Okay, so, let’s talk about that movie, “Gone in 60 Seconds.” You know, the one with Nicolas Cage? Yeah, that flick. But we’re not here to chat about Cage’s acting. We’re here for the real star: that gorgeous 1967 Shelby GT500, nicknamed “Eleanor.” Man, that car is a beauty.
I’ve always been a huge fan of classic muscle cars, and Eleanor? She’s the queen. So, I decided, you know what? I’m going to get a look-alike car of Eleanor! It might sound crazy, but I was committed.
First things first, I had to do some digging. I started hitting up forums, reading old articles, and basically, become a bit of a Mustang nerd. Turns out, this wasn’t just any Mustang. It was a Shelby Mustang GT500. Carroll Shelby, a legendary car designer, took regular Mustangs and turned them into these awesome performance beasts back in the ’60s.
I spent hours looking up information about the ’67 Shelby GT500. And there were many Shelby American performance cars around America, it turns out that Eleanor was a customized 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. She’s not your average muscle car – she’s got a unique look, a powerful engine, and a whole lot of attitude.
- Finding the Base Car:
- This was a challenge. 1967 Mustangs, let alone those in decent shape, aren’t exactly growing on trees. I looked through local listings, online auctions, and even got in touch with a few classic car dealers.
- The Customization:
- This is where things got interesting. Eleanor isn’t just a stock GT500. She’s been modified. I had to find the right parts, the right body kit, and the right paint to match the movie car. I went to a few body shops to get a feel for the cost and the time involved.
- The Engine:
- The engine is the heart of any muscle car. I had to decide whether to rebuild an original engine or get a new one. It was a tough call.
After weeks of looking and planning, I finally found a 1967 Mustang that would be my starting point. It wasn’t perfect, but it had potential. I ended up driving a few hours out to some small town to pick it up. The owner, a retired mechanic, was sad to see it go, but happy it was going to someone who’d appreciate it.
Then the real work began. I started with the bodywork. I managed to find a body shop that had experience with classic cars. They helped me source the parts to give it that Eleanor look. We’re talking about new fenders, a new hood, that iconic grille, and those signature side pipes. It was a slow process, but seeing it come together was amazing.
Next up was the paint. Eleanor has that distinctive pepper gray metallic color with the black stripes. We had to mix the paint just right to get that perfect match. I think we ended up doing like five test panels before we got it spot on. But it was worth it. The car was starting to look like the real deal.
The engine was another big piece of the puzzle. I ended up going with a rebuilt engine, but I upgraded a few parts to give it some extra kick. We’re talking a new carburetor, a better intake manifold, and a few other tweaks. Nothing too crazy, but enough to make it roar.
Finally, after months of work, and honestly, a lot more money than I initially planned, the car was finished. Taking it out for that first drive was incredible. It felt like I was in the movie, except, you know, I wasn’t stealing cars. And it turns out this was a long and expensive project, but it is one of a kind, and to me, it was worth it.
It’s not just a car anymore. It’s a project I poured my heart and soul into. And yeah, it might not be the original Eleanor, but it’s my Eleanor. And that’s pretty darn cool.
