My former boss posted these this morning:

"My neighbor had a little hard luck last night. At around 10:45 I was in the kitchen and saw his headlights come in, then a few seconds later there was a loud grinding, crunching sound. Looks like he had a few too many cocktails."

This makes the second crash of one of the 500 Corvette ZHZs, the original occurring when a ZHZ smashed into a Dallas restaurant. No matter what the circumstances surrounding this one, you have to expect more of these in the future. Drop anyone in a rented 430 HP rear-wheel-drive sports car and they're bound to do stupid things. (Thanks again Cody)

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Just so we're clear here, this is an Italy-only deal so far, with no immediate plans to expand it to other shores, that said, those in Italy will be getting a pretty sweet loaner option. The cars on-hand will get a yellow paint job and special Hertz-themed interior including contrasted stitching and "Hertz" embroidered seats. Among the options are the Elise, Elise SC and Exige. Meanwhile, America will just have to deal with their crummy old Mustang and Corvette options.

[Source: Hertz]

While daily rental fleet sales have dropped, corporate and government fleet sales remain an important part of domestic automakers' business strategy. Chrysler spokesperson Stuart Schorr had this to say:

"Commercial and government fleet is good business. Daily rental fleet is less desirable but still not bad business if managed properly. Chrysler is committed to reducing sales to daily rental fleets and lowering our overall fleet sales."

We're wondering who may be the inadvertent winner in this American Revolution in sales reduction. Although we haven't yet seen numbers, the one automaker we've started to see more and more of in rental fleets across the country seems to be Kia and Hyundai. We know that even in the American automaker holy land of Detroit — Enterprise, Hertz and Dollar all now carry kimchi-flavored offerings. Anecdotal? Sure. Example of a larger trend? Possibly. [Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

HERTZ DOES IT AGAIN; COMPANY ROLLS OUT CORVETTE ZHZ, AN EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED-EDITION, PERFORMANCE CAR FOR CUSTOMERS SEEKING TO ADD MORE FUN AND EXCITEMENT TO THEIR TRIPS

PARK RIDGE, NJ - June 9, 2008 - Get ready to start your engines! The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) has teamed up with General Motors to launch the Corvette ZHZ, a special limited-edition, high-performance super-car now available for rental exclusively through Hertz. Equipped with a 436-horsepower, V-8 engine, the Corvette ZHZ is the newest showcase car in the Hertz Fun Collection, which features a series of sporty vehicles designed to make the drive a key part of the journey.
Recognizing the special appeal of Corvettes to owners and would-be owners, Hertz is adding 500 Corvette ZHZ models to its airport locations in 24 major metropolitan cities across 14 states and Washington, D.C. through June 16, 2008, so this summer you can take to the road in style, wherever your trip takes you. The first Corvette ZHZs debuts this month at Hertz airport locations in major cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer the limited-edition Corvette ZHZ as part of our Fun Collection fleet," said Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Hertz. "With the launch of this exclusive program, customers can experience the thrill of renting a high-performance car that provides the utmost in driving experiences while adding a splash of fun with its distinctive look."
Finished in Hertz' iconic yellow with an exclusive center exterior black stripe, the Corvette ZHZ features a paddle-shift automatic transmission and 6.2-liter engine with plenty of reserve power for passing. The Corvette ZHZ also features a dual-mode exhaust system, magnetic selective ride control with "tour" and "sport" settings for a customized ride, and specific 18-inch front and 19-inch rear chrome seven-spoke performance wheels. The Corvette ZHZ's performance exhaust system ensures the aggressive sound performance loved by auto enthusiasts.
The Corvette ZHZ also features a distinctive look, with dramatic fender forms and exposed headlamps combined with the grille and center-exit exhaust, round tail lamps, tapered rear deck, a rear spoiler and body color door handles to create a dramatic visual identity. In addition, the car comes equipped with a screen mesh package that provides side covers, exhaust plate screen and a grille mesh; under-hood blanket with the Corvette emblem and lamp kit; specific console armrest with ZHZ embroidery and a Hertz fender emblem and floor mat embroidery designed by GM.
The Corvette ZHZ will be available as part of the Fun Collection fleet at the following Hertz airport locations: Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, CA.; Denver, CO; Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach and Tampa, FL; Savannah, GA; Maui and Oahu, HI; Boston, MA; Newark, NJ ; Charlotte, NC; Portland, OR; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas and Houston, TX; Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC (Dulles Airport).
Hertz Fun Collection
Highlighting its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car rental market, Hertz's Fun Collection features vehicles tailor-made for travelers seeking exciting driving experiences. The Fun Collection, with cars that can be reserved by specific make and model, adds even more entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with SIRIUS (Nasdaq: SIRI) Satellite Radio.
With the addition of the Corvette ZHZ, Hertz offers 9 Fun Collection cars that can be specifically reserved. More than 12,000 Fun Collection vehicles are available at approximately 24 major airport locations in the United States.
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world's largest general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,100 locations in 147 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 69 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Hertz NeverLost customized, onboard navigation systems, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the company's Prestige, Fun and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. Hertz also operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation ( HYPERLINK "http://www.hertzequip.com" www.hertzequip.com), offering a diverse line of equipment, including tools and supplies, as well as new and used equipment for sale, to customers ranging from major industrial companies to local contractors and consumers through more than 360 branches in the United States, Canada, France and Spain.
# # #

