The most storied rental car program in history is back this summer for its 50th anniversary: Hertz's "Rent-a-Racer" Shelby GT-H.

Landing at select Hertz airport locations in 17 cities in ArizonaCaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisMichiganNevadaNorth CarolinaTennesseeTexas, and Washington, the latest program follows up on the now-legendary 1966 Rent-a-Racers.

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Back then, Shelby American and Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] supplied Hertz with GT350s painted black and gold and rented them out to customers who, let's be honest, generally abused them. The remaining GT350-H cars have mostly been restored and are worth big bucks in the collector car market.

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The program returned 40 years later and now again in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary. This time around, the GT-H is based on the standard Mustang GT with a Ford Racing Handling Pack that includes a special suspension setup, a performance exhaust, and 19-inch alloy wheels. A Shelby vented hood, carbon fiber front splitter, and a rear spoiler are included, as are the expected gold Le Mans stripes and numbered Shelby badge.

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The cars can be reserved as part of Hertz's Adrenaline Collection.

We don't normally recommend buying a former rental car, but what has become an annual partnership between Hertz and Ford is worth making an exception. Mecum will sell some of the cars off at its auction during Monterey Car Week this August.