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1971 Ford Mustang Sportsroof (modified as 1973) [63D]

1971 Ford Mustang [63D] in Gone in 60 Seconds, Movie, 1974 IMDB

Class: Cars, Coupé — Model origin: US

1971 Ford Mustang Sportsroof (modified as 1973) [63D]

Position 00:52:19 [*][*][*][*][*] The vehicle is part of the movie

Comments about this vehicle

AuthorMessage

antp BE

2004-10-11 21:15

The main car of the movie. Amongst the other cars, they have to steal one of this model.
Each time they achieve that, they have problems.

1st one, there was someone in it:
[Image: gi60s001210c32.738.jpg] [Image: gi60s001341c57.3631.jpg]

2nd one, the owner chases them, who is himself chased by the cops, so they go put it back discretely
[Image: gi60s001905c27.6690.jpg] [Image: gi60s002156c07.1880.jpg]

3rd one, the owner asks to return the car because it was not insured (and they only steal cars which were insured)
[Image: gi60s002557c08.7392.jpg] [Image: gi60s004858c02.7631.jpg] [Image: gi60s004957c39.4461.jpg]

4th one, the cops were waiting... so this starts a very long chase
[Image: gi60s005215c57.7919.jpg] [Image: gi60s005218c02.7407.jpg] [Image: gi60s005319c46.5729.jpg] [Image: gi60s005328c30.1270.jpg] [Image: gi60s005337c48.1028.jpg] [Image: gi60s005339c59.8374.jpg] [Image: gi60s005428c13.3569.jpg] [Image: gi60s005428c16.3826.jpg] [Image: gi60s005511c02.9721.jpg] [Image: gi60s005633c49.3810.jpg] [Image: gi60s005639c59.9743.jpg] [Image: gi60s010449c16.7079.jpg] [Image: gi60s011123c56.8141.jpg] [Image: gi60s011129c08.5315.jpg] [Image: gi60s011232c59.6150.jpg] [Image: gi60s012912c11.8655.jpg]

It ends at a carwash (see /vehicle_5765-BMW-1800-1964.html) where the destroyed car is exchanged for a brand new one:
[Image: gi60s013012c28.5089.jpg]

-- Last edit: 2011-04-14 17:09:48

aa

2005-05-14 21:34

en fait cela n'a jamais été une mustang mach one 1973 mais bel et bien une fastback 1971....(pare choc avant et arriere, rien ne dit que c'est une mach one te en plus c'est marque sur le site officile du site) etonnant non ?

http://www.halicki.com/elenor.htm

“ Eleanor” Is a 1971 Fastback Ford Mustang played the role of a 1973 Mach 1 Ford Mustang, a true lady both beautiful and tough and is the "Star" of Gone in 60 Seconds. Eleanor is the only Ford Mustang in history to receive Star title credit in a movie…making “Eleanor” a household name.

antp BE

2005-05-15 20:08

Tiens c'est marrant ça

nillle

2005-10-01 12:56

aa> the only thing about this car that is 1973 is the grille.

-- Last edit: 2005-10-01 12:58:36

vorgon

2005-12-14 06:06

1973 only

antp BE

2005-12-14 09:39

I guess that we can believe the "1971" of the official site :??:

bullitt390

2006-01-21 21:37

this is in fact a 1973 mustang with a 351c. however the movie makers wanted people to believe it was a 1971 mach 1. the money put into movies at that time wasnt near what it is today and i guess the couldnt find or couldnt afford a real 71 mach 1.

antp BE

2006-01-21 21:45

The official site says it is a normal 1971 Mustang used as if it was a 1973 Mustang Mach 1

-- Last edit: 2006-01-21 21:46:16

Junkman UK

2006-03-03 12:59

But it is in fact a 73 Mustang, wheels and everything. It also has the 73 Mustang appearance package, which is significantly different from 71. I cannot spot a single 71 part on this car.

antp BE

2006-03-03 13:01

Strange that the official site does not know what car was used :??:

carfan US

2006-06-28 03:28

This car sure can take a beating in this movie!

trucker US

2006-07-03 01:34

Eleanor and Billy make a good couple don't they?

