A quarter-century has now passed since Nicholas Cage starred as Randall “Memphis” Raines, a car thief who was tasked with stealing 50 vehicles in one night to save his brother’s life. Gone in 60 Seconds hit the big screen on June 5, 2000 and was the top-rank film on its opening weekend. It went on to make $237.2 million at the box office, and even today, it remains a favorite among car enthusiasts. Aside from Cage, the other star of the show was undoubtedly a silver 1967 Ford Mustang.
That Mustang’s name was Eleanor, and “she” was a 1967 Shelby GT500 in gunmetal gray with contrasting black racing stripes. Built by custom car designer Chip Foose, the Mustang stunt car was modified with a roll cage, heavy-duty harnesses, kill switches, and a special braking system. The actual hero car from the movie was sold at auction over a decade ago (and for over $1 million), but for movie-buffs on a tighter budget, Eleanor replicas are available and look convincingly like the real thing.
One of the cars that crossed the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Scottsdale last October was one such replica: Described as an “Eleanor Tribute,” the car came with accompanying certification paperwork and finished strong with a $220,000 selling price. The badging on the fenders certified its Tribute Edition lineage (documented by a company called Eleanor Licensing LLC). The car had cosmetic updates like a billet grille, auxiliary lighting, a chin spoiler, side-exit exhaust outlets, and an integrated rear spoiler to give it all of the same aesthetic flair that the movie Mustang had.
Under the hood was a 351ci Windsor V8 with aluminum heads, an Edelbrock intake, and ceramic-coated headers. A TREMEC five-speed manual transmission and a Ford nine-inch rear end channeled power to the rear wheels, and grip came a set of Toyo tires wrapped around Halibrand-style 17-inch wheels. A set of Wilwood disc brakes were added for an element of safety and sure-footedness. On the interior, AutoMeter “Phantom” gauges gave insight into vehicle vitals, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a center console, and a modern audio system gave the cabin some creature comforts.
Click above to watch on the AutoHunter Cinema YouTube channel!
If you were a fan of the original Steve McQueen version of Gone in 60 Seconds, or the Nicholas Cage follow-up that came a couple of decades later, you will love checking out the short video on AutoHunter’s YouTube channel with an up-close-and-personal look at this special Shelby GT500.
Stay tuned for a lot more action as we ramp up for the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction taking place between January 18 and 26. Tickets are available for purchase at the AXS online box office. Included on this year’s docket are hundreds of specialty cars being sold at no reserve.
Don’t forget your checkbook in case a special car catches your eye (and your heart!).
Source: www.classiccars.com