No "H" in Hertz car rocker stripes

[Bill Collins]

Another thread in this topic veered into a discussion about the absence of the "H" from the rocker stripes on many Hertz cars.

Our local Shelby franchisee, Francis For Fords, acquired a batch of GT350H's out of the Hertz disposition program in 1967. Being as I spent a lot of time hanging around the place back then, I was usually aware of the various Shelbys that were for sale.

All of the ones I remember from this group were black/gold (no "color" examples) and had no "H" in the rocker stripe. I asked someone about this and was told that the cars came in that way; the dealership had not removed the letter. It was left to speculation as to why this was done. The prevailing opinion was that since these cars were out of Hertz's hands, they no longer wanted them to be identified with the company. So, they removed the "H" during reconditioning. As an aside, we know that Hertz cancelled the 1967 GT350H program after about 30 black automatics had been built at Shelby American but not yet delivered.

One of the '66 Francis For Ford cars, 6S819,was purchased by close friends the Beshore brothers and built into an SCCA hill climb / autocross car. They ran it from '67 to '70 and in 1971 sold it to buy a Cobra. I would often assist them at the various events they entered.

Attached are two period photos of 819, notably missing the "H" in the stripes. I also found a Francis For Fords display ad that appeared in the August 10, 1967 Harrisburg Patriot News that includes a black/gold GT350 for $3495 with no mention of Hertz. It is unknown if this was 6S819, but it is a strong candidate.

We are now also aware of Hertz cars lacking the "H" that were sold in other locales. It would be interesting to know if this was company wide policy or limited to certain Hertz sales offices.

 

[gt350cs]

When I purchased 6S1854 in 1967, the H had been removed. There were two other 1966 Black/Gold GT350H with the missing H at the Dealership where I purchsed mine at the time. Most people did not know these had been rental cars at the time.

[cobrachi]

Interesting that the blank space where the "H" was....was not filled in 

[6s1640]

Love the vintage images.

Thanks for sharing.

Cory

[Brant]

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add about the removed "H" in the stripes, but the SB Chevy with the blower sure was interesting in 6S819! LOL

I think Chisman got a speeding ticket for 150 or something crazy like that.

[Bob Gaines]

Interesting that the blank space where the "H" was....was not filled in 

Gold Hertz stripes are cut to compensate for the H . When the H is removed there is not enough gold center stripe material to move over so as to fill in. Of course you can buy another stripe kit to get a longer length. Apparently many didn't think outside the box, didn't care or didn't want the added expense to fix the issue. 

[gt350cs]

Bob,

Remember that back then they were just used cars and most of us who bought them were doing so because we couldn't afford the price of a new Shelby. I didn't even know that my car was missing the H in the stripes when I got it. I also did not realize that someone had switched out the shelby seat belts for standard Mustang. Maybe one of these days one of my sons will restore it and make the corrections, but as for right now I am OK with what I have. Lots of great memories as well. by the way thank you so very much for all of your contributions to this Forum it is very much appreciated.

[Bob Gaines]

Bob,

Remember that back then they were just used cars and most of us who bought them were doing so because we couldn't afford the price of a new Shelby. I didn't even know that my car was missing the H in the stripes when I got it. I also did not realize that someone had switched out the shelby seat belts for standard Mustang. Maybe one of these days one of my sons will restore it and make the corrections, but as for right now I am OK with what I have. Lots of great memories as well. by the way thank you so very much for all of your contributions to this Forum it is very much appreciated.

Your right I should have included "didn't know it was missing " as one of the reasons the blank was not filled in. Thank you for the kind words.

[SFM66H]

I bought 6S1615 on June 30, 1976 (and still own it now, 49 years later). I was told that it was a Hertz car, but it had silver stripes and no "H" in the side stripes. Was it for SURE?? As a 19 year old guy that was HOT for a Shelby, I just had to take the chance. Back in those early days, we only had urban myths and rudimentary beliefs about what MADE a Shelby a real Hertz car - remember the "pop rivets in the drip rails" theory (see The Definitive Shelby Mustang Guide - pg 104) as one of those beliefs? Remember, this was before SAAC discovered / acquired the original invoices and paperwork in Shelby's attic that gave us the documentation we all take for granted these days.

I had noticed that 1615's top stripes and side stripe letters/numbers were all much thicker than just the middle piece of side stripe to the right of the "0" of G.T. 350. I learned later that was because that middle piece of side stripe after the "0" was just one coat of silver paint applied after the "H" had been removed!

Here it is in the summer of 1976:




Here it is in 1978, now with 10-spokes:




And here it is in 1983 at Shelby Parts and Restoration. Jim Cowles took these photos of me pouring on the first of the paint stripper and scraping away the silver paint to reveal the original HERTZ GOLD paint! What an exciting rush that moment of validation was for me:

 

Later in the side stripe stripping process I confirmed that it was just one coat of silver paint applied to mimic a piece of middle stripe where the "H" had been removed.

BTW - I recently brought all of 1615's original windshield and rear window trim out of the attic to do a micro cleaning job on them. I was astonished to discover areas of HERTZ GOLD stripe overspray on them that I had not noticed prior! Yes, I left it on there!! That is HISTORY from 1966.

The stories that many of us have of our Hertz car's missing their "H's" way back in the day to attempt to disguise the fact that they were rental cars sure makes for compelling reading in this day and age!