-- Last edit: 2006-07-03 01:34:29

lightfoot1976 AU

2006-09-19 17:59

junkman wrote But it is in fact a 73 Mustang, wheels and everything. It also has the 73 Mustang appearance package, which is significantly different from 71. I cannot spot a single 71 part on this car.


why would a car made to look like a 73 have 71 parts on it. isnt that the point.

no1Uno US

2007-03-09 03:16

'71-'73 had the same body (though this is a '73)

Skid US

2007-03-31 01:00

For the last bloody time: Eleanor was a 1971 Mustang fastback turned into a 1973 clone. Listing it as a 1973 is fine, since that's what it's supposed to be in the film, but the stunt car was built from a 1971 model, period.

nubby US

2007-06-02 22:18

That Mustang got the crap beaten out of it! It still kept going after it took out that light pole! :D

-- Last edit: 2007-06-20 00:16:06

marioman3138 AU

2007-06-10 07:32

It's 1973! this car rocks

Area 51 US

2007-06-24 04:25

it's a 1973 Ford mustang mach 1, it's a '73 because the main character says " the last of the mustangs, or something like that, also the mention it quite a lot in the movie

antp BE

2007-06-24 22:58

They often give wrong years in movie dialogues

Skid US

2007-07-04 21:19

Area 51 wrote it's a 1973 Ford mustang mach 1, it's a '73 because the main character says " the last of the mustangs, or something like that, also the mention it quite a lot in the movie


1971 Mustang cloned to look like a 1973. Is meant to be a 1973 Mustang in the script, however the car used is a 1971 model.

Please read before you post.

MrTaft AU

2007-09-23 17:45

Why are you people going off what the official site says? Halicki died in 1989 and it is run by his widow and people who had nothing to do with the film, so they would have no idea what they're talking about (not to say they're wrong, but it's not basis for conclusive fact).

Skid US

2007-09-23 18:14

Do you have anything closer to an official source?

The only evidence for this being a 1973 is the way it looks. Then again, if it's a 1971 MODIFIED TO LOOK LIKE a 1973, then OF COURSE it would look like a 1973.

According to the wikipedia entry on Eleanor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_(1973_Ford_Mustang) , a 1971 was used as a stunt car, and a real 1973 was used for some beauty shots, most notably for the car wash and final escape. This makes sense, since he wanted to save money by using the oldest cars in each bodystyle he could. This is also why he redressed 1970 Dodge Challengers to look like '72-'74s.

Above all else, keep in mind the stunt car STILL EXISTS and has been displayed at the Peterson Automotive musuem in Los Angeles. Considering Denise Halicki's role in preserving and displaying the car, I think she knows what year it is.

no1Uno US

2007-10-16 03:15

But she calls it a '73

Q-Ball JP

2007-11-17 17:26

The front panel up to the door belongs to a 1973 but the rest is 1971 material.

marioman3138 AU

2007-11-21 09:48

On the offical movie car box it says '1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1'

Skid US

2008-01-11 22:18

no1Uno wrote But she calls it a '73


She runs the official site, which says it's a '71 cloned into a '73. The car is usually casually referred to as a 1973 Mustang, since that's what it's supposed to be in the script. That's why I said earlier that the car could be concievably listed as a 1973, since that's what it's supposed to be, but you can't argue that the car doing all the wrecking and crashing was anything but a 1971 car with 1973 front sheet metal.

Well, you *could* argue against that, but only if you go completely against the scant amount of proof that's already out there.

jettalover US

2008-01-12 04:11

I doubt a new car today could keep going after taking out that pole. Not even a new pickup with steel bumpers.

rjluna2 US

2008-01-12 04:23

jettalover wrote I doubt a new car today could keep going after taking out that pole. Not even a new pickup with steel bumpers.

They repaired the car to make it runnable when Toby recovered in between production.

