Numbers-Matching '66 GT350-H 298ci V8 Automatic SAAC Registered

This 1966 Shelby GT350-H is a textbook example of the legendary "Rent-A-Racer" program that linked Carroll Shelby and the Hertz Corporation in one of the most unique and daring performance car stories of the 1960s. Shelby's idea was simple: take a high-performance GT350, equip it with a few more creature comforts, and let weekend warriors rent it from airport counters across the country. The result was one of the most iconic limited-production Mustangs ever built, a run of approximately 1,000 units, and this example captures the essence of the program with remarkable authenticity.

A fresh rotisserie restoration has returned this Raven Black fastback to peak form, executed to exacting standards. Every step of the process was completed with careful attention to factory-correct details, from paint daubs and chalk markings to panel stampings and period-authentic finishes.

This car, chassis 6S1879, is confirmed by the Shelby American Automobile Club registry as having been built in April 1966. It was equipped from new with an automatic transmission and finished in its original Raven Black exterior with Gold Le Mans stripes, a livery exclusive to the GT350-H program and one that has since become iconic in its own right. Shelby American invoiced The Hertz Corporation $3,859.75 for the car, which included additional options such as Magnum 500 chrome wheels and a factory radio.

After its rental career, it entered private ownership. After exchanging hands with various owners in southern California, a recent owner commissioned a rotisserie restoration intended to meet concours-level expectations. The process revealed extensive originality and minimal corrosion. Key components, including the doors, fenders, quarter panels, rocker panels, quarter wells, radiator support, and aprons, were all date-stamped March 1966.

The reassembly process was performed with the utmost attention to authenticity, following MCA and SAAC guidelines. The underbody was finished in the correct red oxide primer with overspray, and correct fasteners, finishes, and hardware were used throughout. The goal was to recreate not just the appearance, but the essence of a 1966 GT350-H as it would have looked fresh from Shelby American's Los Angeles facility. In addition, this car also features a 1966-only all-steel hood.

Beneath the hood, the car retains its original numbers-matching 289ci K-code V-8 engine, an essential component in verifying any Shelby's pedigree. During the restoration, the factory Ford chassis number stamped on the inner fender apron was found to match both the Shelby American VIN plate and the stamping on the engine block itself. The engine features a correct Autolite 4100 CZ6F-F four-barrel carburetor and is backed by a date-correct C4 3-speed automatic transmission. Factory-rated at 306 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, this high-revving small-block was a serious performer in its day and remains an icon of Shelby's engineering. Sending power to the pavement is a proper Ford 9-inch rear end with a 3.00:1 gear ratio and a limited-slip differential.

Inside, the car features its correct black vinyl interior, which includes proper materials, trim, and finishes per 1966 Shelby specifications. Details like the wood-rimmed steering wheel, factory radio, and a dash-mounted Shelby tachometer help complete the authentic presentation, offering a glimpse into what customers would have experienced when they stepped into a Hertz rental counter five decades ago.

Shelby American order invoices and a full SAAC registry listing accompany the car, confirming its provenance and originality. As presented today, this Shelby GT350-H is not just a restored collector car, it is a detailed and faithful recreation of a moment in American automotive history when factory muscle could be sampled for a weekend at the airport. Whether destined for the concours field, a museum, or a private collection, this Shelby delivers on every level and represents one of the most compelling chapters in Ford and Shelby's shared performance legacy.

Key Highlights

* Authentic Shelby GT350-H
* Concours-level, ground-up restoration
* Shelby American invoice and delivery paperwork
* SAAC Registered
* Numbers-matching Hi-Po 289ci V8
* Date-correct C4 3-speed automatic transmission
* Ford 9" rear axle with 3.00 gearing
* Limited-slip differential
* 1966-only steel hood
* Date-correct sheet metal
* Autolite CZ6F-F 4-barrel carburetor
* Raven Black with painted Gold Le Mans stripes
* Chrome Magnum 500 wheels
* Factory radio
* Dash-mounted Shelby tachometer