Fascination with Eleanor ?

RobAMerc

Hi all,

Can someone please explain what the fascination with the "Eleanor" Shelby GT500 ?
I mean other than its appearance in the film "Gone in Sixty Seconds", why do so many people go weak at the knees like its a proper icon. It ain't no 250 GTO now is it ?
I'm open to correction here lads but in my opinion it was invented as a mythical great in order to appeal to the Yank audience as a true icon would have much less appeal or relevance to them.

what's the consensus ?

rob

Max_Damage

The bodykit on it looked daft IMO.

That and it was a crap film aswell.

carchaeologist

Because she's a sexy bitch!!!:D

PaulK_CCI

I prefer the real deal ....

1968 Shelby GT500 Fastback

Max_Damage

^ As do I.

stoneill

Because it's better looking than my current car.

Big Nasty

• Muscle / Pony cars are iconic.
• Most muscle cars will attract as much attention as any Ferrari / Lambo.
• The Mustang is the most well known car in that class.
• The fastback Mustang is the best looking and most desireable Mustang.
• The Mustang GT350, GT500, BOSS 302 & 427 are the most desireable Fastbacks.

These cars should make any enthusiast go week at the knees IMO!

• The 'Eleanor' Mustang was based on a GT500
• The 'Eleanor' Mustang was made popular by a movie, as were most Muscle / Pony cars.
• Gone In 60 Seconds (II) realised a new generation of enthusiasts.
• An original GT500 in good nic could set you back $200k
• An 'Eleanor' recreation (based on a regular Fastback) will provide the looks with modern running gear and driveability and can be built for half the cost of an original.

What's it's 'special' appeal? It provides the looks and presence of a 60's Muscle Car along with modifications to give it a more modern appeal and style.

Oh yeah, and Angelina Jolie is HOT!

Max_Damage

1960's America. When petrol cost about 20 ¢ a gallon!

I grew up in the wrong era.

RobAMerc

MCMLXXV wrote: »

These cars should make any enthusiast go week at the knees IMO!

Should they ? really ? I'm vaguely interested in muscle cars but I have to admit I'd appreciate a 2CV as much as a muscle car - I'm much more about the engineered ability of the cars for their time than a bit of cool styling and a huge lump under the hood. Give me an Alfa Gulia on the Stelvio pass over a Camero and Sunset strip any day.

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Oh yeah, and Angelina Jolie is HOT!

I concede sir, you are most correct on this point.

spooky donkey

I think the appearence of a car in well known media makes a car popular. Look at the white sub marine Lotus Espri in that Rogor moore film. I cant remember the name of the movie but I do remember the car....

A 68-70 shelby GT500 is the car I would like to own over all others.... and I hate that gone in 60s movie.

68deville

I would love to know how many 1967/68 fastbacks have been butchered
to make the replicas? aint a huge fan of em and would have an unmodified
fastback anyday! im sure a fair few replica fastbacks just have the kit
bolted on and none of the preformance/handling upgrades?

Redrocket

I prefer to think about cars I can afford

Dades

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

I prefer the real deal ....

1968 Shelby GT500 Fastback

Nice big proper high profile tyres.

Bing bong - cleanup in aisle three...

Big Nasty

RobAMerc wrote: »

Should they ? really ? I'm vaguely interested in muscle cars but I have to admit I'd appreciate a 2CV as much as a muscle car - I'm much more about the engineered ability of the cars for their time than a bit of cool styling and a huge lump under the hood. Give me an Alfa Gulia on the Stelvio pass over a Camero and Sunset strip any day.

You missed the IMO bit, as in In My Opinion!

RobAMerc wrote: »

I concede sir, you are most correct on this point.

Damn Straight!

PaulK_CCI

MCMLXXV wrote: »

• An original GT500 in good nic could set you back $200k

'mine's' for sale for 92,500 . It's here in Holland, and I know of another genuine Shelby GT500 in light blue metallic, in near showroom condition, also currently in Holland for 132k

(... do the banks still lend money for solid investments )

Max_Damage

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

'mine's' for sale for 92,500 . It's here in Holland, and I know of another genuine Shelby GT500 in light blue metallic, in near showroom condition, also currently in Holland for 132k

(... do the banks still lend money for solid investments )

Oh man, if only I had the money...

Big Nasty

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

'mine's' for sale for 92,500 . It's here in Holland, and I know of another genuine Shelby GT500 in light blue metallic, in near showroom condition, also currently in Holland for 132k

(... do the banks still lend money for solid investments )

$200k ain't too far off €132k is it?

Anyhow, pics of both please!

L-M

I love that 500, thankfully they didn't use actually 500's in the film though! That's not to say it wouldn't be bettered by the likes of a 250 Gto, but it would give it a good run in my books!

zero19

I always preferred the 350's personally, but i wouldn't say no to a 500

PaulK_CCI

MCMLXXV wrote: »

$200k ain't too far off €132k is it?

Missed the 'dollar' sign, although 92k is still quite a bit off $200k

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Anyhow, pics of both please!

Eh, did you miss my linky ? http://www.classiccarsireland.eu/autos_detail.asp?ID=487

Pics of the other GT 500: this one's a 67, with a 428cj and 4 sp manual. This guy also has a genuine Hertz GT350 and white GT350:

RobAMerc

Nice car Paul_CCI but it does nothing for me, sorry. to each there own I guess.

On another note has one of these ever been seen to go around a corner ?