Have You Heard Abut the Eleanor Mustang?

A love affair with a classic car can last a lifetime and beyond. And, if you are a classics-lover, there is a finite hierarchy of the best of the best, with everyone having their own opinion about what order and why. We tend to rate car movies, drivers, actors, and cars in this way. Plus, certain things about each classic will inspire us and make you feel giddy, like a kid waiting for presents on Christmas. There is Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, the Dukes of Hazard Charger, or even Kitt on Knight Rider, and Eleanor. If you know her, you know her, but do you? Have you heard all the facts, figures, and myths surrounding this coveted beast? Whether you have or you haven’t, there are certain things that might be surprising or might be just what you expected. Still, either way, Eleanor is the stuff car dreams are made from, and there are a few things you may or may not even know about this modified Mustang or the original film she gets her starring movie credit in.

The Original “Gone in 60 Seconds”

Many of us have probably seen the thrilling 2000 movie with Nicolas Cage and Angelia Jolie, but have you seen the original from which this film was remade? Because it is epically cool. In 1974 the original movie was released with little fanfare, written, directed, and starring the same man, H.B. “Toby” Halicki. He was little known then and almost as obscure now unless you understand Eleanor.

Eleanor is immortalized in this film in one of the greatest car chase scenes that have ever been recorded, all done with a single Mustang and few effects. In the original, the Mustang was not a fastback, but a Mach 1 Mustang, modified with paint and a few aftermarket body panels to give Eleanor a sleek, fast look, perfect for the heist film.

Halicki was all set to star in a sequel to the 1974 film that was never released. In fact, it was never even finished. While filming, Halicki was involved in a freak accident when a water tower fell, snapping a power line and killing him instantly. It was 1989. This remains relevant even now as Halickis’s wife, Denise, still owns the copyright and trademarks associated with Eleanor.

Jerry Bruckheimer and Eleanor’s Rebirth

Denise Halicki granted the rights to use Eleanor in the remake of the original “Gone in 60 Seconds” to Jerry Bruckheimer and the Eleanor that we know today was born. The movie starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie was a hit with car lovers, and an entire market for Mustangs was reborn as Eleanor-styled cars came to life.

The Eleanor You Know

The current idea of what an Eleanor Mustang is supposed to be is based on the remake of the classic movie. This is the GT500 customized to be a pristine speed machine. When first recreating the Eleanor, the team working with Bruckheimer went to Shelby American and was given permission to upgrade to meet the Shelby specifications. Nearly 800 horsepower later from a 427 CID V-8 the Eleanor emerged. It is officially known as a Classics Recreations Shelby Gt500 900S and she is a beauty.

Painted in a pepper grey metallic known as the color Dupont 44438, there is a reason why an Eleanor is a coveted classic that draws upon the automotive innovation that Carroll Shelby put into every car he made or customized. It makes use of the body of a 1967 or 1968 fastback that is converted with custom-designed body panels and upgraded suspension and brakes, among the many other options that you can find available.

The Visionaries

The idea of what Eleanor is now was a concept first created by Steve Sanford, a prolific car artist and the man who penned the design and the way that Eleanor looks. His visionary drawing was taken by Chip Foose who built the car into a legend and an icon. Making this beauty the only vehicle to have ever received a star credit in a feature-length film. And as seen by their wild popularity, these two achieved something iconic.

Not All Converted Cars are True Eleanor Cars

Now, while we all may want one, there are only a few companies that can build you an authentic Eleanor Mustang. Classic Restorations is one such place. They have partnered with and received the correct permissions from Mrs. Halieki to be able to offer VIN-matching customized GT500s that come with a certificate of authenticity.

The authenticity of the car you get will also depend on whether you purchase the full customized job, done for you and ready to drive, or if you do it yourself, or you can even purchase a kit with all the panels and pieces you need to make your ride a star. It is also of note that while you may be able to purchase a licensed replica, there are only actually three of the so-called “Hero” Eleanors, which are the originals that were built for the Bruckheimer production.

Overall Specs and Cost

A “Hero” Eleanor sold for right around $1 million. A hefty price for a hefty car, with huge horsepower and iconic movie car status. If you don’t have a cool million, you can find other licensed replicas starting around $219,000 and heading upwards of $350,000. There is after all a great deal of work that goes into customizing an already iconic classic Mustang.

There are now a dozen ways to optimize your Eleanor, but the original specs put it at around 1,000 horsepower, a padded Shelby roll bar, Simpson five-point harnesses, and Carroll Shelby’s signature, right across the front seat. This is, after all, a car he would have been everything that Shelby was after in a car with raw performance and style. A true testament to the power of a great idea followed by a great partnership.

Halicki may be gone, but his ideas are still alive and well. The sounds, smell, and effort put out by a single man with a vision are a testament to the power of belief. His legacy lives through his cars and that epic chase scene in “Gone in 60 Seconds.” And Eleanor is a legacy to be proud of.