Shelby GT-H production begins in Las Vegas
The dice have been cast on the Shelby GT-H in Las Vegas where production of the limited edition Mustang has just begun at Shelby’s facility in the city of sin. The resurrected “Rent-A-Racer” will populate the planet to the tune of 500 copies that will be made available to rent through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations nationwide later this year. With 325-hp on tap beneath the foot of any average Joe with a license, we think it might be a good idea to spring for the extra insurance on this rental.
[Source: Investors]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 3:26PM (4/18/2006)
I really like the idea/concept of this car. But come on. Why only 500 copies? What a stupid idea/number of cars to produce! Why even waste your time ford?! Good job of taking the time to frustrate the hell out of true car enthusiast who would really like to get behind the wheel of this beauty. The waiting list from Hertz to get this car will be very long. Okay go ahead and offer these 500 copies in certain markets and also offer the regular Ford Mustang G.T. in the markets that you have neglected to offer this extremely very limited model in i.e. HOUSTON TEXAS, the fourth largest city in the US. Ford/Hertz will do well with this limited model. Ford should make enough of these to go around or not make any. Kinda like when you were caught chewing gum in grade school, if you did not bring enough for everyone, no one gets any.
Who picked the cities that this car will be offered in? Why only 500? Rhetorical questions!
OFFER THE FORD MUSTANG G.T. in your rental fleet that will not get the Shelby GT-H.
-Chris
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Gunnar Heinrich 3:26PM (4/18/2006)
Somebody at Hertz is genius.
But renting exotics is already being done - just not on a mass Hertz like scale. This could prove very interesting indeed.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/03/this-can-be-yours.html
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justin 3:34PM (4/18/2006)
agreed.
This car (GT350 is what it really should be called) should be released between GT and Cobra, a special edition a la Bullit or BOSS, only availbe in the original shelby color themes from the 60s.
This is the mustang i was waiting to buy, but not this way.
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James Fabin 3:42PM (4/18/2006)
I think this is a good idea for Hertz - it will help them develop their brand with the standard car renters (that's those who do not rent exotics - which you can already go rent with the right amount of cash). I've done the exotic rental before and it was well worth the extra money for the vehicle - helps make a vacation even more fun! If I'm at a Hertz counter in the future looking for something more fun then a Fusion, I'd gladly fork over the extra cash for the Mustang (and I'm not saying that because I'm a Mustang fan - I'm more of the M3 & M5 guy).
James
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doug 3:53PM (4/18/2006)
I think Ford is doing a brilliant job with limited editions of the Mustang. Most sport coupes see sharp sales declines as they age because the coupe market is a style market. If mustang owners see their identical car at every stoplight, it loses its specialness. By having limited runs - even if really they are mostly cosmetic - Ford keeps mxing it up, keeping interest high. If only Ford had other cars with the history of the Mustang to support these types of niche models.
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Bob Schindler 3:56PM (4/18/2006)
Years ago when I rented a GT 350 H, in Los angeles, it was necessary to have a check out drive with a Hertz employee. Then you got a laminated card with your name showing you to be a member of the Hertz Sports Car Club. As I recall that car was hard riding, its brake petal felt like it was welded to the frame and it was fast and fun. I drove it across the Angels Crest highway to Edwards AF Base
Most casual renters didn't like it. It was just too hard riding. I still have my Hertz Sports Car Club Card.
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Ron Wilson 4:07PM (4/18/2006)
This will be my next car!
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jim 4:29PM (4/18/2006)
#4....James...unfortunately the Hertz standard car renter is not an enthusiast to the degree those of us upset at this direction by Ford are. For those in the know this unit will be sold out at every Hertz location until the cars are hauled away w/ shredded tires/rims and blown trannies.and the standard renters who must meet expense report requirements or vacation budgets will be in Crown Vics, 500s and Freestyles. Someone at Ford believes that by slooooly drawing out intros that the interest will be maintained. That only works until something else comes along by another OEM that did not read Fords mktg strategy. Yes, this does p--s me off as well. Bill Ford spends millions telling us how his favorite ride is a Mustang.Hey Bill review the history of the brand and find someone w/ the passion for the pony.
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Ryan S. 4:45PM (4/18/2006)
I friggen love living here in Las Vegas!!!! (Actually Henderson, but who the hell knows that city!)
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mp 4:48PM (4/18/2006)
#1, Who ever stated that Ford had any brains, it takes brains to build a car or truck with reliability and being able to hold onto any resale value.
