Shelby GT350H in the works for New York?
While
Ford's PR guys and gals maintain strict radio silence on the issue, AutoWeek claims that the highly-anticipated throwback Mustang that Ford is
preparing for the next month's New York Auto Show will be none other than a reincarnation of the Shelby GT350H-- complete with a gold-on-black paint job. The original vehicle, the 1966 Shelby
GT350H, was a higher-performance Mustang developed especially for rental company Hertz (thus the "H"
designation), and was allegedly used by its renters for racing. According to AutoWeek, the company only
built 999 of the vehicle and fit it with a 289-cid, 306-hp V8 engine. Even with Hertz
more-or-less out of the picture, might Ford decide to offer this up for sale as well?
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gunnar Heinrich 12:15PM (3/23/2006)
Ford to sell a new version of a classic car? I'd believe it - Mercedes-Benz is still selling us the ancient Gelaendewagen that debuted in 1978.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
Reply
Puff Chippy 12:22PM (3/23/2006)
Can't see anyone really buying into this one. There are a lot of old classic Mustang themes you could resurrect but this isn't one of them. Now if they really were offered through Hertz like the originals that might be a different story.
Reply
James Fabin 12:28PM (3/23/2006)
I'd be interested in it - brings back memories of real muscle cars, something that is missing today.
James
Reply
Crusin 12:33PM (3/23/2006)
I'll take a BOSS thanks! You can keep the 350H.
Reply
cowboy bob 12:39PM (3/23/2006)
I think you are wrong Puff hippy. The black/gold with a powerful identity motor will knock their socks off. If they limit production, the price will be above sticker by a grand easy before it leaves the lot. A future collectable for sure.
Reply
Dustin Tarditi 12:55PM (3/23/2006)
Hopefully it's a little more than just a graphics package...
Reply
JayP 12:58PM (3/23/2006)
GT 350H... has to be an automatic tranny.
Was the Hertz edition any more hi-po than the standard GT 350?
Reply
Corey W. 12:59PM (3/23/2006)
Not sure I understand, is this going to be a custom built, limited edition vehicle... Or just some customization of the existing platform. If the latter, you can forget about "collector" status...
Reply
Brad Barnett 1:22PM (3/23/2006)
Even though Hau Thai-Tang has said that the '66 G.T. 350 is his favorite Mustang, this announcement blind-sided me. I know the GT/CS is coming soon, but I didn't know about the 350.
There has never been a model year in which a GT500 was available and a GT350 wasn't, and this car could help fill the gap between the 300-hp GT and 475-hp GT500. I'd like to see Ford use the FR1, FR2, and FR3 packs (http://www.fordracingparts.com/performancepackages/performancepackages.asp) to increase handling and performance to make this a real enthusiasts' car.
The original GT350H wasn't available in just black/gold. It also came in Wimbledon White/gold, Sapphire Blue/gold, Dark Ivy Green/gold, and Candy Apple Red/gold.
I hope the new version is available in more than black/gold. I think Vista Blue/white, Performance White/Vista Blue, Torch Red/white, and Tungsten/black would be gorgeous versions of this car.
Reply
FastStangII 4:13PM (3/23/2006)
I would love to see the GT350H produced the same year that the GT500 comes out. The mustang needs that car in the middle to gap the GT and the GT500. A GT350 would be a perfect choice.
It would allow those who cannot affort the $40K + dealer markup to have a mustang they can be proud of. The GT is an amazing machine but there are those that want something above the standard car you see on the street. A GT350 with added exterior styling and a boost in HP would bridge the gap nicely!
The up coming GT/CS add some decent styling to a great muscle car but they forgot to add the extra muscle to go with the look.
Hopefully the GT350 is just the beginning of a few other SE cars for this body style.
Id also have to agree with Brad on the coloring. The mustang would look amazing with those color combinations. Sign me up for a Performance White w/ Vista Blue stripes GT350... just show me where to sign!
Reply
C-Dub 11:19PM (3/23/2006)
Hey Ford, how about throwing on those sweet taillights and tasty interior from the concept car a few years back? Now's your chance to right the wrong that is the current production car (as compared to the stunning original concept).
Reply
Car-la 7:37AM (3/24/2006)
So here we are back in the '60s. With a new GT500 and a GT350. Can it get any better than this?
Reply
Thomas Lewis 9:31PM (4/01/2006)
JayP,
The '66 GT-350H's were mostly automatics, but there were a sprinkling of 4-speeds in there. As noted, not all were black and gold, although most were since those are Hertz's colors.
The "H" had the same motor as the other GT-350's. As with all Shelby's you never knew exactly what you would get. Mine had the front suspension mod, but I understand that was rare in a "H". Mine also had traction-masters and functioning rear brake scoops.
SFM-6S1952.
Reply