Way back in 1966, Carroll Shelby partnered with rental car company Hertz Corporation for a special promotion. Hertz would order 1,000 Shelby GT350 vehicles and make them available for rent. These special edition cars featured black paint with gold stripes and GT350H badging. The campaign was advertised as “Rent-a-Racer” and was very successful.

The popularity of the original program has endured over the years, and has resulted in Hertz doing a number of re-boots and similar offerings featuring newer Shelby Mustangs, the Chevrolet Corvette, and most recently, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Hertz revived the Rent-A-Racer program in 2006, 2007, and 2016 with customized Mustang vehicles available for rent at select locations throughout the United States. Hertz also partnered with Chevrolet to produce a special “Hertz edition” Corvette ZHZ in 2008, 2009, and 2018.
2020 saw the debut of the first ever Hertz edition Camaro. These vehicles, developed in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, take the “Rent-A-Racer” concept to a whole new level. A total of 224 units were built, with two versions. One model based on the Camaro SS is equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 engine and produces 480 horsepower. The other version is based on the Camaro ZL1 and features a Callaway supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 750 horsepower! Both cars wear yellow stripes over gloss black paint.
One of these special Hendrick Motorsports #24 / Hertz / Camaro ZL1 models was recently offered for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale 2022 auction. The 650-horsepower Camaro ZL1 is an excellent starting platform to build a special car.

The Camaro’s stock supercharger was upgraded to a Callaway Gen3 supercharger with triple-cooled intercooler, boosting power output to 750 horsepower. To make room for the new supercharger, a hand-built carbon fiber hood insert was designed and manufactured by Hendrick Motorsports. The car is production number #012 according to a data plate under the hood.

Additional modifications include a Hertz / Hendrick Motorsports graphics package with the Hendrick Motorsports #24 logo, Forgeline wheels with #24 center caps over Hertz yellow painted brake calipers. Continuing the theme, the car features Hertz Yellow door inserts, lighted door sills with the Hertz logo, William Byron’s signature and the #24 logo, as well as #24 floor mats.
The car sold for $104,500 (including buyer’s premium) at the 2022 Scottsdale auction and shows just 6,600 miles on the odometer. That’s dangerously close to COPO Camaro money, for a car that can actually be registered and driven on the street. Although six figures sounds like a lot for a Camaro, I think it is warranted given the limited edition nature of the Hertz/Hendrick ZL1 and the low production volume. The car is also remarkably low mileage for a rental. I wish the new owner all the best with their new Hertz ZL1 Camaro! This is definitely a Special Edition car to be cherished and enjoyed, preferably on back roads with a heavy right foot!