Cycolac Fan EN

2008-02-21 22:09

The car also used a massively reinforced body and chassis and a NASCAR spec rollcage, and as previously stated, was repaired between takes.

MaindrianPace US

2008-06-17 18:05

[Image: 10863609gal1gm3.7996.jpg] [Image: cargoneinsixty1mi0.6782.jpg]

They actually used two Eleanors which are modified Mach 1's, one for beauty shots, and one for stunts. They both modified high-proformance 351 Clevelands secretly done by Halicki himself.

Eleanor is a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (modified as a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1).

-- Last edit: 2008-06-21 18:15:24

mr.hollwoodcar AU

2008-07-21 03:27

I LOVE that mustang :love:

mr.hollwoodcar AU

2008-08-15 15:09

Skid wrote For the last bloody time: Eleanor was a 1971 Mustang fastback turned into a 1973 clone. Listing it as a 1973 is fine, since that's what it's supposed to be in the film, but the stunt car was built from a 1971 model, period.

:mad: Eleanor is a 1973 Yellow Ford Mustang with a black hood NOT!!!!!! 1971

rubber ducky EN

2008-08-15 15:50

this car is still about and is in running order

Ray B. FR

2008-08-15 18:07

mr.hollwoodcar wrote
:mad: Eleanor is a 1973 Yellow Ford Mustang with a black hood NOT!!!!!! 1971

Wow! This war has been going on for more than 3 years !!!

MrTaft AU

2008-08-31 06:57

I recently rewatched the bonus material that comes with the original DVD release and in an interview with Lee Iaccoa (the man who created the Mustang), he says it is a 1973 model and Denice Halicki, who is conducting the interview, does not correct him. Furthermore, in the documentary on Halicki's life which is a bonus on the "Deadline Auto Theft" DVD, Denice herself refers to Eleanor as a 1973 model.

tony US

2008-09-18 21:35

It looks like a 73 grill. but the front bumper looks like 71-72. the 73 bumpers are bigger than 71-72s also the hood is wrong for a mach 1.....maybe its an early 73. before the bigger bumpers became available

Skid US

2008-09-24 21:59

MrTaft wrote I recently rewatched the bonus material that comes with the original DVD release and in an interview with Lee Iaccoa (the man who created the Mustang), he says it is a 1973 model and Denice Halicki, who is conducting the interview, does not correct him. Furthermore, in the documentary on Halicki's life which is a bonus on the "Deadline Auto Theft" DVD, Denice herself refers to Eleanor as a 1973 model.


That's because Eleanor is SUPPOSED to be a 1973...but the stunt car was built from a 1971. Hence, 1971 Mustang modified as 1973, as it says at the top. In short, Eleanor as a "character" is a 1973 Mustang, but the car used was not.

It seems like no matter how many times this is pointed out, some new user (not necessarily you) always comes in
and says something simplistic like "But it's a 1973! I know this, because it has a 1973 grille!", apparently not understanding what "modifed as a 1973" means.

It's on the official website, run by Denise Halicki herself. Why argue what's already been established?

D.R.T.72 US

2008-09-28 17:59

Skid 1st rule of life STUPIDITY OVER RULES REASON AT ALL TIMES no matter how many times you tell them it's a 71' modified to a look like a 73' it just doesn't sink in

MaindrianPace US

2008-10-15 19:00

I that both Eleanors are actually built from 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1's. Ford Mustangs from 71 through 73 had the same body expect the 1973 grill is actually different compare to the 1971 through 1972 grill on the Mach 1's. I recommed that you post it as a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (modified as 1973). Eleanor used in the beauty shots actually had double whitewall tires, Eleanor used in the stunts actually had Goodyear White lettered racing tires, and both Eleanor actually had dog dish often called baby moon hubcaps.

