Many of the hi-po items, like the intake and certain suspension pieces, were painted blue just in case I was unsure this was a special car. But it is special, as it has 25 hp more than the standard GT. How was this achieved? Ford Racing Performance Group's FR1 Power Pac. Add the FR3 Handling Pac and you'll be on your way to driving past puberty.
Purchasers of the upcoming...
Purchasers of the upcoming Shelby GT from Ford won't be receiving the GT-H's Shelby-spec hood. Too bad because this is one of the coolest parts of the car. You can, however, get it from Hillbank Motorsports in Irvine, California. It's $749 for the hood, then you'll need to cough up another $89 for the grille, and $69 if you want the Shelby hood pins.
After assuring the Hertz employee that I understood the traction control was rendered inoperable for people like me (not to mention the mandatory auto tranny, natch), I turned the key and heard that familiar rumble that occasionally gives me whiplash when I hear a cool car in the background. Seven miles were on the odometer.
Lost Chances
Driving in west Los Angeles after midnight, I found myself passing by a sinister and modified late-model Stang with cop wheels. Not interested in getting in a tussle with one of LA's finest, I tried to avoid eye contact. Then, looking over, I received the universal "hang loose" signal. Is that California's way of saying "cool car," or was it some code to say "let's get it on?" I dunno, but he followed me for a bit more till I turned into a lot and he was gone. Guess I missed a moment of manhood.
The next day, I drove to the northern suburbs of LA. Driving through the freeways gave me a sense of what a comfortable car the Shelby is. Its ride is compliant and not harsh like many other hi-po vehicles. I had no complaints about the seats, but the dashboard is another story. While the backlighting with the choice of colors is cool, the design of the interface renders it as nothing beyond gimmickry. The Sirius radio package was a delight-boy, do I ever miss Howard-but overall the radio was marred by my pet peeve of more buttons than knobs. The hood looks killer from the outside, but from the inside it makes me feel glad I'm as tall as a supermodel. The wheels and rake give the car a look that's totally trick- or whatever lingo Californians are using these days.
Are You Man Enough?
There is never any doubt you're driving a special car (if the $150 daily price/75 miles credit doesn't do it for ya) because of the plate on the dash with Carroll Shelby's signature and car number (in this case, No. 36/500). Under the hood is another plate that has all the special numbers, too. But what's with that hood prop? Why can't Ford add springs to the hinges? I would think a car of this caliber would be avoiding this cheapie pitfall, no? For shame, Fords and the Hon. Mr. Shelby.
Otherwise, interest was high by onlookers, but not as much as I had expected. Perhaps this was because it was Los Angeles, where "me, too" just doesn't cut it. Perhaps it wasn't exotic enough? Doubtful, as the Shelbys available to the public haven't made their presence yet. Chances are, people just didn't realize what they were seeing.
Hair on My Chest?
So what do we have here? A quasi-supercar that's easy to drive? Perhaps knowing they will be snapped up at auction once their tenure is up is the reason why this is so. I was hoping for more of an unbridled, peaky experience, much like the solid-lifter Hertz cars of yore. Instead, I rented a very nice Mustang that will be creamed by the Shelby, soon to be available to the public. But 1 of 500 is something special these days, especially when compared to the late, lamented Cobra ragtops from a few years ago. Will I be man enough for the new Shelby? I think there's little doubt I'll grow some hair when they do come out.