Week 2: Buffing has Begun

I stopped in to see Mike on Thursday – less than 2 weeks after picked up the car.  The progress has been amazing.  The removable parts are all painted and cleared.  The hood has been wet sanded and initially buffed, and will continue to get better as Mike polishes it to a gleaming and flawless finish.  The remainder of the hanging parts will get buffed the same.  The rest of the car is getting ready for paint and has just completed sanding of the OEM clear coat.

Hood cleared and buffed

Beautiful flat finish with ZERO orange peel! Look at that flawless mirror perfection, and it isn’t even done yet.

Getting ready for paint

 

Bumpers and Trunk – Oh My

Mike sent some photos of his progress.  He finished the front bumper with clear yesterday, and sent a photo of the trunk and rear bumper prior to clearing this afternoon.  I suspect they will be cleared before he heads home for the day?  This project is moving along quite nicely.  Every time I get updated progress photos it’s like Christmas!

Unlike the original vinyl that could not wrap itself inside the license plate area, the paint flows easily into here just like on the original GT350H. The blackout on the factory cars was a compromise due to the vinyl material’s lack of drape-ability.

Waiting for clear

Cleared. Gold stripe stops so that blackout view through the grill opening will be maintained.

 

The gold goes on first…

I had to go see Mike today to sign off on the Gold we are going to use to paint the car.  I was a bit surprised that the color that was initially mixed from the spectrum camera was quite off.  It was much darker than the new vinyl I had that was used as a target.  Mike had mixed in some silver and such and we came up with a hue that looked reasonably close to the target.  It didn’t take him long to start shooting it, as these photos were taken about 5 hours later.  Mike explained to me that the Gold would look better if shot over the white(ish) primer rather than over the black based on his experiments.  We had originally planned to shoot the black first, but plans change.

Cleared

 

I like the beautiful gold color Mike mixed up to match the original Hertz gold stripes!  I look forward to see how crazy of a deep shine this will have after all the sanding and buffing magic is completed on this fresh paint.

 

What is a Shelby GT-H anyway? Why all the fuss?

The Press Release

NEW YORK, Wed., April 12, 2006 – In a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350H “Rent-A-Racer” program from the 1960s, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The Hertz Corporation are partnering to produce a special run of performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs – designated Shelby GT-H, for “Hertz” – that will be available for rent later this spring exclusively through Hertz. Approximately 500 units will be available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Forty years ago, Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation came up with an ingenious plan to help get a batch of high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustangs into the hands of rental customers who also happened to be car enthusiasts. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V-8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions, Shelby added extra performance and style, and Hertz gave the public access to the kind of unique driving experience that one would normally only find on a racetrack. Today, the story of the Shelby/Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” is legendary and surviving Shelby GT350H Mustangs are among the most sought-after collector cars in the world.

To connect the magical past of the original Shelby GT350H with the modern capabilities of the new Ford Mustang, Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up, and – together with the Ford Racing Performance Group – have given the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H a very classic, muscular look as well as some true performance credentials.

“Like the original Hertz cars, the Ford Shelby GT-H will be fun to drive,” said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. “We started with a terrific Mustang and modified it with some Ford go-fast parts and gave it a distinct look for Shelby-style driving. Whoever gets the opportunity to rent one of these unique cars will get an experience of a lifetime.”

Hertz Fun Collection

Further enhancing its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car rental market, Hertz launched its Fun Collection in January 2006. Featuring vehicles tailor-made for travelers seeking exciting driving experiences, the Fun Collection adds more entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

The 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang will be available at select airport locations that feature the Hertz Fun Collection including Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the car will be available in Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

With the addition of the Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang into the Fun Collection, Hertz now offers 36 models that can be specifically reserved, ranging from mid-size to luxury cars, convertibles to SUVs and is the only nationwide car rental company able to allow customers to reserve the specific make and model vehicles at the time of reservation. More than 8,000 Fun Collection vehicles are available at 18 major airport locations in the United States.

“With 2006 marking the 40th anniversary of the Shelby GT350H joining the Hertz fleet, we’re thrilled to be bringing legendary Mustang driving excitement back to our rental customers,” said Walt Seaman, staff vice president, Worldwide Fleet, Maintenance, and Car Sales Operations for The Hertz Corporation. “The Shelby GT-H is a fun, powerful Mustang to drive, and will be a special part of the Hertz Fun Collection. As all cars in the collection are reserved by exact make and model, customers can rest assured that when they reserve a Shelby GT-H Mustang to drive, they will receive the Shelby GT-H Mustang upon arrival.”

Extra “Show”

Like its predecessor, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be instantly recognizable – thanks to several eye-catching styling enhancements that are so much a part of the Shelby Mustang heritage. First and foremost, each Shelby GT-H will wear Black exterior paint set off with Gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz’s vehicle history dating all the way back to the 1920s.

While it’s true that the Shelby GT350H was eventually made available in other color combinations, the Black-and-Gold combo is often referred to as “Hertz colors” by most Mustang aficionados. Shelby’s traditional “Le Mans” dual overbody racing stripes are combined with a set of rocker stripes that include special “Shelby GT-H” nomenclature. Each car will also wear a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature inside the cockpit.

