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Just utter the name, Eleanor, among a group of car enthusiasts and every single person will know exactly who you are referring to. A movie brought her stardom and thus the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 became as legendary as the man who originally designed her. Eleanor is a muscle car that needs no grand introduction. She is an icon in the automotive world, known for her raw power, sleek design, and unbeatable performance. Any fan of the 2000 film “Gone in 60 Seconds,” will attest to how desired a Shelby GT500 can be.   Orlando GT500

Fast Facts: The Rise of an Icon

-The original 1974 Gone in Seconds was a box office hit, grossing $40 million on a budget of $150 thousand. The action film was written, directed, and produced by its star H.B. Halicki.

 -The Jerry Bruckheimer produced remake was released in 2000 starring Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Christopher Eccleston, Robert Duvall and Vinnie Jones. It was a commercial success, grossing almost a quarter of a billion dollars at the box office.

 -In the 2000 version of the film, Nicolas Cage’s character, Randall “Memphis” Raines, a retired master car thief, must steal fifty specific cars in one night to save his brother’s life. All the cars are named after females including the GT500 nicknamed Eleanor.

 Before we dive into the specifics of this 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Tribute, let’s take a brief step back to explore the history of the Shelby GT500. First introduced in 1967, the Shelby GT500 was an upgraded version of the Mustang. The car was a collaboration between Ford and Carroll Shelby, a former racecar driver turned legendary car designer (for those new to the automotive world). Together they created an unmatched synergy of power, speed, and distinctive body lines.

 Under the hood, the 1967 Shelby GT500 roared to life from a 428 cubic inch V8 engine that produced a monstrous 360 horsepower. This was an impressive feat at the time, and it set the standard for what a high-performance car could be.

 The 428 Police Interceptor with a single four-barrel carburetor wasn’t the only thing that made the Shelby GT500 stand out. The exterior upgrades set it apart from the standard Mustang and made it an instant head-turner. This included a custom hood, front grille, and side scoops, as well as a rear spoiler that was designed to improve the car’s aerodynamics. The distinctive exterior made the GT500 look just as brute as the power under its hood.

 Over the years, the Shelby GT500 underwent several updates and changes, each one adding to the car’s legacy. Even with the multiple revamps, it wasn’t until the release of the film “Gone in 60 Seconds” in 2000 that the Shelby GT500 became a true icon. In fact, Eleanor is the only Ford Mustang to ever receive star title credits in a film. She outperformed the warm-blooded leads in one of the most thrilling car chase scenes in cinematic history. Since memorizing movie goers, the Shelby GT500 has been synonymous with speed, power, and ultimate style.

 In the original “Gone In 60 Seconds”, Eleanor was a yellow customized 1971 Ford Mustang SportsRoof. It wasn’t until the 2000 remake that Eleanor was transformed into the goddess we presently lust after. Hot Rod Illustrator Steve Stanford dreamt her to life and custom car designer and living legend Chip Foose made her a reality. I don’t know about you but the very first time I saw her Pepper Grey Metallic coat gleaming from the big screen, she became painted on my heart (wink, wink). 

 Since movie goers, like me, fell under Eleanor’s spell, demand for clones has always been high. Which is quite ironic since she herself is a GT500 tribute. That’s correct, Eleanor started life as 1967 Mustang Fastback that was enhanced with a customized body kit and styling to resemble a Shelby GT500. Denice Halicki, the original 1974 movie’s creator’s widow, has been strict with intellectual property rights, preventing unlicensed Eleanor(s) from being made. There have been two officially licensed, limited volume production runs. All others that resemble her, are considered tributes…of apparently a tribute (funny, right?).

 Well with that fun fact in mind, let’s turn our attention to the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Tribute available in our Orlando showroom. This lovely lady cloaked in Silver resembles Eleanor close enough to make any car enthusiast’s heart race. Buy her and you can feel just like Nicolas Cage’s Memphis Raines minus the lock picking and hot wiring of course.

 Turn her key and this Tribute’s 460 Cubic Inch V8 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection roars to life, ready to take on whatever the road throws at you whether it be a car chase or car cruise. Either way, you’ll outrun the competition, look amazing doing it and give everyone who sees you a neck ache from their head turning so quick to catch a glimpse.

 But it’s not just about the engine. This lovely lady has all the exterior features that made the original Eleanor so iconic. The custom body kit includes a sleek hood, aggressive front grille, center fog lights and rear spoiler guaranteed to make people look twice. And of course, this Tribute has the classic black racing stripes that run down the center of the car, giving her that unmistakable Shelby look.

 Driving this gorgeous GT500 Tribute will be an experience unlike any other. She is incredibly responsive, with lightning-fast acceleration and precise handling. She may be Eleanor’s long-lost sister, but this gal is enough to make you feel like you’ll be gone in almost….60 seconds.

 If you would like to learn more about this 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Tribute, please contact our team in the Orlando showroom. If you happen to not be a fan of Silver Metallic, don’t worry, our Philadelphia showroom has you covered with a beauty in black, click here to view.  Philly GT500

Gateway Classic Cars sells and consigns hundreds of vehicles each month. Do you have a classic car for sale with a story to tell?   We’d love to hear about it, please email us at news@gatewayclassiccars.com to share it.

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