Kieth   
 

[Bill Collins]

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add about the removed "H" in the stripes, but the SB Chevy with the blower sure was interesting in 6S819! LOL

I think Chisman got a speeding ticket for 150 or something crazy like that.

Brant's post provoked a few memories about 6S819 and Tom Chisman. He and I were close friends at the time, and we are still in touch today. After the Beshores concluded campaigning it at the end of the 1970 season, they returned it to street configuration, although they left the roll cage in it.

They sold it late in '70 or early '71 to a fellow in nearby Hershey, PA. In 1974, my dad mentioned an ad he saw in a local weekly "shopper" paper offering what was described as a "1966 Shelby colt" for $850. Tom had been looking for a car and I told him about it. We drove to Hershey to look at it and I immediately recognized it as the former Beshore race car. He bought it on the spot for about $650.

At the time, I was working for a national real estate appraisal company. Being single and into adventure, I was often selected for TDY assignments around the country. It was not unusual for me to walk into the office on a Friday and have the boss hand me a plane ticket for Sunday night to report to somewhere on Monday morning.

So it happened that right after Tom's purchase of 819, I was sent to North Carolina for a couple of months. When I got back, I discovered to my horror that Tom was well into converting 819 to a small block Chevy powered street machine. I was so angry with him that I didn't speak to him for a month.

I eventually came around from my displeasure. By then, 819 was as seen in Brant's photo, with a Rootes style blower and 2 4bbl Holleys, along with a custom header exhaust system and substantial frame and driveline modifications. It was the most fearsome machine in town.

Interstate 81 was under construction in our area at that time. It spanned the Susquehanna River near where Tom lived. The mile long 81 bridge crossing was completed ahead of the rest of the roadway but not yet opened. For a time, it became the venue of choice for the street racers. Tom took me along for a run there in 819 one evening and it was one of the most terrifying rides of my life. My most vivid recollection from it was the windshield wipers standing out by a few inches from the glass, quivering in the cowl wind pressure. We had to be going 150 mph.

Tom and 819 also had numerous encounters with local law enforcement, but that's a story for another time.

[FL SAAC]

Love this picture,  glad it got it's small block Ford back in.

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add about the removed "H" in the stripes, but the SB Chevy with the blower sure was interesting in 6S819! LOL

I think Chisman got a speeding ticket for 150 or something crazy like that.

[FL SAAC]

Amazing story. glad you still have it.

They are amazing historical Shelbys having gone through this conversion process

To quote the Greatful Dead

"What a Long Strange Trip It's Been"

I bought 6S1615 on June 30, 1976 (and still own it now, 49 years later). I was told that it was a Hertz car, but it had silver stripes and no "H" in the side stripes. Was it for SURE?? As a 19 year old guy that was HOT for a Shelby, I just had to take the chance. Back in those early days, we only had urban myths and rudimentary beliefs about what MADE a Shelby a real Hertz car - remember the "pop rivets in the drip rails" theory (see The Definitive Shelby Mustang Guide - pg 104) as one of those beliefs? Remember, this was before SAAC discovered / acquired the original invoices and paperwork in Shelby's attic that gave us the documentation we all take for granted these days.

I had noticed that 1615's top stripes and side stripe letters/numbers were all much thicker than just the middle piece of side stripe to the right of the "0" of G.T. 350. I learned later that was because that middle piece of side stripe after the "0" was just one coat of silver paint applied after the "H" had been removed!

Here it is in the summer of 1976:




Here it is in 1978, now with 10-spokes:




And here it is in 1983 at Shelby Parts and Restoration. Jim Cowles took these photos of me pouring on the first of the paint stripper and scraping away the silver paint to reveal the original HERTZ GOLD paint! What an exciting rush that moment of validation was for me:

 

Later in the side stripe stripping process I confirmed that it was just one coat of silver paint applied to mimic a piece of middle stripe where the "H" had been removed.

BTW - I recently brought all of 1615's original windshield and rear window trim out of the attic to do a micro cleaning job on them. I was astonished to discover areas of HERTZ GOLD stripe overspray on them that I had not noticed prior! Yes, I left it on there!! That is HISTORY from 1966.

The stories that many of us have of our Hertz car's missing their "H's" way back in the day to attempt to disguise the fact that they were rental cars sure makes for compelling reading in this day and age!

Kieth   
 

[deathsled]

Lots of long term owners on this thread. Impressive.

[PoFoMoCo]

I bought 6S1615 on June 30, 1976 (and still own it now, 49 years later). I was told that it was a Hertz car, but it had silver stripes and no "H" in the side stripes. Was it for SURE?? As a 19 year old guy that was HOT for a Shelby, I just had to take the chance. Back in those early days, we only had urban myths and rudimentary beliefs about what MADE a Shelby a real Hertz car - remember the "pop rivets in the drip rails" theory (see The Definitive Shelby Mustang Guide - pg 104) as one of those beliefs? Remember, this was before SAAC discovered / acquired the original invoices and paperwork in Shelby's attic that gave us the documentation we all take for granted these days.... here it is in 1983 at Shelby Parts and Restoration. Jim Cowles took these photos of me pouring on the first of the paint stripper and scraping away the silver paint to reveal the original HERTZ GOLD paint! What an exciting rush that moment of validation was for me:

Kieth 
 

What a great story SFM66H!