First Glance: No ordinary Mustang
The Hertz version, known as the GT-H, is black with gold stripes and gets a unique hood, wheels and a chrome Hertz badge on the fender. No, this isn't theft protection; those that survive life in the rental fleet are expected to be extremely valuable when they are sold off. Hertz will add 500 GT-Hs to their rental fleet as part of their Fun Collection in select US cities.
Inside both cars, subtlety is the name of the game; a big plaque on the dashboard bearing the car's production number and a likeness of Carroll's signature is the giveaway. Stick-shift versions of the GT get a Hurst shift lever with old-school cue-ball shift knob. No fancy Hurst shifter for the GT-H; they all have automatic transmissions.
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In the Driver's Seat: Visually subtle, aurally in-your-face
The exhaust system is part of the Ford Racing FR1 Power Pack, which also includes a cold-air intake, high-flow oil filter and performance calibration programming for the engine's computer. GTs with a manual trans get the aforementioned Hurst shifter; its part of a short-throw kit which shortens the movement required to change gears to a scant couple of inches. The shifter takes a bit of getting used to; it feels more like throwing a toggle switch than shifting gears. Once you adjust to the smaller movements, the feeling is absolutely wonderful -- at steady speeds I found myself shifting back and forth between 3rd, 4th and 5th just for the pure joy of it.
On the Road: Better living through engine and suspension modifications
The Shelby is also fitted with the Ford Racing FR3 Handling Pack. It includes stiffer springs that give the car a lower ride along with specially modified shock absorbers, sway bars and a strut tower brace. All those bits work together to give the Shelby GT more precise and balanced handling than a regular Mustang, but with a ride smooth enough to live with every day. The Shelby gets traction control to prevent rear wheelspin; it can be turned of on the GT but not on the GT-H.
Journey's End: Yet another reason why the Mustang rules
The Shelby GT is a car you can safely enjoy on your daily commute, and it's bound to be a serious contender on the track as well. At $35,000 it compares well with cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru WRX STi, though with Carroll Shelby's signature on the dashboard the GT is likely to trade for a lot more money. No worries, though -- thanks to the Hertz GT-H, lots of people will be able to afford the Shelby GT experience -- if only for a couple of days.
Mustang started the "pony car wars" of the 60s, and history is about to repeat as the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro re-appear in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Both will have their work cut out for them. Mustang is a bastion of performance and retro style, and the Shelby GT just adds to the appeal -- for owners and renters alike.





