1969 Shelby Mustang GT350 Hertz

Ford bestowed the first significant redesign to the Ford Mustang in 1967, giving Shelby's SCCA B/Production GT350 the ability to mature beyond its competition roots. Performance remained paramount, and it would continue to retain its aggressive styling cues after the next significant restyling for 1969. This would be the final series of the GT350, and it would continue to champion the model's performance-oriented, limited-production legacy in proper Grand Touring fashion.

The 'Cobra' tag was dropped for 1969, and the cars returned to being marketed simply as the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500. The styling was now led by Ford, with Shelby and his designers having little input.

The new-for-1969 Shelby GT350 gained an all-new lightweight hood with fiberglass construction, five NACA-style hood scoops, and locking hood pins and grew four inches in length (to 191 inches). These scoops aided in funneling more air to the 351 cubic-inch 'Windsor' V-8 engine that powered the final GT350s of 1969 and 1970. The powerplant had a maintenance-free hydraulic valvetrain, a 470 cfm Autolite four-barrel carburetor, an aluminum high-rise intake manifold, and striking 'Cobra - Powered by Ford' cast-aluminum valve covers. The engine's breathability was further enhanced by a low-restriction dual exhaust system. The standard transmission was Ford's Toploader four-speed, with the FMX three-speed automatic optionally available. The standard rear-end ratio was a highway-friendly 3.25:1, supplemented by optional 3.00:1 and 3.50:1 Traction-Lok axles. Performance underpinnings included heavy-duty brakes and staggered rear shock absorbers. The Shelby five-spoke wheels were wrapped with Goodyear white-letter tires, and the exhaust outlets rounded the 1969 GT350's aggressive persona.

1969 was the final year of the association with Hertz Rent-A-Car, which began in 1966. A total of 150 (as many as 152) Shelby GT350s, all Fastbacks or 'Sportsroofs' in Ford literature, were produced for the Hertz rental fleet for 1969. 1969 Hertz cars can be identified by their serial numbers and DSO (#842650). Each of the Hertz cars for the year was fitted with the 351 Windsor and FMX Cruise-O-Matic transmission, power steering, power front disc brakes, Traction-Lok, Selectaire Air Conditioning, tinted glass, deluxe seat belts, tilt-away wheel, AM radio, visibility group, combination tachometer and trip meter, plus the sport-deck rear seat.

Most Hertz cars were Black Jade with gold LeMans stripes and rocker panel stripes. Five examples wore white paint schemes with white interiors, twelve in Grabbery Yellow, and among the list of other colors included red and gold.

Carroll Shelby terminated his agreement with Ford in the summer of 1969. Unsold 1969 models were given 1970 vehicle identification numbers under FBI supervision; there was no production of 1970 Shelby GT350 and 500 models. A total of 789 Shelbys were re-VIN'd.

by Dan Vaughan

The first year of sales for the GT350 models were good but they weren't great. In an effort to stimulate even more sales for 1966, Carroll Shelby asked Peyton Cramer, his marketing man and general manager, to try some fleet sales. To everybody's amazement, the Hertz Rental Car Company purchased 1000 cars. The Hertz Company had founded 'The Hertz Sports Car Club' which provided a limited number of high-performance rental cars to customers. The cars could be rented by virtually anyone, as long as they were over the age of 25 and were capable of operating and controlling these machines. Most of the cars were adorned in black paint with gold stripes. The first batch of cars were equipped with manual transmission but the company quickly changed that policy to automatics after many cars were returned in less-than-perfect condition. It was not uncommon to see these cars raced on the tracks during the weekend and returned a few days latter with a little less rubber on the tires and the owners grinning from cheek-to-cheek.

For 1969 the Mustang was given a makeover. The hood was constructed of fiberglass and was fitted with five NACA-style hood scoops and locking hood pins. Under the hood was a Cleveland 351 cubic-inch V8 that was rated at 300 horsepower. In the front was a black recessed grille with two fitted headlights. The wheels were five-spoke aluminum and fitted to Goodyear Polyglas GT radial tires.

In 1969 for only $12 a day, an individual could rent one of these cars from the Hertz rental store as part of their 'Rent-A-Racer' program. Or they could get the car for $60 a week plus 11 cents a mile.

In 1969 a total of 150 examples were produced.

by Dan Vaughan