The Ford Mustang has appeared in numerous movies, most notably the legendary Steve McQueen film "Bullitt" and the Seventies cult classic "Gone in 60 Seconds". When legendary film producer Jerry Bruckheimer re-made "Gone in 60 Seconds" in 2000, the film's makers decided to replace the original 'Eleanor' - a 1971 Mach 1 - with a customised Shelby Mustang. Indeed, 'Eleanor' was the real star of the film, a dressed-to-kill '67 Shelby GT500 with bodywork styled by hot rod designer and illustrator Steve Stanford and mocked-up by legendary rod builder Chip Foose. With fibreglass front end, bonnet, flared guards, side skirts (incorporating side pipes) and boot lid, the Mustang took on a hungry, mean look ready for the 21st Century. Other details included Schmidt 7-inch alloy wheels on Goodyear P245/40ZR17 Eagle tyres and lowered suspension, plus PIAA driving lights. No less than eleven examples of the Shelby were built for the movie, including a sectioned car for close-ups with star Nicolas Cage. Since then, the 'Eleanor' replica business has flourished, with various companies offering kits to transform any '67 Mustang into a movie star. These vary in both quality and execution, from cars that look the part but remain stock underneath through to some heavily reworked and seriously quick street machines.
A very well executed Eleanor replica, finished in the eye-catching black and gold colour scheme reminiscent of the Shelbys used by the Hertz rental company in 1966, the car has been highly modified to provide performance to match the aggressive appearance. The chassis has an Eccentric Eliminator kit, a negative wedge camber correction kit, Shelby-style A-arm relocation kit and front sway bar, competition drop springs, KYB gas adjustable shocks, rear sway bar and drop rear springs. Lots of improvements have been made with safety in mind, including a brand new 16-gallon fuel tank and sending unit, new fuel lines and disc brakes all round. The engine is a fully balanced and blueprinted Cleveland 351-cid V8 with four bolt main and 4V heads, Crane roller rockers and lifters and 11:1 compression ratio. The gearbox is a Tremec TKO500 five-speed with 3.70 Torque Lock posi and Mag Dog racing clutch. Everything under the bonnet has been uprated to suit, including the big block radiator, dual electric fan/shroud, High Torque mini starter, Holley chrome high volume fuel pump and much more. Externally, the Mustang really looks the part with a fibreglass Eleanor kit, Eleanor 17-inch wheels, billet-style grille treatment, new Cobra filler cap and all new headlight, turn signal and tail light assemblies. The cabin really complements the exterior, with a Sport Deck fold-down rear seat, centre console, brushed aluminium dash and door panel kit and a LaCarrera steering wheel. The interior has new carpets, dash pad, upholstery, headliner, sills, rubbers, seat belts and visors. The air conditioning unit has a new compressors, hoses and exchanger and the heater blower replaced. Ready to be registered and hit the roads, the Eleanor is a stunning looking vehicle that will be guaranteed to turn heads anywhere it goes. To be sold unregistered, the vehicle comes supplied with a blue slip and relevant import documents.
Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.
