Lost and Found: The Timeless Tale of a Shelby GT350H Preserved in Dust
Following the Mustang's smash-hit debut in 1964, Ford sought to dominate another market segment — high-performance, street-legal cars. Heading the pack was the Shelby GT350, born out of a fruitful collaboration with Shelby American. Jacked up on horsepower and brimming with attitude, these Mustangs were built to fend off Detroit's power contenders, carving a path that led Carroll Shelby to ink a pivotal deal with Hertz in 1965. Enter the GT350H, a car cloaked in legends, lore, and more stories than Detroit’s assembly lines could crank out.
The Hertz Connection
Shelby agreed to provide Hertz with 1,000 GT350 Mustangs for their 'Rent-a-Racer' program. For a mere $17 per day and 17 cents per mile, anyone over 25 could get behind the wheel of these high-octane machines. Though identical to the regular GT350s, the Hertz variants were on a different path. Post their rental tenure, these muscle cars went back to Ford for a tune-up before hitting the market for eager buyers.
An Enthralling Journey for Andy and Mary Ann
In 1969, Andy Vann purchased one such GT350H — a decision that would weave the car into the fabric of his life. This machine wasn't just metal and rubber; it symbolized the early days of his relationship with Mary Ann, who became quite enamored with the Mustang during their dates. Her affection for the GT350H made it her daily driver, though car enthusiasts constantly badgered her to sell it. To escape the relentless offers, the couple finally stashed the car in their garage in 1980, where it sat dormant for years.
From Dusty Obscurity to a Showstopper
Reemerging in 2009 for its 45th anniversary, the GT350H still bore three decades of garage dust. Ignoring typical conventions of restoration, Andy and Mary Ann decided to flaunt its storied layers of time at a Mustang meet. This journey continued as the car rolled out yet again for Mustang's 60th anniversary in 2024, garnering attention for its untouched history.
The Myth of the Racer
This particular GT350H challenges the stereotype of rental racers. Although Andy has a resume filled with sanctioned motorsport events, he never piloted the Mustang at breakneck speeds. He purchased it when it had clocked just under 14,500 kilometers. Since then, Mrs. Vann drove it to an astonishing 158,429 miles, yet remarkably, it’s still known for never consuming more than a quart of oil between changes.
From Pekin to Paris: A Testament to Expertise
Adding another feather to his cap, Andy competed in a brutal 45-day rally from Pekin, China to Paris, France in a 1950 Ford Club Coupe, showcasing not just his driving prowess but his extensive automotive knowledge. With experiences that include traversing Tibet and the Himalayas, driving a classic Shelby seemed almost serene.
For the Vanns, this 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H is irreplaceable. They don't foresee parting with it, noting they have no children to inherit it. According to Mary Ann, the car will be their eternal companion. With only 86 of the original 1,000 Hertz units bearing a coveted four-speed manual transmission, the Vanns' three-speed automatic still offers exhilarating shifts at 5,500 RPMs, reflecting Shelby American’s relentless pursuit of performance.
The GT350H comes equipped with a K-code 289-cubic-inch Hi-Po V8 engine, bumping up an already impressive 271 hp to a Shelby-enhanced 306 hp. This was achieved with exhaust headers, an aluminum intake manifold, and a high-capacity Holley carburetor. In this particular classic, the spirit of Shelby's commitment to speed and power lives on, resonating with a history punctuated by first-hand tales and achievements far too grand to be forgotten.