-- Last edit: 2008-10-15 21:45:42

rubber ducky EN

2008-10-19 19:19

whats it matter if its a 71 or 73 mustang all thats matters its a great car and a great film

MaindrianPace US

2008-10-31 16:49

I sugguest that you take a good look at the warehouse picture, and take a look at Eleanors bumper that how you can tell that Eleanor is a 1971 model. Eleanor actually has a regular hood not the usual NASA hood, I know that most of the Mach 1's have NASA hoods with hood locks, and other Mach 1's have regular hoods with hood pins. Eleanor is actually Mach 1 without the decals my guess is that Halicki took the Mach 1 decals off her of factory Grabber Yellow paint job, and painted the rear end flat black. The 1971 through 1972 Mach 1 models had a special gas cap finally by 1973 all Mustang models have a pony gas cap. All three years have included 1971 through 1973 Mach 1 models having black hoods. I request that post it as a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (modified as 1973).

-- Last edit: 2008-10-31 19:54:56

jwramc

2008-11-01 22:34

Something to consider when trying to figure this out is budget. Halicki got the vehicles for the film from his own junkyard. As the film was released in 1974, it's quite early for a '73 Mustang to be in his junkyard. A '71 is three times as old, and it's worth that much less by 1974. Also, note the chosen paint scheme. The black lower body is a feature on the 1971 cars, not the 1973s. Logically, it's the best financial route to take the junked 1971 cars, slap 1973 grilles in them, and just call it a 1973. The black tail panel and missing 'Mach 1' decals were probably done in case Ford objected to the Mustang appearing in the film, or in case they'd want money for the use of the names...or merely to avoid buying replacement decals when the car got damaged during filming- a simple paint scheme with no decals is easier/cheaper to fix. And sticking with the black lower body of the 1971s meant less paint work to start out with. The 71/72 fuel cap also helps narrow things down. Lastly, the grille is just a few screws worth of effort to switch, so its not at all crazy to think it got switched simply to make the car seem like a newer model, making the film look that it had that much more budget.

Skid US

2008-11-02 01:04

MaindrianPace wrote [Image: cargoneinsixty1mi0.6782.jpg]


I think the secret to figuring out if it's a real Mach 1 or not might lie with the interior trim. The two-spoke steering wheel looks a bit sedate for a Mach 1...all the '71 Machs I've ever seen had three spoke wheels. Then again, then all the '71 Machs I've seen also had the NACA-ducted hood, too, and you were correct to point out that it was optional. The same could be said for the steering wheel, too.

Anybody know?

rjluna2 US

2008-11-02 01:36

Rear end detail at /vehicle_75802-Dodge-Charger-1968.html .

Rear end detail at /vehicle_5816-MG-1100-ADO16-1963.html .

-- Last edit: 2008-11-02 01:39:14

jwramc

2008-11-06 05:14

Regarding the hoods- Halicki was a businessman...in the auto wrecking business. He'd be smart to have removed the scooped hoods (if the cars had them) and sell them to off, and slap flat hoods on the cars cuz they are more common (on base models) and therefore expendable. The steering wheel is the 'standard' piece for mach 1s, while 3-spoke was indeed optional.

MaindrianPace US

2009-01-01 03:14

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us [Image: eleanor21ew5.9649.jpg]

The 15 inch seventy series wide tires, and dog dish hubcaps were standard on Mach 1's, but the ford factory magnum 500 rally wheels were optional. The Basic Mach 1 or Mustang motor is a 302 Windsor. The standard Mach 1 motor is a 351 Windsor, 351 Cleveland or Boss 351 with 335 horsepower. The optional Mach 1 motors were 429 Cobra Jet with 370 horsepower or 429 Super Cobra Jet with 375 horsepower for 1971. The standard Mach 1 dashboard has a speeddometer and tracdometer with three high proformance guages in the middle of a woodgrain dash above the air condition and the AM/FM radio with 8 track, and the clock below. The standard transmission is a three speed automatic FMX Selective Shift Cruise O'Matic. The optional transmission is four speed manual with a chrome hurst shifter. The standard steering wheel is a regular steering wheel. The optional steering wheel is a woodgrain rim blown three spoke steering wheel. The basic Mustangs have chrome side mirrors, front and rear chrome bumpers, and a basic grill with the pony in the corell, and no tailights in the grill. The standard Mach 1's have matching body colored sport mirrors, one body colored front bumper, and one chrome rear bumper, and a special grill with the pony without it's corell, and tailights built into the grill.

