1966 Ford Mustang Fastback 'Hertz'

On sale here is a fully restored 1966 225hp V8 Mustang Fastback which has been restored to a very high standard and has been turned into a stunning reflection of the famous Shelby Hertz Rent-A-Racer. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Built in Ford’s Metuchen plant in New Jersey, our car rolled off the production line on 15th October. It was then shipped to Kentucky and sold through a Ford main dealer in Louisville. It spent its life locally until 2017 when an English gent called Michael purchased the car and shipped it over to the UK.

He had owned an original Shelby GT350 in his youth and hankered after another one. Already turned into a Hertz replica, Michael was not entirely happy with the car’s performance, so he had the engine completely rebuilt and bored and stroked from 289 to 348. A five-speed gearbox and competition clutch were also fitted.

You will also note the car comes with a cherished private number plate, ‘SHM 66D’, which of course stands for Shelby Hertz Mustang, built in ’66.

After much time and expense, Michael only drove the car for a few hundred miles, old age making the car a bit of a challenge for him to drive.

The car then passed into the hands of The Mustang Workshop in Hook, Hampshire. They are the leading Mustang specialists, carrying out servicing, upgrades and concours restorations on all eras of Mustang. They had carried out the work on the car for Michael so knew the car well.

Our seller acquired the Mustang around a year ago and it was his intention that this was to be a long-term ownership. However, his head was turned by another Hertz Mustang, this one emanating from Australia and converted to right-hand drive. Much as he would like to be two Mustang owner, it is not practical, so one has to go.

We cannot tell you when the Mustang’s metamorphosis into a Shelby Hertz replica took place or when the restoration was carried out. What we can tell you is that the work was done to a high standard. We suspect it would take a real Mustang aficionado to tell that this was not the real deal.

The black paintwork positively gleams, though there are a few areas that we should mention. There are some stone chips here and there and the lip below the front bumper looks to be a little out of shape.

The keen eye may also spot a little rippled paint on the bonnet where it joins the scuttle and there are a couple of blemishes above the rainwater gutter over the passenger door. And one more blemish on the nearside rear wing, close to the boot lid.

You will not that Mustang has the operational Shelby side scoops, bonnet pins and bonnet air scoop.

The car is fitted with American Torque Thrust wheels, each with a premium Dunlop Performa tyre. These look almost new and have plenty of tread.

Chromework, and there’s plenty of it, all looks to be in fine fettle and has clearly been looked after. Stock up on chrome cleaner, we say.

The Mustang’s interior is in excellent condition, the black seats almost unmarked. Period racing lap belts in the front are fitted.

Ahead of the driver is what we believe to be an original wood-grained Shelby steering wheel, a delight to hold. Five round gauges are fitted to the dash, with an additional rev counter perched atop in the driver’s eyeline. Shelby’s signature adorns the dash, lest you ever forget the great man’s association with this car.

The headlining and black carpets are all in good order. Boot is a decent size, ideal for plenty of luggage on a fast-charging weekend away.

You sit low in the Mustang, and it is hard not to be excited when that muscular V8 engine fires up. Push down on the clutch, a little heavy as it’s a competition version, grab the iconic white gear knob and slot into first. What a sound, what a drive. Exciting today, but can you just imagine way back in 1966?

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s underside and that is certainly the case here. Pause a while a take a look in our gallery. Other than a little road dirt, we are truly impressed by the condition. Lots of lovely new parts are easy to spot and there is barely a hint of any surface corrosion to be spotted anywhere. We imagine the car has only been driven on high days and holidays when the sun shone since its restoration.

Lift the bonnet and gaze in awe. That rebuilt engine sits proud, and you’ll spot the Holly four-barrel carburettor. There are also Shelby correct pieces like the brace bar, Cobra rocker covers and badging.

As previously mentioned, the engine has been upgraded:

• Complete rebuild

• Bored and stroked from 289 to 348

• Performance camshaft

• Five speed gearbox

• Competition clutch

Accompanying the car are a raft of receipts from The Mustang Warehouse, dating from 2017. The car’s importer and owner clearly wanted to make sure all was perfect, and he got them to attend to a multitude of small jobs, as well of course as making the car road legal for use in the UK. Lighting was the main issue which needed to be addressed here.

Other works of note included replacing a cracked rear floor pan, fitting the Holley carburettor, flushing the cooling system, fitting a Petronix electronic ignition system… the list goes on. We like perfectionists.

Our seller has had little to do other than enjoy the car, which he most certainly has done. He did install a new battery around 9 months ago and had the car MoTed in January, dealing with the few advisory issues that cropped up.

This stunning Mustang, a lovely reflection of the world-famous Shelby Hertz Rent-A-Racer, is not for the shy and retiring. Eye-catching looks, and a soundtrack loud enough to awaken the dead will see to that.

However, this Mustang is a real driver’s car, with a surfeit of power which will ensure thrills aplenty from behind the wheel.

All this loveliness does come at a price, and we are of the opinion that the car will sell for between £30,000 and £40,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.