THE REBIRTH OF A LEGEND: The Shelby GT-H can trace its history back to the original GT350H of the 1960s

September 1, 2015
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

This 2006 Shelby GT-H, CSM #002 (Lot #736), will be crossing the Barrett-Jackson auction block at the 8th Annual Las Vegas Auction, Sept. 24-26.

In 2005, Walt Seaman, vice president of Hertz Worldwide Fleet Operations, was looking for a special vehicle to be the focal point of the company’s new premium rental car program, known as the “Fun Collection.” The solution was right in front of his eyes, displayed in the lobby of Hertz Headquarters: a 1966 Shelby GT350 H, one of the cars produced as part of the renowned Shelby/Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” collaboration in the 1960s. Suitably inspired, Seaman approached Ford Motor Company about producing 500 Mustang GT Coupes to mark the 40th Anniversary of that original program. His timing couldn’t have been more perfect: Ford was already working with Shelby to develop some type of special car. In less than 90 days, the Shelby GT-H (with the “H” standing for Hertz) program was born.

The car began life as a black 2006 Mustang GT Coupe and was then shipped to Shelby in Las Vegas, where it received significant changes, such as a new front fascia, hood, side air scoops and a Ford Racing Performance Package. The parts used to modify the car were all numbered Ford pieces – with the exception of the Shelby hood – so replacement parts would be readily available.

The GT-H was introduced to the world at the New York Auto Show in April 2006. Like its predecessor, it was instantly recognizable, thanks to several eye-catching styling enhancements that were part of the Shelby Mustang heritage. First and foremost was the black exterior paint set off with gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz’s vehicle history dating all the way back to the 1920s. Each car also wore a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and featured Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature inside the cockpit.

Shelby produced 496 automatic units for the Hertz rental fleet, of which 20 were purchased by Hertz executives and never rented. The other four units – of which this is one – were never rented and featured 5-speed manual transmissions with a factory 18-inch wheel package (the automatics had 17-inch wheels).

To give a hint of the Mustang GT 4.6-liter V8 engine’s added capability, the GT-H was 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 – was incorporated for a distinct look.

This car, CSM #06H002, has only 933 actual miles on the clock and is owned by the man who initiated the GT-H project, Walt Seaman. This GT-H is exceedingly rare due to its ownership history and its comprehensive documentation (including Window Sticker and MSO). Perhaps the rarest of them all, CSM #06H001, was owned by Carroll Shelby himself and rolled across the block at Barrett-Jackson’s 2015 Scottsdale Auction as part of the Ron Pratte Collection.

With its connection to the magical past of the original GT350H, this Shelby GT-H, CSM #06H002, is certain to attract a lot of attention at the 8th Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction in September. For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click [HERE](http://).