Shelby Mustang Auction Information

PARK RIDGE, NJ - 05/01/08 - The Hertz Corporation is proud to announce that it has contracted with Kruse International and Dyno Marketing on an exclusive basis to manage the public auctioning of Hertz's inventory of its Limited Edition 2007 Hertz SHELBY GT-H MUSTANGS. A strictly limited run of 500 2007 GT-H Convertible Mustangs were produced by Carroll Shelby exclusively for Hertz. Hertz will launch this program by offering 75-100 Limited Edition 2007 Hertz SHELBY GT-H MUSTANGS at Kruse's 17th Annual Auburn Spring Motorfair to be held on May 29 - June 1, 2008 at the 480 acre Kruse Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana.

According to David Stolt, Hertz's Senior Director of Car Sales Operations, "Hertz offered 40 Mustang GT-Hs for sale at the 2008 Kruse / Dyno Marketing Race Car & Sports Car Auction this past January in Concord, NC. The demand was overwhelming and all of the cars were sold. Kruse International and Dyno Marketing did a fantastic job and Hertz has decided to expand the program and launch a major Shelby Mustang GT-H Convertible sale at the famous Kruse Auburn Spring Motorfair this May." Stolt also said that "Hertz commissioned only 500 of the Shelby Mustang GT-H Convertibles and they are an extremely popular but hard to find vehicle in the Hertz Fun Collection. Therefore, we handle countless inquiries from renters and collectors who want to own that car. Shelby Mustang GT-H Convertibles are rarely available for purchase by the public and Hertz believes that its relationship with Kruse International and Dyno Marketing will provide Shelby GT-H enthusiasts with a fair chance to buy one." It was also noted that the buyers of the Shelby GT-Hs will be provided with all ownership documentation and membership in the official Shelby Registry.

"Kruse International is the largest collector car auction company in the world and we are very pleased that Hertz has chosen to work with us and Dyno Marketing again to offer these wonderful, truly limited edition collector cars for sale to the public" said Dean Kruse, President of Kruse International. "We believe that as many of the Shelby Mustang GT-H Convertibles as possible should be gathered for sale at the same time so that potential buyers and fans will have a great experience. Bidders will also be able to bid live online during the auction. If you have ever wanted to own one of these rare "instant classics" you MUST attend!" The 17th Annual Auburn Spring Motorfair is one of the premier annual auction events, featuring 1,000 outstanding collector cars in the Auction, swap meet, and car corral. This event is held at the 480 acre Kruse Auction Park on May 29 - June 1, 2008 and is fun for the whole family. For additional information concerning the auctioning of the 2007 Hertz Shelby GT-H Convertibles, including how to register to bid, please contact Malinda Blue-Barfield at (800) 968-4444 x 242.

