In addition to the iconic Shelbys, Camaros, and Corvettes, Hertz has rented out hot hatches and full-on supercars to its customers over the years. Now, with potential bankruptcy reportedly looming over the rental agency, we're starting to see some more of its special cars trickle onto used car sales sites.
Here are the best of the best cars Hertz has rented out over the years.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray "Ski Car"
 |
|
© Barrett-Jackson
|
In the early Sixties, Hertz purchased a handful of split-window Corvette Stingrays to rent to affluent skiers in Denver, Colorado. They were equipped with 327 cubic-inch V-8 engines, two-speed automatic transmissions, ski racks, and snow tires when they were new. Fewer than 10 exist, and the one you see here
sold at Barrett-Jackson for $132,000 last year.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 H (1966)
 |
|
© Darin Schnabel ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
|
In the mid-Sixties, Carroll Shelby struck a deal with the Hertz rental company to build 1000 Hertz-edition GT350s. The move was a clever way to get potential Shelby buyers to test drive his cars, driving more customers to his customization business. Most were painted in the black and gold livery you see here, but some made it out of the factory in red, blue, green, or white.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 H (2006)
 |
|
© RM Auctions
|
Shelby and Hertz decided to bring back the legendary GT350 H nameplate for the original car's 40th anniversary by offering a new version based on a then-modern Mustang. Only 500 were built, each with a 325-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 under the hood.
Ford Mustang Shelby Shelby GT350 H (2016)
 |
|
© Shelby
|
The GT350 H name was brought back for a third time in 2016 at the New York International Auto Show. Based on the pre-facelift version of the modern Mustang, it got a unique body kit and a 5.0-liter V-8 from the GT. Just 140 units were built, all for use in the Hertz fleet.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Hertz Edition
 |
|
© Hertz
|
The Corvette Stingray Hertz Edition popped up at rental facilities soon after the car was introduced in 2014. Based on the standard Stingray, it had mostly cosmetic upgrades, including a bright yellow paint job and yellow brake calipers.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 100th Anniversary Edition
 |
|
© Hertz
|
In 2018, Hertz introduced a 650-horsepower Corvette Z06 into its fleet to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Just 100 examples were built, and now, the cars are finally coming up for sale on Hertz's used fleet website.
Chevrolet Corvette ZHZ
 |
|
© Barrett-Jackson
|
The ZHZ was a limited-edition C6 Corvette built by GM for Hertz fleets, sporting the rental company's signature black and yellow color scheme and special badging. It got the Z51 performance package as standard, as well as Magnetic Selective Ride Control and a 436-horsepower LS3 V-8 engine.
Hendricks Motorsports-Modified Camaros
 |
|
© Hertz
|
In 2019, Hertz introduced a pair of Camaros modified by the Hendricks Motorsports NASCAR team to its lineup: a ZL1 making 750 horsepower, and an SS making 480 horsepower. Think 750 horsepower is a lot for a rental? So do we, but we're certainly not against it.
Ford Focus and Fiesta ST-H
 |
|
© Hertz
|
Hertz introduced special edition versions of the Focus and Fiesta ST hot hatches to its European fleets back in 2014, optioned with Recaro seats and a sweet black and gold paint job inspired by the original GT350 H. Sadly, because both cars only came with manual transmissions, they never made it to Hertz's U.S. lineup.
Hertz Penske Ford Mustang GT
 |
|
© todo: intro slide credit
|
Shelby hasn't been the only tuner to build Mustangs for Hertz. Penske did it in 2013 with an S197-generation V-8 Mustang. Just 150 units were built, all equipped with Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and $4500 worth of Ford Performance parts. All of them were automatic save for the first 10 built, which were sticks. They were used for executive loans and press fleets.
McLaren MP4-12C
 |
|
© McLaren
|
In 2012, Hertz introduced McLaren's first modern supercar, the MP4-12C, into its European lineup. Rates started at £1134.30 (that's $1807.07 in 2012 exchange money) for a single day in mid-week. Worth it? Maybe.
Ferrari F12berlinetta
 |
|
© "Wolfango Spaccarelli and Ferrari S.p.A"
|
Hertz expanded its European exotics range in 2013 to include a few more heavy hitters, one of which was the Ferrari F12berlinetta. Packing a 731-horsepower naturally aspirated V-12 under the hood, it's one of the crazier rentals we've ever seen on offer.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
 |
|
© Mercedes-Benz
|
The SLS AMG was another car introduced into Hertz's Europe exotics range a few years back. Those gullwing doors are perfect for making an entrance. That 6.2-liter V-8 under the hood probably didn't hurt either.
Lamborghini Gallardo
 |
|
© Lamborghini
|
The Gallardo—Lamborghini's V-10 entry-level supercar, and predecessor to the Huracán—was one of several cars introduced into Hertz's "Dream Cars" fleet in select cities across America in 2013.
Ferrari F430 Spider
 |
|
© Ferrari
|
The F430 Spider was another car introduced into Hertz's Dream Cars lineup a few years back. Between it, the Gallardo, and a host of other desirable performance cars, there was always something fun to choose from.
Nissan GT-R
 |
|
© Nissan
|
The GT-R is the most exotic car currently available in Hertz's Dream Cars fleet. With 565 horsepower coming from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6, it's one of the quickest cars you can currently rent from the company.
Lotus Evora
 |
|
© Lotus
|
Back when the Evora was a new car, Hertz decided to introduce it into its Italian rental fleet. That program has since expanded to France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, according to Hertz's site.
Lotus Elise & Exige
 |
|
© Hertz
|
A bunch of supercharged Elises and Exiges joined the Hertz fleet in Italy around the same time as the Evora as part of the "Fun Collection." Sounds like whoever curated the fleet in Italy about a decade ago had good taste.