To give a hint of the Mustang GT 4.6-liter 3V V-8 engine’s added capability, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with a custom Shelby Performance hood with pins, and a brushed aluminum grille with running horse emblem. A unique front fascia with integrated lower grille, as well as a set of body side scoops – reminiscent of classic Shelby Mustangs is incorporated for a distinct look. To further catch the enthusiast’s eye, the Mustang GT brakes are dressed up with painted calipers, which can be seen through the GT-H’s 17-inch aluminum wheels wearing P235/55ZR17 performance rubber.

Added “Go”

Ford Racing Performance Group is supplying its popular Power Pack (FR1) to add a genuine 25-horsepower Ford performance kick to the 300-horse Mustang GT 4.6L V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain and an increase of 10 lb.-ft. of torque. The package includes Ford Racing’s 90mm Cold Air kit, the Muffler Kit, a new X-pipe similar to the one used on the new Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, a performance calibration and a cat-back performance exhaust for that throaty sound that will make this car unmistakably a Shelby Mustang GT-H.

“Any Mustang that traces its roots to a Shelby GT350H has to boast increased performance and handling over its factory stock configuration,” said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford Racing’s involvement with niche performance Mustang builds like this Hertz project is a natural for us as well as for Hertz and Shelby.”

To put that extra horsepower to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H also comes with the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) installed, including special-tuned dampers inspired from the FR500C, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace – plus a Ford Racing 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.

Ford Racing will be working hand-in-hand with engineers and technicians at Shelby Automobile’s assembly facility in Las Vegas during the build-out of the GT-H for delivery to Hertz. With total production expected to number only around 500 units exclusively destined for Hertz rental fleets across the country, this special-edition Ford Shelby GT-H is sure to give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience like only Shelby and the Ford Mustang can deliver.

“This GT-H project has been terrific,” said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. “My team here at Shelby Automobiles is very excited with what we have put together with Ford, and Hertz – a pony that not only has a special look, but can really run, too. Those who get to rent a GT-H in the coming months will have the opportunity to enjoy a car that looks, accelerates, handles and sounds the way a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang should. It will prove lots of fun for Hertz customers looking for some real driving excitement.”

2006 FORD SHELBY GT-H PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

SPECIAL “HERTZ EDITION” 2006 FORD MUSTANG GT

PRODUCTION

• Approximately 500 units / available for rental only at select Hertz locations this spring
• Assembly location: Shelby Automobiles, Inc., Las Vegas, NV

EXTERIOR:

• Shelby Automobiles Performance Hood with hood pins
• Ford “California Special” front fascia with unique lower grille
• Ford “California Special” side scoops
• Brushed aluminum grille with “running horse” emblem
• Shelby “Le Mans” overbody gold-color racing stripes
• Shelby “GT-H” rocker panel bodyside gold-color racing stripes
• “Hertz” emblem on front fenders
• Mustang GT Rear Spoiler

INTERIOR:

• Hertz/Shelby door sill plates
• Numbered/sequenced Shelby/Hertz dash plaque

PERFORMANCE:

• 25-horsepower increase over stock 300hp and 10 lb.-ft of torque over 310 lb.-ft.from Ford Mustang GT 4.6-liter 3V V-8 powerplant
• Ford Mustang GT five-speed automatic transmission
• Ford Racing Performance Power Pack (M-2005-FR1)
  – 90mm Cold Air kit (M-9603-GT05)
  – Muffler Kit (M-5230-GTA)
  – Pro-Cal tool w/official Ford Racing calibration
  – X-pipe
• Ford Racing Handling Pack (M-2005-FR3)
  – Dampers (M-18000A)
  – Lowering Springs (M-5300-K)
  – Sway Bars (M-5490-A)
  – Strut Tower Brace (M-20201-S197)
• Ford Racing 3.55:1 gear ratio rear axle assembly
• Mustang GT disc brakes with painted calipers
• Ford Mustang 17×8-inch aluminum wheels w/P235/55ZR17 performance tires

Some nice shots from the 2006 New York Auto Show where the car was revealed

 

Shelby GT-H Hood Pins

One very cool thing about the GT-H is that they brought back the classic Hood Pins of the 60s.  Back in ’65 the GT350 did away with the Ford hood latch/lock in favor of weight savings along with the fiberglass hood.  Special stainless steel hood pins were installed in order to secure the hood down.  By 1967, Shelby added lanyards to secure the hood pins to the car from thieves who would steal the hood pins off the cars – sometimes without the driver’s knowledge until the hood flew off and over the car at speed!

On the 2006 version, Shelby actually used a similar design, but also kept the Ford hood latch just like they did back in 1966.  As a matter of fact, the unique Shelby part number for this installation in 2006 is: S1MS-16892-SSK  This is a Scott Drake Reproduction part of the original 1960’s design with the addition of relocation brackets to mount it to the current body assembly.

