2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H: Ultimate Guide

Ford continue the program into 2007 but this time the GT-H would be offered as a convertible

2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

With the 2006 Shelby GT-H being such a huge success for Hertz, Shelby and Ford, the trio decided to continue the program into 2007 but this time the GT-H would be offered as a convertible. The same modifications that had bee made to the coupe were also made to the convertible with the only difference being that the 2007 Shelby GT-H convertible wheel and tire package was upgraded to 18-inch “Bullitt” style aluminum wheels finished in black and shod with P235/55ZR18 performance tires.

For additional stiffness and a touch of style a light bar and supplemental bracing was also added to the convertible. Once again only 500 of the Shelby GT-H convertibles were produced but this time only 499 units made it to the Hertz rental fleet.

All the performance hardware that was installed on the GT-H was the same on the Shelby GT, however advertised power was down to 319-horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque after Ford recertified the power package.

The main mechanical difference between the Shelby GT-H and GT lies within the transmission. While the Hertz version was only produced with the 5R55S automatic transmission the Shelby GT was offered with a choice of either the 5-speed automatic or manual transmission. When the manual transmission was ordered it was fitted with a Hurst short shifter crowned with a white shift knob. Thankfully the gearing on the rear end was same as the GT-H; however the traction control on the Shelby GT could be switched off unlike its rental fleet cousin.

Again, the Shelby GT was fitted with Ford Racing’s FR3 Handing Pack but now the GT rode on larger 18-inch aluminum wheels that had black painted centres on black cars while white GT’s wheels were polished aluminum.

The Shelby GT-H program was discontinued for 2008 however the Shelby GT lived on and was now available as a coupe or convertible. The colour palette was expanded with the addition of Vista Blue to the line up and a special Grabber Orange for the California only GT-C. Both colours came with the metallic silver Le Mans stripes while black cars wore a set of red stripes for 2008.

While the Shelby GT-H and GT were great performing cars with some worthwhile modifications and a rich history behind them, they weren’t all that special in realty. These cars were expensive with list prices that were over $10,000 more than the standard Mustang GT. Worse still anyone could easily open up, or these days click on-too, the Ford Racing catalogue and buy the FR1 and FR3 performance packages for less than $2,500 and install it themselves. The intrinsic value of the car just wasn’t the same as the other Mustangs that had been offered throughout history.

However because these Mustangs had Shelby’s name on them and had represented the first Shelby influenced Ford car in over 35 years people nearly went insane over them with many cars trading hands for more than $50,000 when they were first introduced. Although the Shelby GT-H and GT may not be the fastest Mustangs Shelby ever touched, they did show how powerful the Shelby and Ford brands were when they partnered together. They also wetted the public’s appetite for return of one of the most anticipated and legendary cars in the history of the Mustang, the Shelby GT500!

Press Release

Palm Beach, Fla., March 31, 2007 Lightning has struck again, the Ford Shelby GT-H Rent-A-Racer program from Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The Hertz Corporation has returned with a special run of convertible versions of the performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs for rent exclusively through Hertz. Unveiled and sold for $250,000 on the block at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., the companies announced that approximately 500 convertibles, a first for the GT-H program, will be available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Hawaii, later this year. Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.

The Shelby GT-H Mustang program was launched in 2006 to commemorate a plan by Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation in 1966 to help put high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustang coupes into the hands of racing enthusiast-minded rental customers. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V-8 engines and automatic transmissions while Shelby added extra performance and style. Hertz gave the public access to a unique driving experience. Those Shelby GT-H Mustang coupes are being retired from the fleet, and are in the process of being auctioned off to Ford dealers. Some of the early GT-H coupes to reach auction have achieved impressively high prices in the range of $60,000-$90,000 which underscores the desirability of the Shelby GT-H program.

The program was so popular that Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up to create the first Shelby GT-H Mustang convertibles. The 500 cars will be built at Shelby Auto’s facility in Las Vegas for delivery to Hertz.

“The Ford Shelby GT-H was so much fun to drive that people literally begged us for more,” said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. “The Mustang program never stands still, so we created a Ford Shelby GT-H convertible that gives people another unique driving experience. It’s a genuine American pony car that delivers open air motoring.”

