The original Eleanor

[Ghoste]

I was watching the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" last night and for all the hype given the Mustang used in the newer version, there never seems to be much of a cult following for the 73 Mustang used in the first film.
I know it wasn't anything special but since I know a lot of Furd fans it kind of puzzled me.  Googling it this morning didn't turn up any info either although I did determine that it still exists and apparently turned up the set of the Jolie/Cage version of the film. 
Has anyone on here seen the car in person since it seems to be used for exhibitions?  Does anyone here know where it is?
Just wondering is all.

[ChgrSteve67]

I have not seen it in person.

Have seen a few interviews of the widow talking about the film and the car.

Here is a thread with some interesting info about it.
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_4972-Ford-Mustang-1971.html

[Ghoste]

Thanks Steve, so from the sounds of it then, Halicki's widow still owns the car.

[Mike DC]

She's still got it, and it still even runs.


Yes, it really was ONE car for all that stuff.  (Although they wrenched on it like hell between days on the set.)

The car was apparently a 1971 Mach 1 that Toby redressed as a '73.  He tore off the whole outer skin (including the roof & quarter skins) and put an elaborate rollcage underneath before rehanging a skin back onto it.  Sorta like what was done on the recent "Dukes" movie 2nd-unit stunt cars.   

--------------------------------------------


I'd love to build a driveable replica of that thing.  Start with a rustbucket and it wouldn't even cost much. 

 

[tan top]

at the end of the second gone in 60 seconds , there is a 5 minute clip of it doing doughnuts & stuff ..as it is today or when the second was made 

[dads_69]

I have a copy of the org. movie. I do plan to build a clone to the car myself someday. I recently just bought a '72 Mach 1 project but sold it to buy another Lightning. I located another Mach 1 oddly enough here, so maybe I'll build a clone sooner then later afterall.

Mark

[Finn]

I saw a smashed up version at the Peterson Museum a long time ago. Dunno if it was a clone or the real deal. It sure looked like the one in those pictures. I was more excited to see the new version.

[TruckDriver]

I own the original Gone In 60 Seconds, and the movie Junkman that H.B. Halicki made.

I remember either reading this or seeing it somewhere (so this is what I remember), but...

A lot of people think that it was a real Mach 1. The truth is, it sort of was. The guy who did the movie owned a lot of auto wreaking yards too, and that is where not only the Mustang and Challenger came from, it was where he got all of the cars he wrecked. The original Eleanor was a real Mach 1 that had sevear rear end damage when he got it. He took another Fastback that was hit in the front, and made one car out of it. Yes, his widow still owns the car, and yes it still drives. And yes, it was thee only stunt car he used.

Here's a good link on the movie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gone_in_60_Seconds_(1974_film)

[Mike DC]

   

I saw a smashed up version at the Peterson Museum a long time ago. Dunno if it was a clone or the real deal. It sure looked like the one in those pictures. I was more excited to see the new version. Roll Eyes

The Petersen museum had the real thing on display a few years ago.     




I've never seen a clone of the 1973 car in bashed-up form.  Not one. 

 

[b5blue]

Wallymarts got the DVD for 5 bucks...in it there is tons of extras...my son got it for me  I trained him well!! P.S. it's in the big box full of DVD's go get one!

[dukeboy320]

the directors widow owns the car its trashed but its still around

[b5blue]

Yup the whole story is in the DVD...5 bucks...can't go wrong...help a widow out too! (everything ya want to know....5 bucks)

[Ghoste]

Well then, I'm going to search the bargain bins tomorrow morning.

[b5blue]

 

[tan top]

watched is again also last night    was on the look out for the 3 second generations again   

[hotrod98]

H.B. put the wrecked car on a trailer and parked it outside of some of the theatres as advertisement to get people to want to see the movie. It was really thrashed. I'm thinking that at some point they repaired it just enough to make it actually drive.
When the movie was first released, I watched it three times the first week.

[moparstuart]

H.B. put the wrecked car on a trailer and parked it outside of some of the theatres as advertisement to get people to want to see the movie. It was really thrashed. I'm thinking that at some point they repaired it just enough to make it actually drive.
When the movie was first released, I watched it three times the first week.

dude was a low budget genius

[ChgrSteve67]

dude was a low budget genius

You have to remember H.B. did not get any permits or pay for insurance (or the many other things) movie makers have to pay for when making a movie today.

He did all of that on the streets with the rest of the public present.
If that movie was made today like it was made back then H.B. would get locked up and the key thrown away.
Not that this was the only movie ever made that falls into this catagory.

Also with the way movie theaters and distribution companys operate I don't know that it would even get released on DVD let along make it into the theaters.
His wife tells stories about him going out and sending out thugs to collect the money the theaters brough in that he felt was owed to him.
Definately a different era.