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AUG 6, 2020 | From Ford Performance Staff Reports

Paul Flores, 70, Loves 'Rent-A-Racer' Legacy of His '16 Shelby GT-H

2016 Shelby GT-H Mustang Black with Gold Stripes

At age 70, Paul and Jean Flores of Manteno, Illinois, own and enjoy a pair of modern Mustangs. But Paul finds favor with his 2016 Shelby GT-H, and much of that has to do with the legacy of that particular model. Based on his email to us below, you can tell that Paul appreciates Shelby history:

Shelby GT-H Rear Photo

“Hello, Ford Performance! I’m Paul Flores. My wife Jean and I own a pair of Mustangs, one is a new red Roush, and the other is a 2016 Shelby GT-H. This is the 50th Anniversary model and is very rare. Less than 170 GT-H Mustangs were produced for Hertz. The GT-H models were first produced back in 1966 as a marketing program that included Ford, Shelby and Hertz. The black Mustangs were purchased by Hertz and sent directly to Shelby for modifications, including the suspension, engine, and a gold stripe. Special emblems as well as a back quarter-window, were added to the fastback models. The idea was that for $17.99 per day plus mileage, you could rent a racing car from Hertz on the weekends, and return it on Monday.

Shelby GTH and ROUSH Mustang in Driveway

“In 2006, Ford, Shelby, and Hertz, brought back the 40th Anniversary Model and over 2,000 cars were produced. In 2016, Ford brought out the 50th Anniversary model of the famous "Rent a Racer," and mine is #44 out of less than 170 models produced. It has 19,000 miles on it and was purchased about two years ago. I'm the second owner, with the first owner showing in the title and paperwork as the Hertz Corporation.

Shelby GTH Interior Photo 

All 50th Anniversary models include factory tuning of the engine and suspension and a Ford Performance exhaust system that makes this GT-H growl. There are emblems all over, as well as the famed gold stripe over the gloss-black paint job, along with special 19-inch GT-H wheels. The unique GT-H package cost over $10,000 on top of the car’s MSRP of $39,995, for a total of just shy of $50K!

Shelby GTH Interior

“My 2016 GT-H was initially a rental car, as were most of the GT-H Mustangs produced that year. My car’s first home was at the Atlanta Airport's Hertz counter. The rest of the GT-Hs were dispersed at major city airports such as L.A., Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, and the like. Except this time around, for about $395 per day, once again you could go and "Rent a Racer!" 

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