The images below were taken on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at the Shelby Headquarters in Las Vegas, NV, on the outside of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Complex. The Shelby Company was preparing what is believed to be the very first shipment of the new, rare Shelby GT350-H (I could be wrong, but I haven't seen any "real" pics of this car other than the one making the rounds to shows and magazine shoots.) This Mustang is destined for Hertz Rent-A-Car dealers across the country. Only 500 (or was it 600?) are being made. They feature a one-off custom paint scheme, new grille, new hood, new brakes and a chrome plate on both sides of the car desgnating it as a Hertz car.
During the tour we took later in the morning of the Shelby facility (it's free and, if you're in Vegas, a must-see), we were told these cars (all, sadly, automatic) will be available for rent for $300/day plus insurance (mandatory, roughly $50/day). You are only allowed 100 miles per day - you will be charged $.25/mile over. Each car is outfitted with a hidden GPS locator system so Hertz will know where every car is at all times. Other security measures have been installed (the tour guide told us when the original GT350-H first came out in the 70's, people would take them home and take out the engine and swap a stock one in its place. Of course, many were routinely drag raced as well).
These cars will see between 16,000-18,000 "rental" miles before they are sent back to Ford for distribution to selected dealers to sell to the general public. Sadly, since we all know how much rare Shelbys from the 80's are worth, these new models will no doubt fetch a hefty premium right away. This is a free market system and dealers will take only customers who will bend over the furthest, unfortunately. (Ford will surely tell dealers to not mark up the car, but we all know these guys don't care or listen.) That means unless you have some very good connections, don't get your hopes up of ever owning one of these Shelby GT350-Hs in your lifetime unless you are loaded.
Anyway, these pictures were taken for the enjoyment of Mustang and car lovers everywhere. They are NOT to be linked to any other Web site! If you'd like a higher resolution for your own personal use, and I will be happy to send you the file.
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