To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Monterey
event, 15 - 17 August 2019.
Estimate:
$140,000 - $180,000
- One of only 61 Hertz GT350s painted red from the factory
- Matching-numbers engine
- Comprehensive rotisserie restoration by marque specialist
- Previously featured on the cover of Mustang & Ford
magazine
On 21 December 1965, the Hertz Car Rental Company ordered 1,000
Shelby GT350s from Shelby American. An H was added to the GT350 to
designate these as Hertz cars. All 1,000 were initially intended to
be painted black with gold stripes; however, 61 red, 50 blue, 50
green, and 50 white cars were delivered to the Hertz company. These
Hertz cars became known as "rent-a-racers" and would be seen at
local racetracks. It has been said that enthusiasts would rent the
cars long enough to swap out the desirable Shelby engine and
replace it with their Mustang engine before returning the rental
car to Hertz. Whether the cars lost their original engines while
owned by Hertz or during the following 50-plus years, it is a fact
that many of these cars no longer have their original blocks. This
is an opportunity to own an extremely rare red Shelby Hertz car
with its original engine block.
This car is one of the 61 red Shelby Hertz cars produced. The
confidential Ford identification number on the car as well as on
the block match and have been verified with the SAAC as correct for
Shelby chassis number SFM 6S977. Originally supplied to Trudell
Ford in Warren, Michigan, in March 1966 for delivery to the Hertz
Corporation, the GT350 H has since spent the majority of its years
residing with owners in sunny California and Texas. It retains
original Hertz magnum wheels, Cobra tachometer, competition seat
belts, and more. It is also equipped with power steering and
brakes.
The subject of a comprehensive restoration performed by noted
marque specialist Tony Conover, this rare GT350 H was chosen to be
featured in Mustang & Ford magazine. A file of documentation
accompanies the car, including copies of original sale paperwork
and a letter from SAAC Shelby Mustang registrar Howard Pardee.
Carroll Shelby's signature on the glove-box door is the icing on
the cake.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19.