The stunt Eleanor actually gets smashed up in the 40 minute chase scene, but the Boss 351 Cleveland motor is still good, and it still runs. Eleanor is actually a real Mach 1, but the car has a three speed automatic transmission, AM/FM radio with 8 track, and the clock below, also body colored sport mirrors, and a Mach 1 dashboard with a body colored front bumper, and chrome rear bumper, with a special grill with the pony without's it's corell, and tailights built into the grill. Eleanor is actually is standard Mach 1, I request that you repost it as 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (modified as 1973 Eleanor).



-- Last edit: 2009-01-04 02:04:55

mustangllb64 US

2009-02-18 04:29

To solve this war once and for all, someone needs to go to where this vehicle is housed, if it is on display, and verify the VIN serial number. Easy to do, it will be on the drivers side, under the windshield, on the dash. First digit will determine the year. 1 = 1971. 2 = 1972. 3 = 1973. Also 3rd and 4th digits for a Mach 1 should be 05. Standard fastback will be 02. 5th digit will determine engine size.

The car also appears to have a 73 grille but a 71 front bumper.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=17500&c=146
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=20969&c=150
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=15411&c=151

Boss 351's have 4sp top-loaders backing them up, no automatics. Not to say that someone couldn't have pulled a Boss 351 engine and put it in there.

Skid US

2009-03-09 00:09

The engine was never proclaimed to be a "Boss 351," as far as I know. Every source I've ever seen simply said that it was a 351 Cleveland (the standard Mach 1 engine during this time) that had a few modifications.

Gator US

2009-12-21 01:55

junkman wrote But it is in fact a 73 Mustang, wheels and everything. It also has the 73 Mustang appearance package, which is significantly different from 71. I cannot spot a single 71 part on this car.

It has a 71 front bumper, and 71 front lower valance.

MaindrianPace US

2010-03-06 00:43

[Image: insideeleanor.th.png]

According to Denice Halicki on the Speed Channel Eleanor is actually a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (modified as 1973) to fit Toby because of the dashboard, and grill.

-- Last edit: 2010-11-26 08:04:41

1baker11 US

2011-05-29 06:33

The only way anyone is to know for exact sure what year the stunt car was is to read the vin code off it in the museum that its in.

DigitalLuke64DD EN

2011-06-29 20:59

jwrAMC wrote Regarding the hoods- Halicki was a businessman...in the auto wrecking business. He'd be smart to have removed the scooped hoods (if the cars had them) and sell them to off, and slap flat hoods on the cars cuz they are more common (on base models) and therefore expendable. The steering wheel is the 'standard' piece for mach 1s, while 3-spoke was indeed optional.


Er...how? He steals the car, drives a few feet, the alarm starts blaring, he disables it and the cop starts to chase him. There was no point he could stop and replace the hood. And why would he bring a gigantic hood on a boost when you'd want to keep a low profile, and waste time putting it on? Just to make a bit extra money?

Skid US

2011-07-01 03:54

He's talking about H.B. Halicki, the filmmaker and star who made the movie, not Maindrian Pace, the character. Halicki prepped all of the cars that are used in the film.

Venomous Mink US

2011-07-20 17:58

gator wrote
It has a 71 front bumper, and 71 front lower valance.


Correct, gator. The rear bumper is also consistent with a '71. Whether the rims were standard for '71 Mach 1's is beyond me however, I know for a fact that they were an option for the year, as seen in Diamonds are Forever. As for the grill, it could have been replaced or the fog lights could have been turned ninety degrees. Either way, my vote stands firmly: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

tony US

2011-10-05 04:04

Why Mach 1? no scooped hood and no stripes. it might have been a Mach 1 at one time but it's not dressed as one in the movie.
......but it does have a mach 1 style honey comb rear panel & pop open gas cap......Hmmm?
also the blackout on the bottom could be correct for a 71-72 mach 1. but not for 73

-- Last edit: 2012-06-11 03:02:28

tony US

2011-10-05 04:18

MaindrianPace wrote
The 15 inch seventy series wide tires, and dog dish hubcaps were standard on Mach 1's, but the ford factory magnum 500 rally wheels were optional.

mach 1s had 14 inch wheels......only Boss 351 had 15 in wheels with 60 series tires. This car has 15 inch wheels.