[Source: Kruse]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — As frustrations mount for travelers in a year fraught with a record number of flight delays, customer satisfaction with rental cars has declined considerably, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Rental Car Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)

Now in its 12th year, the study measures overall customer satisfaction with renting cars at airports by examining six factors (listed in order of importance): costs and fees, pick-up process, rental car, return process, reservation process and shuttle bus/van. Overall satisfaction drops from 767 points on a 1,000-point scale in 2006 to 750 in 2007.

"The decline in customer satisfaction with rental cars is indicative of a general decline in performance throughout the travel industry in 2007 — from airports to airlines to hotels," said Jim Gaz, senior director of travel and entertainment at J.D. Power and Associates. "Rental car customers, in particular, are being faced with rising fuel prices and decreased availability of new rental vehicles, as major automotive manufacturers have reduced their rental fleet sales. While the rental car industry faces its own specific challenges, customer satisfaction may also be influenced by the snowball effect from frustrations consumers are facing with the entire travel experience."

Enterprise ranks highest in customer satisfaction among rental car companies for a fourth consecutive year, receiving an overall index score of 777. Enterprise performs particularly well in five of the six factors: costs and fees, pick-up process, rental car, return process and shuttle bus/van. Enterprise is followed in the rankings by Hertz and National, respectively. National performs particularly well in the reservation process factor, specifically with telephone reservations.

"In particular, Enterprise has widened the gap from its competition through strong performance in cost and fees and in the functionality of their Web site, as well as in the courtesy of their personnel," said Gaz. "These strengths could potentially benefit the two rental car companies recently acquired by Enterprise — Alamo and National — as Enterprise aligns these operations."

The study finds that the average reported time that rental car customers wait while picking up or returning their rental car typically exceeds the reported wait times incurred during other parts of the travel experience that are measured by the firm. Rental car customers say they wait an average of 22 minutes to pick up their vehicle, and 14 minutes to return the vehicle, while air travelers report waiting an average of 13 minutes to obtain a boarding pass and check baggage, 15 minutes to go through airport security, and 18 minutes to retrieve checked luggage. Hotel customers report waiting 10 minutes, on average, to check in.

"While travelers understand that some waiting is unavoidable, customers still expect wait times to be kept to a minimum, especially for simpler tasks, such as checking into a hotel or for a flight," said Gaz. "Rental car companies can improve upon managing customer perceptions by finding ways to expedite the pickup and return processes. When customers believe that they have to wait longer to return a rental car than to go through a security checkpoint at an airport-the latter being a presumably more complex process-their satisfaction diminishes, and understandably so."

Consolidated rental car facilities at airports is likely affecting the competitive landscape of the industry, eroding the service advantages that some rental car companies have spent millions of dollars and years to implement. While the study finds that price continues to be the key driver of rental car satisfaction, rental car companies are seeking to differentiate their brands by implementing innovative online booking tools, electronic toll collection services, and hourly rental rates.

"The introduction of new technology in the rental car service process, as well as in rental vehicles themselves, may help improve customer satisfaction as these technologies become more familiar to customers and more prevalent in the industry," said Gaz. "Online booking tools that are specifically optimized for handheld devices, GPS navigation systems and electronic toll collection services in rental vehicles are examples of efforts to provide customers with a more convenient, automated and hassle-free experience."

The 2007 Rental Car Satisfaction Study is based on 5,859 evaluations from business and leisure travelers who rented a vehicle at an airport location between September 2006 and September 2007. To view ratings of rental car companies, visit JDPower.com.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2006 were $6.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Overall Satisfaction Index
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)

Enterprise 777
Hertz 762
National 754
Avis 751
Industry Average 750
Thrifty 746
Budget 735
Alamo 733
Dollar 731

[CNN Money]

Stolen GT-H [stangnet.com]

Related:
GT-H 'er Done! First Burnout Vid Of New Hertz Shelby [Internal]

