How The 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Eleanor Became A Hollywood Hero (2024)

There have been many automobiles over the years that have earned iconic status, thanks to Hollywood. Cars have become ingrained into the psyche of audiences; so that when you spot one on the road, you instantly think of that particular motion picture. Bond and his DB5. Bullitt with his Mustang Fastback. And thanks to Nicolas Cage’s ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’, the 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500, known as ‘Eleanor’ is now up there with the greats.

For brief context, the 2000 action thriller sees Memphis Raines (played by Cage) and his crew – all of whom have diverse skills in the art of boosting cars – having to steal 50 cars within 24 hours. If not, Raines’ younger brother will meet his end. The final car chosen to boost was a 1967 Shelby GT 500, nicknamed ‘Eleanor’. It’s a gorgeous and stunning piece of muscle car engineering and has garnered a cult following among enthusiasts. So much so that we thought it was best to explore why the classic muscle car is now a Hollywood hero.

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The ‘Eleanor’ Mustang Had Huge Power And Charisma

What’s clear from the outset is that the ‘Eleanor’ GT 500 is a textbook classic muscle car, through and through. Its naturally aspirated 5.7 liter V8 engine produced 400 hp, churning out a chunky 377 ft-lbs of torque. This, naturally, was mated to a four-manual transmission. No slow, dim-witted automatic gearboxes would do for such a powerful machine. And the cherry on top was that the power was fed to the rear wheels, just as it should be on a true muscle car.

‘Eleanor’ was fast, and it was a gearhead's car in the way it delivered its power. But for a car to be iconic, it had to have a standout feature. Not only did the muscle car have the looks (which we’ll get onto shortly), the sound of its glorious V8 block was the definition of iconic. It was loud, aggressive, and almost violent in the way it sounded. But the benefit of this was that it made a dramatic impact on anyone who heard it, especially in the movie.

Why Is The 1967 Mustang Called ‘Eleanor’?

So, ‘Eleanor’ matched the perfect design recipe for an iconic muscle car. But what cemented its place in Hollywood history was the film itself. Using the Shelby GT500 in ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ made up for the film’s negative critical reception by having it be a main star, a supporting character in the story that looked incredible on camera thanks to its aggressive design.

During the flick, Memphis takes his crew to scout the final car to boost. As they arrive, they spot the ’67 Shelby GT 500 parked in an underground lot among common commuter cars. There, it is revealed to be nicknamed ‘Eleanor’, partly to avoid suspicion on police radios when discussing the stolen cars, but also because of the history the main character has with the car itself. A car Memphis failed to boost before, his personal 'unicorn'. The film hints at the car’s subtle rage and aggressive driving experience, and it just adds to the cool factor.

Then came the main event: a huge third-act car chase where Memphis, at the wheel of ‘Eleanor’, attempts to outrun the police and deliver the final car on time. It’s a truly epic chase scene, constantly elevating tension and stakes. The stunts pulled off with the GT 500 are also incredible to witness, from speeding to drifting to nitrous boosting and ramp jumping. The pursuit marked ‘Eleanor’ as one of the most iconic cars in Hollywood history.

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A Classic And Appreciating Shelby GT500 Mustang

Part of what makes ‘Eleanor’ so iconic is also its originality and uniqueness. As only 11 vehicles were conceived by designer Chip Foose for the film (and equipped by Cinema Vehicle Services for the car chase itself), its rarity brings a specialty to the muscle car. No other Shelby looks the same way, with the custom fastback body kit and extended flared fenders giving off an effortlessly cool yet intimidating aura. The car’s styling is poster material and a must-have for many Mustang enthusiasts.

The car’s exclusive design is so desirable; in fact, the value of the ‘Eleanor’ Mustangs has increased dramatically over the years. One of the original 11 models made for the production famously sold for $1.3 million, which is equivalent to most exotic classic European sports cars. A ’67 ‘Eleanor’ Tribute sold at auction on Collecting Cars for over $140,000 recently, with other past replicas reaching as high as $300,000 in sale value; a truly staggering number considering these were merely copies, not originals from the film.

What’s clear is that the ‘Eleanor’ Mustang is a true Hollywood hero. It is an iconic car of cinema that has transcended the screen and embedded itself into people’s automotive wish lists. It has the fundamental characteristics of a true muscle car whilst maintaining an exclusivity that has made it an appreciating asset that people yearn for. Not many cars have achieved this, but the ‘Eleanor’ GT 500 is one that will remain a legend of both cinema and the automotive world for a long time.