Perhaps no other Mustang has been replicated as much as the “Eleanor” from the “Gone in 60 Seconds,” the 1967 Shelby GT500 becoming an instant classic thanks to the movie’s famous car chase scene. Officially licensed versions sell well into the six figures, so we were wondering what this real version – one of eleven built and just three surviving – would go for at Mecum’s Original Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis, IN. While we expected a hefty sum, weren’t prepared for the final hammer price – an even $1 million.
For comparison, another genuine Eleanor Mustang was sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2009 for a “mere” $216,700. Granted, this example is the “Hero Car” used in the movie poster and promotional materials and is undoubtedly in the best condition, but we didn’t expect it to break the seven figure mark. Amazingly, it wasn’t even the highest priced Mustang at the auction with the one-off 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake selling for $1.3 million.
You can read the full vehicle description and see a photo gallery of the car below.
Fans of the Touchstone Pictures 2000 remake of the 1974 cult movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” will recognize this as the original Eleanor, the modified 1967 Ford Mustang piloted by retired master car thief Memphis Raines, played by Nicholas Cage. Several cars were built to handle various duties during the filming of Gone, but this is serial number 7R02C179710, the “Hero” car driven by Cage during filming and used in movie close-ups, posters and promotional materials, in the process launching a whole new trend in Resto Modding. Built by Cinema Vehicle Services (CVS), the design of the car is a work of art, literally. Well-known hot rod designer Steve Stanford sketched out the original concept drawing for the car before the vehicle was brought to life by CVS. The builders were able to mock up Eleanor’s body pieces on a Mustang using clay and wood. Molds were then made to produce a new fiberglass front end filled with high-powered PIAA driving lights, new fender flares, side skirts and scoops, hood and trunk lid. The front suspension was replaced with a lowered and reinforced coilover spring arrangement with power rack and pinion steering; 4-wheel disc brakes were installed and Goodyear Eagle F1 tires mounted on Schmidt 8×17-inch Cobra-style wheels. To give the car big-screen performance, it was treated to a 351/400 HP Ford crate engine, which shares room under the modified hood with a front subframe body brace by Total Control Products, LLC. This progenitor of the Eleanor revolution is relatively untouched inside with the exception of an Autometer Sport Comp Monster tach, fire extinguisher, Go-Baby-Go shift knob button for Line Lock and a switch for activating a nitrous injection system. Being offered directly from the original builder Cinema Vehicle Services, this is the car that jumpstarted the Eleanor resto modding craze.