Hertz brings serious competition due to their much larger advertising budget (i.e, not paying jackasses to yell out of car windows) and superior name recognition. Also, Hertz offers much larger vehicles than most Zipcars we've seen around, which is good for... ahem... entertainment services. "Hey lady, get in the back of my Town Car" sounds a lot better than "Hey lady, please squeeze into the back of my Mini Cooper."– Matt Hardigree

Hertz Debuts Hourly Car Rentals [CNN Money]

Related:
Hertz Goes Green? How? [Internal]

FoMoCo invited us down to Duke's Restaurant in Malibu to drive the Shelby GT500 Convertible, the Shelby GT and most righteously right-on of all, the Hertz Shelby GT-H along the beautiful Bo Stefan Eriksson/Mel Gibson/AC Schnitzer Memorial Highway. After a few minutes spent gawking at all four cars (they had both kinds of Shelby GT — the black and the white) parked against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, it occurred to us just how ludicrous it is that Ford is sitting on the pole in the race to be the first American manufacturer to go belly-up in a generation.

These Shelbys, especially the Hertz, raise men's heart rates. Women look at you when you drive them. Pretty, rich, Malibu-Barbie-type women. A trio of motorcycle cops even stopped by to ogle (which was good because I did something really dumb right in a front of a five-O an hour later and he didn't budge). If only Ford would attack the rest of their product line with the same vim and vigor... well, you know where and how this sentence ends.

First up was the 500hp, 480 pound-foot GT500 drop-top, sporting a detuned version of the recently deceased Ford GT's 5.4L Roots-blown mill. A stonker that happens to fill up every inch of space in the engine bay. Seriously, cramped to the point of having to go metric. GT Marketing Manager John Alguire explained that the fit is so tight that when they load the engine in from the bottom, they have only two millimeters of clearance on either side. Sadly, with the hood up, the motor resembles a chemistry set made out of piss-bottles. Best to keep the lid down and concentrate instead on all the angry looking snakes festooned on the vehicle. I counted seven, including two stitched into the seats!

Grabbing the six-speed Tremec handle is your first clue that this is not your mother's Mustang ragtop. Unfortunately, it is the last clue for quite some time. Call it a Q-car if you like, but in normal, everyday driving (which the ridiculously congested PCH provided plenty of) no indication is given that you are at the helm of the most powerful factory 'Stang ever built. The cowl shakes as per normal, the soundtrack isn't all that interesting, and the view out over the hood is nothing to write home about. Heeling and toeing into a red light provided the first inkling that something special lurks below, for as you crest 4,000rpm, an SVT badge in the center of the tach lights up orange. Cool! And when you press the button to turn off the traction control, it too lights up orange. That's when you should tell the passenger to hold on. As 57% of this porker's weight (3,920lbs. in all) is over the front axle, the rear end slides like Enzos hunt power poles. And once you get into third gear, the acceleration is frightening. We loved it. Summary: when pushed hard the Shelby GT500 Convertible is as cruel a car as they come. But why do you have to push it so hard?

Next was the Mustang GT Ford should have been building since day one, the Shelby GT. For reals y'all, this is the current height of 'Stang chic. Silver Le Mans racing stripe? Standard. Same hood scoop as the original Shelby Mustangs? Check. Bulging power dome bonnet? You know it. Badass brushed aluminum grill? Damn skippy. But beneath all the hotness lies the best bits and baubles from all three of Ford Racing's packs. A modded chip, 90mm cold-air intake, groovy mufflers, Hurst short-throw shifter, dampers, lowered springs, sway bars and the coolest-looking tower brace of all time — plus honest-to-Dyno Don Nicholson hood pins — all get installed and massaged by the factory. The resulting car not only looks and handles better than any Mustang to ever leave Dearborn, but it sounds better, too. Aside from the crap stock GT brakes held over from the garden-variety car, there's only one thing wrong with the Shelby GT — you can't get it with a gold stripe.