Hertz Fun Collection

Highlighting its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car rental market, Hertz’s Fun Collection features vehicles tailor-made for travelers seeking exciting driving experiences. The Fun Collection, with cars that can be reserved by specific make and model, adds more entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with SIRIUS (Nasdaq: SIRI)* Satellite Radio.

The 2008 Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible 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; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We’re excited to be offering a special edition Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible” commented Joe Nothwang, Executive Vice President and President of the Americas and Pacific for Hertz. “Customer reaction to last year’s Shelby GT-H Mustang was so positive that we felt it only natural to offer yet another exclusive car through Hertz’s Fun Collection. Once again, customers can experience the thrill of renting a high-performance car that provides the utmost in driving experiences while adding a splash of fun with its open roof capabilities.”

Consumers can check-out the Shelby GT-H convertible which will be on display in the SIRIUS booth, booth CP-9 (Crystal Palace 9), at the New York International Auto Show April 6th 15, 2007.

With the addition of the Shelby GT-H Mustang Convertible, Hertz now offers 14 Fun Collection cars that can be specifically reserved. More than 40,000 Fun Collection vehicles are available at approximately 20 major airport locations in the United States.

Shelby Styling

Like its 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang coupe, the 2008 convertible will be instantly recognizable. Clad in black exterior paint set off with gold Le Mans dual racing stripes and Shelby GT-H rocker stripes, each will wear a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates. A numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature will be inside the cockpit.

The Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will be fitted with a unique 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 will be incorporated. The GT-H’s 18-inch black aluminum wheels will be shod with P235/55ZR18 performance rubber. To give the car additional stiffness, a stylish light bar and supplemental bracing will also be added to the convertible.

Thundering Ponies

Ford Racing Performance Group’s Power Pack (FR1) will kick up the 4.6L V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain to 319 horsepower. To put that extra power to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H will feature the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) including special-tuned dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace plus a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.

“Any Mustang touched by Carroll Shelby has a head start on becoming a legend, and a highly desirable collectible, but they’re all designed to be seen, heard and driven hard” said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “That’s why demand is so high in our showrooms, and on the auction block.”

With total production expected to number only 500 units exclusively for Hertz rental fleets, this special-edition Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible will give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience.

“This GT-H project was a tremendous success and demand for the sexy pony car led Shelby Autos and Ford to offer a retail version to the public,” said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc.”Working together with Ford and Hertz, we look forward to creating history with the first Shelby GT-H Mustang convertible. This car will deliver the looks and performance expected of a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang. It will give Hertz customers the opportunity to enjoy a rare muscle car with real top-down driving excitement.”

The Hertz Fun Collection features convertibles including the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Crossfire and Nissan 350Z; coupes/roadsters including Ford Mustang (hard-top), Chrysler Crossfire, and Nissan 350Z; and SUVs such as the Ford Edge AWD, Jeep Wrangler, and Hummer H3. For Shelby GT-H or other Hertz Fun Collection reservations, or to see which vehicles are available, visit www.hertz.com. The Hertz Fun Collection may also be reserved through travel agents or by calling the Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131.

Pictures

Specs & Performance

engine Aluminum V8
aspiration Natural
valvetrain SOHC, 3 Valves per Cyl w/Variable Camshaft Timing
fuel feed Electronic, Returnless & Sequential Ignition
displacement 4605 cc / 281.0 in³
bore 90.2 mm / 3.55 in
stroke 90.0 mm / 3.54 in
compression 9.8:1
power 242.4 kw / 325 bhp
specific output 70.58 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 204.66 bhp per tonne
torque 447.42 nm / 330 ft lbs @ 5750 rpm
body / frame Unit Steel w/Aluminum Hood
front tires P235/55ZR17
rear tires P235/55ZR17
front brakes Vented Discs w/Twin-Piston Calipers, ABS
f brake size mm / in
rear brakes Vented Discs w/Single-Piston Calipers, ABS
r brake size mm / in
f suspension MacPherson Struts w/Ford Racing Handling Pack
r suspension Live Axle w/Ford Racing Handling Pack
curb weight 1588 kg / 3500 lbs
gear ratios :1
final drive 3.55:1