2008 Shelby GT-H

Ford, Shelby and Herz Team Up for Shelby GT-H 'Rent a Racer' Convertible

Lightning has struck again, the Ford Shelby GT-H 'Rent-A-Racer' program from Ford, Shelby and Hertz has returned with a special run of convertible versions of the performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs for rent exclusively through Hertz. Únveiled and sold for $250,000 on the block at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., the companies announced that approximately 500 convertibles, a first for the GT-H program, will be available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Hawaii, later this year.

The Shelby GT-H Mustang program was launched in 2006 to commemorate a plan by Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation in 1966 to help put high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustang coupes into the hands of racing enthusiast-minded rental customers. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V-8 engines and automatic transmissions while Shelby added extra performance and style. Hertz gave the public access to a unique driving experience. Those Shelby GT-H Mustang coupes are being retired from the fleet, and are in the process of being auctioned off to Ford dealers. Some of the early GT-H coupes to reach auction have achieved impressively high prices – in the range of $60,000-$90,000 – which underscores the desirability of the Shelby GT-H program.

The program was so popular that Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up to create the first Shelby GT-H Mustang convertibles. The 500 cars will be built at Shelby Auto's facility in Las Vegas for delivery to Hertz.

Hertz Fun Collection
The 2008 Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will be available at select airport locations that feature the Hertz Fun Collection including Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shelby Styling

The Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will be fitted with a unique hood with pins and a brushed aluminum grille with running horse emblem. A unique front fascia with integrated lower grille, as well as a set of body side scoops will be incorporated. The GT-H's 18-inch black aluminum wheels will be shod with P235/55ZR18 performance rubber. To give the car additional stiffness, a stylish light bar and supplemental bracing will also be added to the convertible.

Thundering Ponies

Ford Racing Performance Group's Power Pack (FR1) will kick up the 4.6L V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain to 319 horsepower. To put that extra power to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H will feature the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) including special-tuned dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace – plus a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.

'Any Mustang touched by Carroll Shelby has a head start on becoming a legend, and a highly desirable collectible, but they're all designed to be seen, heard and driven hard' said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. 'That's why demand is so high in our showrooms, and on the auction block.'

With total production expected to number only 500 units exclusively for Hertz rental fleets, this special-edition Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience.

'This GT-H project was a tremendous success and demand for the sexy pony car led Shelby Autos and Ford to offer a retail version to the public,' said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. 'Working together with Ford and Hertz, we look forward to creating history with the first Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible. This car will deliver the looks and performance expected of a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang. It will give Hertz customers the opportunity to enjoy a rare muscle car with real top-down driving excitement.'

Source - Ford / Shelby