Enter the Shelby GT-H. I've driven all manner of high-gloss metal up and down the coast of California and never have I felt as fly or as desired. Everybody looked at this car. Wisely, Ford capped production of the Hertz Rent-a-Racer at 600 units, guaranteeing mondo exclusivity. Think of it this way, FoMoCo had to go to Hertz and rent this puppy for the event because they don't have any! The only differences between the GT-H and the Shelby GT is that the former only comes with an auto box, you can't turn off the traction control, some badging and the hood scoop, which is more in line from the original Ford/Shelby/Hertz GT350H. Never mind all that, as you still get 325hp, 330lbs. footsies of torque and the nipple clamps poking out of the hood. $99 a day and a buck-a-mile? Well worth it.

Almost as fun was the impromptu car show that took place in the parking lot. All those Shelbys must have stirred something up in the quiet beach-front community (or just brought a lot of car freaks together). Coolest of the day was the '49 Ford V La Carrera Panamericana "Mexico" racer, although I did get a few miles in a 1983 Porsche 911SC.
[by Jonny Lieberman]

Carroll Shelby Helps Choose Mercury Mariner Hybrid as 'Green Car of the Year' [Internal]

Somehow, when we think of environmentally-friendly vehicles, the non-Hybrid Camry, the Ford Fusion and the Buick LaCrosse aren't the ones heating up our cerebrum. But apparently, the three midsize sedans are the cornerstone of Hertz' new Green Collection. Not that they're wholly inneficient cars, but it seems like a sop to people who want to pay extra to feel self-important. We're waiting until they start renting Teslas, frankly.

Hertz launches environmentally friendly fleet of rental cars [WasteNews]

Related:
Biotech Goes Godzilla, Er, Honda: New Fabric Carbon Neutral [Internal]

For the first ever time caught on camera, the kids over at Streetfire have captured burnout footage of the new just-for-Hertz Shelby GT-H. Mmm...we love the smell of home-grown hoonage in the afternoon. Smells like...burning 18" Goodyears. [Hat tip to Autoblog]

Related:
Jalopnik Rental-Car Reacharound, Short Form: The Shelby Mustang GT-H [internal]

Our buddy Jon writes in regarding his experience renting a Shelby GT-H from Hertz. Sounds like there's some kind of approval process that may keep the hoi polloi — at least those who pose a flight risk — from hopping aboard the train to Shelbyville. Check it.

Just got back from a business trip to Boston. My business partner Geoff and I were able to rent the Shelby GT-H at the Logan Airport Hertz.

WOW! So much fun. They really put you through your paces to rent it. We had to show our boarding passes. A manager had to check us in.

A few notes:

- We had Shelby number 55
- The engine has a wire on it so that you can't swap it out.
- They do a thorough engine check when you return it to make sure you haven't done anything to it
- I have never gotten so much attention in a rental car before. Constantly people driving up next to you requesting you to "light it up".
- A valet parking guy at a restaurant ran into the street and stopped us to check it out.
- It sounds awesome. The bottom note on it is fierce
- We got it up to about 115 MPH on the Mass Pike

Total cost for 24 hours - $196

Would do it again.

Related:
Hurt Me, Hertz: The 2006 Shelby Hertz Mustang [internal]

Automotive News reports Ford will sell a version of the Shelby GT-H Mustang Rent-a-Racer at dealerships, confirming a longstanding rumor that's been exchanged among sauced journos since the rental was unveiled at the New York auto show last April. According to the paper, FoMoCo prez Mark Fields will outline the plan at this week's automotive management seminars in Traverse City, where GM's Rick Wagoner will announce the coming Camaro. The 325-hp horse will be a 2007 model, dubbed Shelby GT, available in white or black with silver stripes — unlike the gold-on-black livery of the Hertz cars — and will be finished at Carroll Shelby's Las Vegas shop, with volume in the few-thousand range, according to a source from Ford. The new model will be the subject of the next installment of Ford's "Bold Moves" documentary — playing itself, natch. Ford execs also told dealers the company was building production versions of its Fairlane and Lincoln MKS concepts in 2008.

