Well, it looks like the market's been set for the Shelby GT-H.
FoMoCo , Shelby and Hertz donated one of the 500 Hertz Mustangs to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to be auctioned at their Gathering of Eagles fundraiser earlier this week. Given the rarity of the car and the bloodlines that stretch back to Shelby's 60s-era Rent-A-Racers, it was expected to pull in big dollars -- and it did: $250,000 to be exact.
The remaining 499 cars will see duty at selected Hertz outlets as part of the the company's Fun Collection, after which they'll trickle into the hands of Ford dealers and likely cross the block at some high-profile auctions. Who wants to bet that the first GT-H to show up at the cash tornado otherwise known as Barrett-Jackson eclipses that $250,000 figure?
Beckles
Aug 1, 06, 9:05 am
Who wants to bet that the first GT-H to show up at the cash tornado otherwise known as Barrett-Jackson eclipses that $250,000 figure?I'll easily take the under on that if anyone would like to bet. This car was the first one to be owned privately, is not a used rental car with 20,000+ miles as the other 499 will be, and the value of the car over the sticker price is tax deductible in this case.
aceman
Aug 9, 06, 5:41 am
wow, when i rented mine and the guy told me that they were going to auction them off for about 100k after 6 months i laughed. Looks like the last laugh was on me!
hawkxp
Aug 9, 06, 4:42 pm
Ford announced today they will start selling them retail first of the year. Hertz probably won't auction them now. I'd never buy a rental car; I may have driven it.
aceman
Aug 10, 06, 4:57 pm
Reminds me of that old joke, the fastest car in the world is a rental car....
But then again, its a little harder to give them proper abuse in the US since they are pretty much all auto :mad:
Peter M
Aug 13, 06, 1:53 pm
I had the Shelby for a weekend, but the ride was too harsh and the pre- and post-inspections too troublesome to rent this car on a regular basis.
Motor Trend rented the car and provide a review here and in their latest issue;
I'm seeing lots of replica Mustangs with the twin-stripes going around and the dealers are offering special editions of the car with the stripes. Since a GT can be had for $30,000 with a similar look, the extra $220,000 seems like a waste of cash for a measly 30 horse power!
studley
Aug 13, 06, 5:22 pm
The 2007 Shelby Cobra GT500 is much more car for a lot less money, IMHO (even if there's a huge dealer markup for it in the first year).
jes999
Sep 28, 06, 6:05 pm
I had the Shelby for a weekend, but the ride was too harsh and the pre- and post-inspections too troublesome to rent this car on a regular basis.
Motor Trend rented the car and provide a review here and in their latest issue;
I'm seeing lots of replica Mustangs with the twin-stripes going around and the dealers are offering special editions of the car with the stripes. Since a GT can be had for $30,000 with a similar look, the extra $220,000 seems like a waste of cash for a measly 30 horse power!
2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT announced
If you you've been scheming to buy a Mustang Shelby GT-H Hertz racer since its introduction in April, this is your ticket.BY MIKE DUSHANE, August 2006
Ford officials have confirmed the availability of the 2007 Mustang Shelby GT. Ford got so much attention for its limited-production Mustang Shelby GT-H, which is available only through Hertz rental outlets, that it couldn’t resist further milking the concept with a production version. Like the Hertz car, this civilian model will be offered in black, uses a 325-hp V8, and will be modified by Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas. The power boost comes from a cold-air intake and a freer-flowing exhaust setup. Unlike the Hertz racer, the Shelby GT also will be offered in white, and it will have silver stripes instead of gold. More important, it will be offered with manual and automatic transmissions, whereas all Hertz cars are automatics. We don’t have confirmation yet of whether the GT-H’s shorter rear end, sway bars, and lowered and stiffened suspension will be offered on the Shelby GT.
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From the Ford/Shelby website:
If you're one of the many Ford enthusiasts who think your dream of owning a 2007 Shelby is beyond your reach or that the 500-horsepower supercharged Shelby GT500 is simply beyond your needs – take heart! Ford Motor Company is expanding its high-performance Mustang stable even further with a new 4.6-liter V-8-powered, 325-horsepower Shelby GT coupe for 2007.