 

2006 Road Tests and More….

Who road tests a rental car anyway?  Well you would be crazy not to want to get your hands on this hot program car.

Motor Trend September 2006

Edmunds Inside Line Video Road Test

Mustang Muscle and Fast Fords – April, 2007

Car & Driver November, 2006

Modified Mustangs & Fords – September, 2006

If you would like to travel back in time 40 years, this one is a classic: It’s the vintage Car & Driver May 1966 Shelby GT350H Road Test

 

Hertz “goodies” for original owners

It’s little known secret among the 2006 GT-H community that Hertz had saved some of the unique documentation for each car and had planned to provide it to the first registered owners.  The owners had to figure this out for themselves and had to contact Hertz directly after purchasing their cars from the Ford dealers who sold them after auction.  Owners had to prove ownership to the contact at Hertz before turning over the precious goodie bag.

In the case of #229, the original owner (R.T.) never did request this packet from Hertz as he was unaware of it.  I had investigated who the contact was through the Team Shelby Forum and learned that it was Steve Fleske (sfleske@hertz.com).  I sent Steve an email and was delighted to hear from him within the same business day as I wasn’t even sure he still worked there as the information I got about these packets was several years old already.  Steve verified a few things with me over the phone and through some emails and then sent me a package that had been saved for the owner of #229.  So what was in this package of goodies?

All the original documents were laminated for me including:

1. Ford Window Sticker
2. Certificate of Origin/Sale in California
3. Shelby Invoice to Hertz for post title conversion
4. Adjustment Invoice
5. Ford New Vehicle Inspection Report/Checklist
6. Hertz Vehicle In Service Check Sheet
7. Various Tags/Stickers

Some owners have reported to have gotten the extra/spare key from this package, but I did not receive one, nor do I have one for #229.

These documents reveal that #229 started out as a 2006 Ford Mustang GT (VIN: 1ZVFT82H365234841) with a requested delivery date to Hertz for 5-1-06.  The car was delivered on 6-2-06 and went through the Pre Delivery Service checklist from Ford on 6-5-06.  The Mustang was sold to Santa Monica Ford/Hertz Corporation and drop shipped to Hertz RAC – Las Vegas.  It was assembled in Flat Rock. MI.   Shelby Autos prepared an invoice for the GT-H conversion on 6-2-06 for $8,046.  An adjustment invoice was prepared to Hertz from Ford for the Mustang on 7-18-06 for $25,542.93 (The MSRP was $28,490). It appears that the total cost to Hertz for these completed Shelbys were in the neighborhood of $33,588.  Steve Thornton, the registrar at Shelby American, was able to inform me that #229 was originally shipped to LAX airport for rental duty.

 

Are you “Sirius”?

When the GT-H was rented, it was equipped with a Sirius Satellite radio.  Since the head units were not Sirius ready, they had to modify the car using an FM modulator and associated parts (receiver, antenna, control unit, wiring…)  When the cars were done with fleet service, they were supposed to keep the Sirius radio components intact, but some cars had them accidentally removed (or stolen).

According to the previous owner, #229 did not come with the Sirius head unit.  The Antenna remains in place on the dash, but I have not taken out the console and head unit to determine what else remains of the assembly.  I had read on Team Shelby that the Sirius folks had had on hand a number of replacement units available so that stolen units could be replaced and that owners who had their units accidentally removed before sale could still get them.  The 2007 rental program did not use/need them as the head units were Sirius ready/capable.  These 2006 units had a unique Hertz logo affixed to the controller and were used only in this Shelby Mustang.

I was able to contact David Gfroerer at Sirius (turns out their office is right here in Shakopee, MN) and after explaining what was missing in my car, he sent me the entire install kit.  This kit even included the instruction manual they sent to Shelby for proper installation during the Shelby conversion for Hertz.  The cost? Absolutely free!  What a pleasant surprise indeed.

 

Mike’s Auto Restoration & Customizing

I met Mike several years ago when he was working at Vescios Customizing & Restorations (Rogers, MN).  Vescios has been known in our area to produce fantastic customs and streetrods with amazing body and paint work.  Mike had been instrumental with many of their award winning cars, and when I learned that he had decided to branch out on his own, I had to give him an opportunity to bid the total repaint job for my Shelby.  Mike gave me a competitive price and I felt like he would take great care and pride with my car.  Mike owns and operates Mike’s Restorations & Custom Rods in Long Lake, MN.  The fact that his new shop is only blocks from where I work, it was also a convenient decision for me as well since he allows me to be involved in the process as much as I want.  Mike has been very flexible and gracious so far and has been doing outstanding work.  Mike is also working on a top secret car that is competing for the Ridler Award so you know he must have some mad skills!

 

Body Shop Progress: Week 1

Mike picked up my car after work on Friday, January 18th.

I stopped by the shop on Tuesday the 22nd and was very surprised to see how much work had already been done.  Much of the car was disassembled, the stripes were nearly done being stripped and the rear glass and windshield were already out!

I returned on Wednesday to drop off some parts and found even more progress!

Thursday progress photos from Mike (I’m saving the hood for a separate post!)