Related:
More on the Shelby Mustang GT-H [internal]

The kids who report the news from the lane over thar to port have more details on Hertz's reconstituted Rent-A-Racer program (and a bunch of pics snapped by photog Devin Comiskey outside Shelby's Vegas facility) . 300 bucks a day. Plus $50 a day in insurance. Hundred-mile limit. They will supposedly check for removed rollcages when the cars are returned. Let us reiterate. 350 smacks a day That's three dollars and fitty cent per mile. For a freaking Mustang. This is the dumbest thing ever. Anyone who rents one is a hoser.

More photos, details on Shelby GT350-H Hertz Mustang [Leftlane News]

Related:
Hurt Me, Hertz: The 2006 Shelby Hertz Mustang [Internal]

It's been 40 years since you could walk into a Hertz outlet and drive off in a Shelby Mustang, leaving a stretch of rubber across the lot. We always imagined some jet pilot and his gin-soaked, bouffant-wearing squeeze hopping into one of those GT350H fastbacks and roaring off to some shag-clad den with Esquivel on the hi-fi and ice melting in untouched highball glasses. Of course, a few decades later, we find it's actually a guy in his eighties, alone but for his cowboy hat. We weren't too far off.

Related:
Hurt Me, Hertz: The 2006 Shelby Hertz Mustang [internal]

MUSTANG MUSCLE FOR RENT: FORD, SHELBY, HERTZ TEAM UP ON SHELBY GT-H

-Shelby GT-H commemorates 40-year anniversary of famed Shelby/Hertz GT350H "Rent-A-Racer"
-Shelby, Ford Racing give Mustang GT V-8/automatics extra "show," added "go" to make Shelby GT-H
-A special run of about 500 units will be available for rent exclusively through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations
-GT-H packs Ford Racing performance, handling in hot Shelby looks, classic Black & Gold Hertz livery

NEW YORK, Wed., April 12, 2006 - In a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350H "Rent-A-Racer" program from the 1960s, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The Hertz Corporation are partnering to produce a special run of performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs - designated Shelby GT-H, for "Hertz" - that will be available for rent later this spring exclusively through Hertz. Approximately 500 units will be available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Forty years ago, Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation came up with an ingenious plan to help get a batch of high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustangs into the hands of rental customers who also happened to be car enthusiasts. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V-8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions, Shelby added extra performance and style, and Hertz gave the public access to the kind of unique driving experience that one would normally only find on a racetrack. Today, the story of the Shelby/Hertz "Rent-A-Racer" is legendary and surviving Shelby GT350H Mustangs are among the most sought-after collector cars in the world.

To connect the magical past of the original Shelby GT350H with the modern capabilities of the new Ford Mustang, Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up, and - together with the Ford Racing Performance Group - have given the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H a very classic, muscular look as well as some true performance credentials.

"Like the original Hertz cars, the Ford Shelby GT-H will be fun to drive," said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "We started with a terrific Mustang and modified it with some Ford go-fast parts and gave it a distinct look for Shelby-style driving. Whoever gets the opportunity to rent one of these unique cars will get an experience of a lifetime."

Hertz Fun Collection

Further enhancing its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car rental market, Hertz launched its Fun Collection in January 2006. Featuring vehicles tailor-made for travelers seeking exciting driving experiences, the Fun Collection adds more entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

The 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang 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; Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the car will be available in Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

With the addition of the Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang into the Fun Collection, Hertz now offers 36 models that can be specifically reserved, ranging from mid-size to luxury cars, convertibles to SUVs and is the only nationwide car rental company able to allow customers to reserve the specific make and model vehicles at the time of reservation. More than 8,000 Fun Collection vehicles are available at 18 major airport locations in the United States.

"With 2006 marking the 40th anniversary of the Shelby GT350H joining the Hertz fleet, we're thrilled to be bringing legendary Mustang driving excitement back to our rental customers," said Walt Seaman, staff vice president, Worldwide Fleet, Maintenance, and Car Sales Operations for The Hertz Corporation. "The Shelby GT-H is a fun, powerful Mustang to drive, and will be a special part of the Hertz Fun Collection. As all cars in the collection are reserved by exact make and model, customers can rest assured that when they reserve a Shelby GT-H Mustang to drive, they will receive the Shelby GT-H Mustang upon arrival."

