2006 Shelby GT-H

The concept behind the creation of the 1966 Shelby GT350H is one of the most unusual and intriguing stories, not only in Shelby American history, but in muscle car history as a whole. Carroll Shelby and the Hertz rent-a-car corporation agree that 1000 Shelby supercars will be built and distributed to prominent Hertz airport locations in major cities across the USA. Out of the 1000 cars built, 825 were featured in the stunning and timeless colour combination of black on black with double gold centre stripes -- signifying the Shelby pedigree in Hertz logo colours. The “Hertz” cars have since become cult legends, and today are amongst the most sought after Shelbys ever made. So prominent and powerful was the 1966 Shelby Hertz experience, that, 40 years later, in 2006, Carroll Shelby and Hertz again joined forces, and Shelby built a limited edition of another 500 black and gold 2006 Shelby GT-H Hertz fastback rental cars which were, once again, distributed to a number of prominent Hertz airport locations in the USA, rented out for a period of months, and then eventually sold off to the general public.
Of the 500 cars made, the Hertz corporation reserved 30 “Special Program” cars that were made available via lottery system to qualified Hertz licensees who would be allowed to purchase the cars outright.
These cars were intended to be retained as special collector’s items, and could not be resold for a designated period of time.
Most of the 30 cars were eventually sold to the general public and were driven and used to the extent that their status was relegated to that of the rental cars, while a few select cars have been saved and retained as valuable collector’s items.
Take advantage of this very rare opportunity to purchase one of these very special cars.
Back in 2007, I started my search for the perfect 2006 Hertz car, having read all about them and having first seen them in service at the Los Angeles Airport in August 2006. I wanted one of these cars not only because of the beauty, style and history of the car, but also because I already owned a real 1966 Hertz car - #1998, and wanted a “matching” pair!
Having had to pay a $2,500.00 finder’s fee, in January 2008, I secured what had to be the “best of the best” Hertz car, #443, one of the 30 Special Program cars, which was originally purchased by Dick Sinda, the owner of the Hertz franchise out of Athens, Georgia, being one of the 30 fortunate Hertz dealers who “won” the opportunity to purchase a Special Program car.
Dick personally flew to the Shelby Plant in Las Vegas on July 27, 2006 to check out his new ride and documented his purchase with incredible pictures, including pictures with his car on that day at the Shelby plant and, thereafter, staff and family shots with the car taken on December 4, 2006 sporting a big red bow, which he used for his Hertz franchise Christmas card for Christmas 2006.
Dick had the wisdom to retain not only each and every document relating to the car, but each and every single tag and sticker that came with the car, making it an incredibly documented example.
I took delivery of the car on March 25, 2008 in Toronto, Canada with the odometer showing a mere 655.2 miles.
I have since carried on where Dick left off. The car has been stored in my climate controlled garage which houses my collection, and remains as new and “still in the wrapper”, and I have even managed to retain the new car smell! I have also made sure that the battery remains charged, that the engine is frequently started and the car is moved and gently exercised. The odometer now shows 698 miles, so it has been driven only 43 miles in the past 7 ½ years.
I also secured every single item that Shelby Automobiles had made available for the car, such as a key fob showing the “443” VIN, and had Carroll Shelby sign and designate the VIN # “443” on the passenger side visor.
If you are looking for a virtually perfect, concourse, museum quality, fully documented time capsule 2006 GT-H Hertz Car, being one of 500 built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary 1966 Shelby GT350 Hertz car, and one of the 30 Special Program Hertz cars, then this is it – plain and simple.
In January 2015, Barrett Jackson sold 2006 Hertz GT-H car # 001 for $209,000 US through its Scottsdale, Arizona Auction.
Although #443 was not the first car built, and was not owned by Carroll Shelby, it is likely the best 2006 Hertz car in existence, and at $75,000, it is a bargain.
If you are looking for a 2006 Hertz car to drive, then you can buy one for about $40,000, however, if you are looking at the ultimate 2006 Hertz car, and are prepared to spend the extra money, then you will be investing in a truly extraordinary car.
The car is located in Toronto and interested parties may contact me directly at 416-258-5781.
Although the car is “as new”, there is no warranty or guarantee, but the fact remains that it is virtually perfect in every respect.

Also published at eBay.ca