The name “Eleanor” carries significant weight within vintage Mustang circles, originating from H.B Toby Haliki’s 1974 film “Gone in 60 Seconds” before being reimagined in the 2000 remake starring Nicholas Cage.
Since the remake’s success, there has been considerable debate and misinformation surrounding what constitutes a “true Eleanor” Mustang. Nonetheless, the film’s popularity spurred aftermarket specialists to customize and rebuild 1967/68 Mustangs to resemble the iconic film car.
Interestingly, the original “Eleanor” was a restyled 1971 Mustang Fastback, sporting a pale yellow hue. However, for the Nicholas Cage movie, a Pepper Gray 1967 Mustang was chosen, depicted as a Shelby GT500 and featuring a bespoke body kit. Subsequent replicas, often referred to as Eleanor-style Mustangs or tribute cars, have followed suit.
One such example is a 1967 Mustang Fastback modified by Unique Performance in the mid-2000s as a Shelby GT500E Super Snake. Originally finished in Candyapple Red, it underwent a transformation, now adorned in silver with black racing stripes.
Boasting a plethora of features including a domed hood, billet grilles, flared arches, and GT500E badging, this Super Snake also received substantial mechanical upgrades such as a 427 ci V8 engine with a Vortech V-2 supercharger, Tremec TKO five-speed manual gearbox, and Baer cross-drilled disc brakes.
Despite being offered $165,000 at auction recently, the seller refused to part ways with this remarkable piece of automotive history, underscoring its enduring allure and value in the eyes of enthusiasts.