Extra "Show"

Like its predecessor, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be instantly recognizable - thanks to several eye-catching styling enhancements that are so much a part of the Shelby Mustang heritage. First and foremost, each Shelby GT-H will wear Black exterior paint set off with Gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz's vehicle history dating all the way back to the 1920s.

While it's true that the Shelby GT350H was eventually made available in other color combinations, the Black-and-Gold combo is often referred to as "Hertz colors" by most Mustang aficionados. Shelby's traditional "Le Mans" dual overbody racing stripes are combined with a set of rocker stripes that include special "Shelby GT-H" nomenclature. Each car will also wear a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby's signature inside the cockpit.

To give a hint of the Mustang GT 4.6-liter 3V V-8 engine's added capability, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with a custom Shelby Performance 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 - reminiscent of classic Shelby Mustangs is incorporated for a distinct look. To further catch the enthusiast's eye, the Mustang GT brakes are dressed up with painted calipers, which can be seen through the GT-H's 17-inch aluminum wheels wearing P235/55ZR17 performance rubber.

Added "Go"

Ford Racing Performance Group is supplying its popular Power Pack (FR1) to add a genuine 25-horsepower Ford performance kick to the 300-horse Mustang GT 4.6L V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain and an increase of 10 lb.-ft. of torque. The package includes Ford Racing's 90mm Cold Air kit, the Muffler Kit, a new X-pipe similar to the one used on the new Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, a performance calibration and a cat-back performance exhaust for that throaty sound that will make this car unmistakably a Shelby Mustang GT-H.

"Any Mustang that traces its roots to a Shelby GT350H has to boast increased performance and handling over its factory stock configuration," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford Racing's involvement with niche performance Mustang builds like this Hertz project is a natural for us as well as for Hertz and Shelby."

To put that extra horsepower to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H also comes with the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) installed, including special-tuned dampers inspired from the FR500C, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace - plus a Ford Racing 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.

Ford Racing will be working hand-in-hand with engineers and technicians at Shelby Automobile's assembly facility in Las Vegas during the build-out of the GT-H for delivery to Hertz. With total production expected to number only around 500 units exclusively destined for Hertz rental fleets across the country, this special-edition Ford Shelby GT-H is sure to give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience like only Shelby and the Ford Mustang can deliver.

"This GT-H project has been terrific," said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. "My team here at Shelby Automobiles is very excited with what we have put together with Ford, and Hertz - a pony that not only has a special look, but can really run, too. Those who get to rent a GT-H in the coming months will have the opportunity to enjoy a car that looks, accelerates, handles and sounds the way a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang should. It will prove lots of fun for Hertz customers looking for some real driving excitement."

For more information about Shelby Automobiles, and to a sneak-peak of the build of the first Shelby GT-H, visit www.shelbyautos.com.

The Hertz Fun Collection features convertibles including the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, PT Cruiser and Chrysler Sebring; coupes/roadsters including Ford Mustang (hard-top), PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR and Nissan 350Z; and SUVs such as the Ford Escape XLT Sport, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Murano and Hummer H3. For Shelby GT-H or other Hertz Fun Collection reservations, or to see which vehicles are available at participating Hertz locations visit www.hertz.com. The Hertz Fun Collection may also be reserved through travel agents or by calling the Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131.

A quick-thinking reader with a digicam at the ready caught some shots of what looks to be the Hertz Mustang — that's reportedly coming to the New York show next week — during a photo shoot at a Hertz lot in Las Vegas last week. According to AutoWeek, a show car, painted in the same black-and-gold livery of the Shelby GT350H rent-a-racers from 1966, will appear in NYC, though it's unclear whether Hertz will offer the model at its outlets. Seems that may be the case. More pics after the jump.

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New Shelby Hertz Mustang on the Way to New York? [internal]