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saimin 4:58PM (4/18/2006)
This is a great idea. It capitalizes on the nostalgia surrounding the S197 and gives a little marketing bump to Hertz, Ford and Shelby. People have been quick to jump on Ford's case for all the special edition mustangs while forgetting that this is similar to what Blue Oval did 40 years ago.
Maybe after a drive in one of these, a renter might decide to shell out for his or her own Stang. You can also bet that these GT-H's will get snapped up by collectors once they reach the end of their rental lives; complete with beat-on engines and bald tires.
I for one will be cruising down to Lindberg Field this summer to rent my own to beat up. Just need to find out how much full insurance from Hertz is....
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Killbam 6:44PM (4/18/2006)
This idea p__sses you off why? Becuase it makes your GT350 less rare or because it gives an average Joe a shot to drive a GT305? The mustang is no super car, it's a car for the masses first off.
Wait no, you're actually mad because you have to pay for it. As if letting you rent it wasn't enough, you think they should give it out for free. And if they don't give it out for free then they're not true "Mustang enthusasists" and need to quit their jobs.
http://www.killbam.net
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Udayan Tripathi 8:25PM (4/18/2006)
I agree with Killbam, the Mustang is a car for the masses. This GT350H is another way to drive a powerful Mustang without buying one. Those who want to buy this, well Ford will bring out different middle cars between standard and GT500 throughout this model's lifespan.
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Jason Roten 7:55AM (4/19/2006)
I'm glad Ford is continuing to offer these special edition Mustangs, even if this one will be a rental but it's hard to get excited about this one. It's not like this car has a lot more horsepower than a standard GT, only 25 more horses. Almost all the Mustang magazines have run tech articles on installing a cold air kit and reflashing the computer, thus gaining more than 20hp and when paired with after market exhaust sytems they've recorded 30 plus additional horses. The exterior mods are all available from various vendors and most have been around since the first month of '05 production. I haven't seen many shots of the interior so I dont know what all they changed in that area but from what I've seen there doesn't appear to be any one off parts there either. As exciting as it is to have Shelby involved with Ford again, this car looks like just another Mustang that has had a few aftermarket parts thrown at it.
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Christian J 1:01PM (4/19/2006)
You can get the advertized "GO" in the GT-H simply by adding performance packs FR1 & FR3 from Ford Racing ($2000) plus an X-pipe. For "SHOW", though, that Shelby hood is tough to beat.
If Ford is going to offer an intermediate to the 07 Cobra and Stang GT, this is not it. The 03-04 Mach 1 was substantially better than the Base GT, for example. Though the 01 Bullitt was a less than 1/2 way between 01 GT and 01 Cobra (260-270-320 hp). I think if Ford does it the way they have in the past, the next REAL special will be a 5.4L N/A. with about 360 hp.
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Kasper 3:43PM (4/22/2006)
Woaw what a car.. I really like the thought of only making 500 of it.. because it'll only make it more speciel to own 1.. you see.. jag e-type.. if you ask me way to many of'em where made.. not that I don't like the e-type.. but I just can't stop thinking about that de rearness of the mustang will disapear..
sorry about my spelling.. (I'm from denmark ;))
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mark 12:18AM (4/23/2006)
Are you freekin kidding me-This car is just plain SWEET. No, its not the fastest-No, its not available for everyone to own, No, its not fair..WAAAAH, WAAAAH, WAAAAH. The old man is back in the saddle and I for one am looking forward to seeing "SHELBY" put back on to the car it should have never left. There is no better way for the Legend to ride off into the sunset.
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Jimmy in da Bronx 3:34PM (5/19/2006)
The GT350-H program is a terrific idea. I am a Hertz customer and a car enthusiast. I live in NYC and don't own a car because the parking is murder (300/mo. for a garage) and I take the subway to work. So I rent from Hertz. I've rented Jags (s-type 4.2), land rovers, and infinitis on special occassions along with my usual silver Taurus. It is not out of character for Ford to rent these cars, and I have just reserved a GT350-H in Boston for when I visit my sister in June. I asked specifically for this car from Hertz reservations. I was told to bring three forms of identifcation. I will let you know how the rental goes, but I anticipate the car will be there because they have always come through when I've reserved specific cars in the past. While the GT350-H is actually more of dressed up GT, it is rare that one gets to rent one for 3 three days at $350.00 including all the tax and rinky-dink rental fees. I may never own a Shelby, but i'm looking forward to drving one.
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Rico T 3:09PM (5/23/2006)
I'm VERY excited that I've managed to reserve it for one day on my upcoming trip to Los Angeles. As a Mustang enthusiast, it's gonna be AWESOME to take some pictures and drive around California for a day in this beeeautiful car. If you're trying to rent it June 2nd from LAX, too late!
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