Just as the magic of the “Bullitt” Mustang spoke to certain generations, the 1967 Ford Mustang featured in the Touchstone Pictures 2000 film “Gone in 60 Seconds” connected with a whole new group of enthusiasts, ushering in a tidal wave of newfound passion for cinema and the iconic cars of the silver screen. With such momentum, this ultra-hot hero car, driven by actor Nicholas Cage, had little trouble being gone in not quite 60 seconds when it crossed the Indianapolis auction block in 2013 and hammered for a final sale price of $1 million dollars. Several other vehicles were created for the film’s production, but this was indeed the primary beauty car that was used for Cage’s close-ups and all of the movie’s promotional efforts. Known simply as “Eleanor,” the car’s moniker arose as a movie plot ploy introduced by Cage’s character, Randall Raines, who leads a team of car thieves on a mad run to boost 50 high-end luxury vehicles to pay a debt that his younger brother incurred during a botched job for a local gangster. While staking out their master list of required rides, the crew assigns each a female name to mask their true intent and their radio communications. The 1967 Mustang, with loads of inspiration from the Shelby GT500, is on the list and, in Raines’ eyes, the crown jewel of the lot. It’s his unicorn, his object of desire and the one car the lead detective on the case knows to stake out to catch him red handed. Raines makes the heist but not before police give chase, leading to the film’s climatic ending that includes a death- (and gravity-) defying jump on a bridge with mere minutes to spare before his hard and costly deadline. While both “Eleanor” and Raines’ character were fictional, the burning lust felt by muscle car enthusiasts among the viewing audience was and still is as real as desire gets. Cinema Vehicle Services created the marvelous look, modeling it after the 1967 Shelby GT500 but making several notable changes and updates. Elements they added included fender flares, side skirts, induction scoops, upgraded lighting and a new fiberglass front end. The vehicles also received upgrades like a lowered suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, Schmidt Cobra-style 8x17 wheels wrapped with Goodyear F1 tires and a 351 CI V-8 engine. For paint, a subtle and sexy Pepper Gray Metallic was chosen, highlighted by black stripes. Once the cars were done and camera ready, it was easy to see how Raines, along with countless fans, could be so smitten with the rolling stallion. Looks this good should be illegal, but since they’re not, the opportunity to own this piece of movie history was met with intense bidding and a seven-figure final price. FAST FACTS Sold Where Sold for Sold When Lot # Nicknamed Driven by Body Style VIN Paint Interior Engine Transmission Indianapolis, Indiana $1,000,000 May 2013 S135 PRODUCTION SPECS Eleanor Nicholas Cage Fastback 7R02C179719 Pepper Gray Metallic Black 351 CI V-8 4-speed manual RARITY FIGURES Hero Car for the film’s production
