I figure a chance like this comes along one in a lifetime. I just got my hertz employee discount card from my dad and needed to rent a car while in Cleveland. I typed in the code and decided what the heck let's just see what's in the fun collection. Low and behold they have Shelby's. Well my flight gets delayed 2 Hrs. and finally lands at 10:00 pm. I run to the Counter and give the lady my name and then she paused and said OH you're gettin a shelby, WOW.... She then gets the manager and approval. I sign the papers and take the manditory Loss/Damage Waiver $189.00 total price for one day with taxes and insurance. The manager then comes around the counter and says we have to inspect the car together. We go out to the car and she runs down about a 25 point checklist with me. Among other things they check to see if you take any of the parts or badging off the car. Then she tells me when I return it DO NOT go through the regular return. You must park it up front so the manager can inspect the car. I get in and turn the key.... Dang this thing sounds mean. I want my 01 GT to sound like this. I adjust the seat and mirrors, find the lights and off we go. I get to the exit booth and the guy's face lit up like a christmas tree. He was like you got the good one eh!! He said that hertz employees aren't aloud to rent them. What a shame, anyway I make my way onto 480 East and kick her in the gut. Dang this car has some balls and handles really well. Make me realize how bad I need suspension work after 90K miles. I check into the Hotel, then make my way to the the Steak & Shake. It just so happens about 40 kids with hondas, mitsu's, and nissans are all gathering together getting ready to setup some racing. I pull in real slow and drive right between their cars and park towards the end. I heard one kid say Look at this S--T. They swarmed to the car like winnie the pooh to honey. I open the door and the first kid said I never thought I'd see one of these. I replied with I never thought I'd drive one. We opend the hood and they all took out there cell phones to snap pics. After about 20 minutes of if you pull this wire here and here you gain 50 horse and so on. I'd had enough and graciously made my way in for the steak burgers. It's now close to 3 am and I still need to drive back to the hotel after installing a tape drive. I'll follow up tomorrow with the return procedure and pics.
One roared by me when I was down in Malibu for the day, the thing sounded so mean it made me feel like an idiot in out rented Chrysler Sebering 'vert. You're really lucky you got one, glad to hear you had an awesome time!
Thanks.... It does roar. I figure I've got another 12 Hours to drive it and then it's back to Jersey.
Yes. It is easier to get a child out of a Chuck-E-Cheese than rent and retuen the Shelby Sbelyo writes: "It's now close to 3 am and I still need to drive back to the hotel after installing a tape drive." Information technology technician? Have fun.. Jenn
Great story I bet it just spoiled all the future rentals you'll ever get in your life? I'd love to rent one just to say I did but I can always have a goal and life this dream through other stories.... THANKS and post some pics.
you're more trusting than i am. i wouldn't trust anyone around that car if i'm responsible for it, especially if it's a rental. 40 kids around that car sounds like unwanted trouble. glad to hear that nothing went wrong...so far.
It's not that permanent... I was able to disable it in 10 seconds. Just press the left side of the button with a little force and it will turn off. You can see they put a small strip of something behind the button. It's too thin and will flex enough to hit the button.
Yup... In vermont as I type taking over some app... Drove from Jersey in my 01 GT though. One of the best drives ever...
Better you than me. Long hours. Glad you got to enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity and hacked the TC. Any issues upon return and checkout? I am sure none of the purported checkout technicians even have a clue what to look for.
It' almost all overtime, so no biggie. But it'll be going towards a new radio as my stock deck just jammed between cd's. No problems at all with return. They have a checklist that tells them what to look for. I had to laugh when the describe the intake filter and air box as round object towards front of engine bay.
This may have already been mentioned but... Have you seen this months Car & Driver? It has a full page story on someone who rented a Hertz Shelby and took it to a Syracuse car show. Not only did he win best in class over two '66 Hertz Shelby's but he also won best in show! Unfortunatly he later hit a dear in PA and had to return the car early. (I looked online to see if I could cut and paste the article but couldn't find it.)
that is a shame that a rental car beat out the original cars, as well as win best of show. how does a STOCK car do this?
The fact brand new cars can win such awards over classic originals is why I no longer go to car shows. A new car should look new. Where's the challenge or skill in having a new car look new?
