ON THE MOVE BACK IN BLACK: 2022 SHELBY/HERTZ GT500H Hertz and Shelby are back in black, and gold, to once again offer customers a radical rental experience. Dubbed the GT500H, this run of cars harkens to the pair’s popular “Rent-a-Racer” promotion of the mid-1960s. That’s when customers were given the rare chance to get behind the wheel of a race-ready machine and put it through its paces, albeit at around-town speeds. MATT AVERY Matt is the Executive Producer and host of the On the Move podcast. He was a repair technician for both BMW and Mercedes- Benz before acquiring a B.S. Degree in Film and moving into automotive journalism. He wrote for the TV show MotorWeek, was the senior video producer for the Cars.com editorial team and served on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Matt’s latest book “COPO” is the authoritative guide to Chevy’s ultimate muscle cars. In 2020, Matt was recognized and awarded by SEMA as a rising young star within the automotive industry, making the coveted “35 Under 35 List.” In 1965, Hertz ordered around 1,000 GT350s for its rental fleets, requesting that during modification, Shelby retain the Mustang’s backseat (which was normally removed to save weight). Under the hood, the vehicles featured a hopped-up 306 HP, 289CI V-8, paired with an upgraded suspension and other items like heavy-duty Kelsey-Hayes disc brakes. The majority of the cars were painted Raven Black, highlighted with Hertz Gold stripes, and all were branded as a GT350H; the added letter standing for Hertz. Before getting the keys, interested drivers had to be older than 25, pass a special checkout quiz and sign a document agreeing that they wouldn’t let anyone else drive or enter the car into competition—a hard policy to abide by, and enforce. From there, they’d pony up $14 a day plus 14 cents a mile and be turned loose in one of the hottest sports cars on the roads. Maintenance costs were high, but the program was a huge hit, playing an important part of Hertz’s automotive legacy. Following contemporary versions marking the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the program, the 2022 GT500H takes things to a whole new level. It features 900 HP, coming from a 5.2L V-8 topped with a gold-hued supercharger. Other upgrades include black powder coated forged mono-block wheels, performance tires and a new ultra-light dry carbon hood, saving 30 pounds. The two company’s logos are seen throughout the cabin, featured on the seats, sill plates and floor mats. A numbered badge is mounted on the dash and under the hood along with special exterior badging. Just 25 will be built; 19 in Shadow Black paint and six painted Oxford White, honoring Shelby American’s 60th anniversary. The looks are classic but the rates are thoroughly modern, each renting for hundreds per day. You can find them this summer at select Hertz airport locations, including Ft. Myers, Las Vegas and Orlando. 50 // MECUM.COM
