of the red Shelbys and only a few green ones had the top racing stripes, and some white cars had a blue stripe package. Hertz wheel caps and a dash warning label are the only other visual cues that set the GT350-H apart from the standard Shelby GT350. Speaking of the transmission, it’s important to note that the GT350-H (like the GT350) stands out from the basic Mustang with its more powerful K-code Cobra 289 CID V8, rated at 306 horsepower. Other performance features included front disc brakes, beefier suspension, fiberglass side scoops to cool the rear brakes, a dash-mounted tachometer, and Plexiglas rear quarter windows. For many renters, the GT350-H provided a thrilling taste of speed and precision that was otherwise inaccessible. Today, the GT350-H is a sought-after collector’s item. Its unique history, limited production numbers, and iconic paint scheme made it a standout in the world of classic cars. Original examples of the GT350-H command significant attention at auctions, often fetching premium prices due to their rarity and historical significance. Car enthusiasts celebrate the Rent-a-Racer for its rarity, performance, and bold marketing strategy, which helped bring high-performance driving within reach of the average American. According to Hertz, this program was a “huge success,” but it ultimately failed due to high repair costs and low profit margins. The GT350-H is popular among collectors, and it made a brief yet prominent appearance in the 2005 film War of the Worlds starring Tom Cruise, allowing it to make our list as one of the best classic Ford Mustang movie cars. Reviving A Legend The GT350-H’s story didn’t end in the 1960s. In 2006, Shelby and Hertz revived their partnership to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original program. The result was the 2006-07 Shelby GT-H, a modern take on the Rent-A-Racer concept. Sporting the familiar black-and-gold livery, the GT-H offered a nostalgic yet updated driving experience, complete with the muscular styling and advanced performance features of a contemporary Mustang. The 2006 model year consisted of just 500 GT-H coupes, while 2007 consisted of 500 GT-H convertibles. A decade later, the 2016 Shelby GT-H arrived marking the 50th anniversary of the Rent-A-Racer. While previous GT-H Mustangs were built by Shelby, this version was a factory effort from Ford, which saw 140 black-and-gold coupes for Hertz’s “Adrenaline Collection.” Both modern GT-H models paid tribute to the original 1966 model combining iconic vintage style with updated technology and even more thrilling performance. Velocity Street Series 1968 Ford Mustang Marketing image of the 1966 Shelby GT350-H | Credit: HertzVelocity Street Series 1968 Ford Mustang in Classic Black with gold stripes and accents.The latest classic Ford Mustang restomod from Velocity Restorations pays homage to the GT350-H, with a sleek Classic Black paint job adorned with gold-painted racing stripes and matching gold rocker stripes. Staggered Forgeline wheels punctuate the Mustang’s aggressive stance, and the gold-colored billet quarter window insert with exposed carbon fiber provides added character to the eye-catching car. Inside, luxury and performance collide with more carbon fiber found on the dash, and the black leather upholstery with gold accent stitching fuse classic style and modern comfort. The premium Recaro bucket seats leave no doubt the Velocity Street Series 1968 Ford Mustang is all about performance, while the Alcantara headliner adds a touch of sophistication. Under the hood, the advanced Gen III 5.0L Coyote V8 roars to life, paired with a Roadster Shop Spec Chassis, adjustable coilovers, and Baer performance four-wheel disc brakes, ensuring precision handling and exceptional stopping power. This restomod truly blends classic style with cutting-edge engineering. Explore Classic Ford Mustang Restomods From Velocity Share this article