“Our goal is to offer a steed for every need,” explains John Felice, Ford brand general marketing manager. “The new Shelby GT advances that goal, offering a low-volume, extremely collectable Mustang for enthusiasts. It also offers a few more customers the opportunity to experience firsthand the rich performance legacy of Mustang and Carroll Shelby.”
The Shelby GT is the third modern Shelby Mustang produced through a collaboration of Ford and Shelby Automobiles. In addition to the 2007 Shelby GT500, Ford and Shelby created 500 copies of the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H, which are available only through select Hertz rental centers. Now, a limited run of Shelby GT coupes will be offered for sale to the general public for the 2007 model year. Shelby GT models will begin life as stock Mustang GTs assembled at the AutoAlliance International assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The cars will then be shipped to the Shelby Automobiles facility in Las Vegas for modification before delivery to Ford dealerships.
The Shelby GT driving dynamics are fine-tuned with the Ford Racing Handling Pack, which was developed by the same engineers that created the Ford Racing FR500C – winner of the 2005 Grand Am Cup championship. New coil springs drop the overall ride height by an inch-and-a-half for a more aggressive stance and reduced body roll. Stiffer dampers and front stabilizer bar further enhance cornering feel and body control. A front strut-tower brace adds additional strength to the chassis structure, and 235/55ZR18 high-performance tires maximize the benefits of the chassis upgrades.
Underhood, the Ford Racing Power Pack increases the output of the naturally aspirated, three-valve, Mustang GT 4.6-liter V-8 to 325 horsepower, with 330 foot-pounds of torque. The Power Pack includes a 90-millimeter cold-air intake and a new performance engine calibration for improved throttle response. The high-flow exhaust system with X-pipe crossover offers better power delivery and a throatier V-8 exhaust note. A shorter rear-axle ratio is installed to capitalize on the Shelby GT’s extra power, especially off-the-line acceleration. For Shelby GTs equipped with a manual transmission, a Hurst short-throw shifter is installed for more precise shift action.
“The Shelby GT is great fun on the track,” says racing legend Carroll Shelby. “It’s got the heart and soul of the Mustang GT pumped up with a great noise, strong motor, and nimble chassis. It’s one of those rare cars that’s really easy to drive really fast.”
The 2007 Shelby GT will be offered only as a coupe, and only in two exterior colors, Performance White or Black. Both colors are accented by silver LeMans-style racing stripes that extend over the hood, roof and trunk, and are complemented by matching side stripes with “Shelby GT” nomenclature. The Shelby GT features a unique front fascia with a more aggressive lower air dam, a brushed-aluminum grille, larger dual exhausts, 18-inch chrome wheels, Shelby trunk lid badging and special side scoops; a unique scooped hood is also available.
Inside, the Shelby GT includes logo floor mats and custom sill plates with Shelby GT nomenclature, as well as an authentication plate on the center console with a matching tag underhood. This tag features the CSX number, which is recorded in the official Shelby Automobiles registry.
“It’s an exciting time to be a muscle car fan, as legendary names from the 1960’s are being reincarnated in the marketplace,” adds Felice. “As the Shelby GT shows, Ford intends to dominate the new muscle car wars just as the Mustang did forty years ago. No other nameplate will be able to match the breadth of options that the Mustang offers.”
As part of Ford’s “steed for every need” strategy, the company now offers four horsepower options for Mustang, with pricing from $19,995 to $46,500, including: the 240-horsepower Mustang V-6; 300-horsepower V-8 Mustang GT; the new 325-horsepower V-8 Shelby GT; and the 500-horsepower supercharged V-8 Shelby GT500. Also supporting the broad-based product lineup strategy are several special packages, including the Mustang V-6 Pony Package, the Mustang GT California Special, and several regional packages – with even more planned for the future. In addition, Ford Racing offers a complete catalog of performance parts for Mustang fans, from custom wheels and exhausts to the complete, turn-key Ford Racing Mustang FR500C race car.
True to Mustang's unequaled heritage as America's longest-running, best-selling sporty car, Ford continues to offer the legions of Mustang enthusiasts the ability to buy, modify and drive the steed that perfectly fits their need.