Back in 1968, the Shebly Cobra GT350 was the dream car for many weekend race car drivers, but with starting prices just over $4k net everyone could afford one. That’s where Hertz came into the picture. For a modest fee, you could rent a genuine Shelby GT350 to take racing on the weekend. Most of the Hertz cars were automatics, but that didn’t change the fact that they were capable racers. After their rental car days, many of the cars ended up being raced hard by their new owners. Some though, were well cared for and are still in decent shape today. This particular example is said to be in good shape with just 68k miles. You can find it here on eBay in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a starting price of $66k.
When we talk about the Hertz edition GT350, most of us think of the black and gold clad ’66 Shelby, but in 1968 Shelby worked a new deal to get GT350s into Hertz rental locations. These later cars were offered in a wide range of colors. It’s believed only 224 cars were built and shipped to Hertz, making these later examples quite difficult to come by.
The seller claims to have owned this car since 1975 and that they have lots of receipts for all the work that’s been done to it over the years. I don’t doubt their claims one bit, but I do find it curious that the majority of the photos of the car are old. We get two photos that are less than 10 years old, while the rest look to be from the ’80s. I can’t speak for everyone, but most people like to see what they are buying when they are spending $66k+ on a classic car. Maybe the seller will post some additional photos? At least they posted the VIN to prove that it really is a Shelby GT350!
Holy bait and switch Batman!!!!!!!!
It was an attractive, clean car in the 80s pictures. Maybe no newer pictures because it has been languishing in a barn with bird doo doo on the paint (at least its white on
white), and rats and mice loading the interior with pellets. These were very attractive cars, but no muscle. They had a regular Mustang 302 low output engine with a 4bbl and Cobra dress up kit. Just a handsome weak knee boulevard cruiser, especially with the pokey Cruise O Matic and wimpy secretary 302. Not a hairy solid lifter 289 HiPo like the earlier 65-66 and the handsome and powerful 67 GT350s has.
@King,
You are correct about the ’68 GT-350’s. Stock Mustang driveline(235hp). I don’t even think it would have a 9″ rear diff(?). No Cobra intake, no Holley, etc. My least favorite Shelby(Ford), other than the dodge.
Did you notice the ’67 Shelby steering wheel(nice addition)? I don’t think the ’68’s had a special wheel. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
I totally agree. Not taking anything away from it, but it’s not a $66k + car imho.
Rocco, you are correct. The addition of the 67 wheel was very nice. Stock 68 steering wheel was corporate Ford with a special fake wood inlay with a rectangular Shelby Cobra badge. Stylish and kinds rich appearing, but bulky and not sporting.
Show me the Marti. Where’s the beef ??
1967 steering wheel, only 3 documented 1968 shelbys ever came with 10 spokes rest had hubcaps. And no 1968 ever came from the factory with Le Mans stripes. A lot of money IMO for this car.
I sure as hell would not consider that car without an up close and personal inspection… at the very least.
I am sure more photos and a personal inspection will be available before money changes hands. In the (large) boat world. The buyer doesn’t get a test cruise until after the deal is done (sometimes including an independent survey), money is proven but before it changes hands. If it is not properly represented, the buyer can call the deal off. In high dollar transactions, that system minimizes dealing with tire kickers. Off course, everything is negotiable. I am not a Ford guy but with the history and performance of these little cars……it could be really fun and have a great investment potential.
Back in the day some gear heads would rent a car for the weekend and swap parts. Anything they needed including heads and even entire engines.
shockingly dishonest
shockingly?
The license plate does show 2017 on it. I tend to think the interior shot and the rear shot are from a different car. But who knows! I would need the Marti report and some hands on before I dropped that much on it.
Honest question, weren’t the dashes and columns in white cars painted black? I knew colored cars dashes were more body color. I could be wrong and if I am cool. Just curious, especially about this one. Something doesn’t add up.
I cannot speak for the Mustangs but on a standard Cougar with a white interior the metal dash will be painted white. If the car is an XR-7 then the metal dash will be painted black even with a white interior.
To more correctly answer your question in the late 60s Mustangs and Cougars the metal dash was usually color keyed to the interior color, not the exterior color. Although as I stated above the XR-7 package made the dash black regardless of the interior color. There may have been some level of Mustang interior that did the same, I cannot speak to that.
For me it looks very dubious.
A mix of old and new photos, no details and a very vague description – sorry, I have a very uneasy feeling at this sale soffer.
The photos remind me of a crime scene; detectives survey photos pasted on the walls trying to understand . . .
Guys, I am here in OKC, if anyone is a serious buyer I can arrange to check it out and provide current photos and actual condition.
Im fortunate enough to get to wrench on not one but two GT350H cars. Both ’66 with the 289 k code engines. One is manual the other is auto with a Paxton supercharger (not original). I have to say, those 289’s work well with the car. I’d take one over a GT 500 with the 428 any day.
Easier to work on too!
If I recall correctly, the first Hertz Mustang GT350s (1966) actually had “GT350H” on the rocker stripe.. Back then I heard stories of people renting them and actually swapping engines for a stocker then returning to unsuspecting Hertz stores.. Something tells me that there are more of these ‘Rent a Racers’ out there today than Hertz ever ordered or Shelby ever produced…
I owned an early Hertz with a 4-speed, so I did some research. I used to have a copy of the registrar. I might still have it, but I remember there were right at 1000 ’66 Hertz units. The first 85 or so had 4-speeds, and the rest had C-4 auto’s. Hertz found out pretty quick that not everyone knew how to drive a stick shift. Before that, Ford had only built a handful of 289 K-code Mustangs with an auto.
’66’s had the “H” after 350. Yes, folks would yank the k engine and swap with regular 289, then return. Many were also totaled by renters.
I really like the tilt steering wheel column. Do any of you know if that was an option on 66 mustangs? I sure do need one.
Never on a ’65-’67 Mustang. They have a solid steering shaft from the box up to the wheel. The ’68 must’ve started the Bendix steering box that connects with a rag joint under the hood(like ’69-up). I’m only 100% on the ’65-’67. Someone can help out here with more knowledge.
I actually put a ’69 box and shaft in my ’65 Mustang to get a faster ratio.The turn signal switch and horn contacts are different.
I am pretty sure that you can get a tilt column through the aftermarket. Something like an Ididit or Flaming River column.
Not sure about 66 tilt!
I know that in the 67 cougar XR7 you could have a tilt away column, I had one in the early 80`s with a 390 & 4sp!
Correct Brian Scheel. The 67 Cougars did not use the one piece steering shaft, they have a rag joint. I would think that 67 Mustangs, at least the ones built in Dearborn, would have the same system as both cars were built on the same assembly line. There were 10,721 1967 Cougars built with the tilt steering column.
The 67 Cougars did not use the one piece steering shaft, they have a rag joint. I would think that 67 Mustangs, at least the ones built in Dearborn, would have the same system as both cars were built on the same assembly line.
That does make sense. I’m not a know it all, I’ve just never seen any.
Thanks for that bit of info.
Winning bid:US $68,509.00
[ 11 bids ]