-- Last edit: 2016-02-01 19:32:59

Gator US

2011-12-03 06:17

I forget where I read it but someone was saying that there was no way her motor was a boss 351 because it was backed by an automatic (they all had 4 spds). But I really think it was. If someone could post a screen shot of the scene right before Halicki drives through the road closed barricade after the bridge there is a shot of the pedals on the floor. This shot is in the smashed up stunt car. A few things stand out at me. If you look carefully there is no carpet only the floor and then there is no center console. Next notice the brake pedal. It has the very small pad but no clutch pedal. The mustang was probably bout by Halicki with a tore up 4 speed and he simply put an automatic in her. But that’s just a guess. I also found this, look at the steering wheel in the side photo. http://www.swaqvalley.com/Blueprints/1971_Ford_Mustang_Boss_351.jpg

tony US

2011-12-05 15:16

..... Only about 1800 Boss 351's were ever made, so what are the chances this was one of them. someone should check the vin. 1971 R code would be a Boss '72 R code would be 351 HO.....no R code for 73.

Venomous Mink US

2011-12-21 15:06

You bring up a very good point. I've only seen the sport mirrors and color keyed front bumper on Mach 1's, but this car was an antique when I was born, so I haven't seen very many.

Gator US

2011-12-23 07:36

one good way to find out mach 1 or boss or regular mustang would be to look at the rear shocks. from what I can tell it doesent have the staggared shock option. so it isnt a performance model. looking at it now. Im thinking a standard 71 mustang. standard black interior with fold down back seat. 351 windsor small block with a three speed manual transmission. For whatever reason Halicki swaped front buckets with the other Eleanor which had the deluxe interior package.

maxman CA

2012-04-04 06:32

I just love it when wannabe Ford boys claim to know what Eleanor is.

Eleanor was a '71 Mach 1, with the 351 Cleavland. If you don't know this, you don't know cars.

tony US

2012-04-17 23:25

maxman wrote I just love it when wannabe Ford boys claim to know what Eleanor is.

Eleanor was a '71 Mach 1, with the 351 Cleavland. If you don't know this, you don't know cars.

what makes it a Mach 1 to you? No mach 1 hood, wrong paint for a 73 mach 1... A mach 1 hood back in 1974 wasn't worth saving, so why take it off? to save a few bucks.....after all the nice cars that where wrecked in this movie.....I doubt it. The car was probably a combination of 71-73 parts to make a car look good enough to steal. I agree with it having a 351 cleveland.......351 windsors where only used before 1970 in mustangs.

-- Last edit: 2012-04-17 23:44:38

tony US

2012-04-17 23:40

junkman wrote But it is in fact a 73 Mustang, wheels and everything. It also has the 73 Mustang appearance package, which is significantly different from 71. I cannot spot a single 71 part on this car.
The black out paint on the sides is 71-72, not 73. the front bumper is not a 73, It is also 71-72 style

-- Last edit: 2012-06-11 02:57:15

maxman CA

2012-04-30 05:30

tony wrote
what makes it a Mach 1 to you? No mach 1 hood, wrong paint for a 73 mach 1... A mach 1 hood back in 1974 wasn't worth saving, so why take it off? to save a few bucks.....after all the nice cars that where wrecked in this movie.....I doubt it. The car was probably a combination of 71-73 parts to make a car look good enough to steal. I agree with it having a 351 cleveland.......351 windsors where only used before 1970 in mustangs.


The grille is '73, the rest is '71.

Remember, this is Toby Halicki. Putting newer parts on older models was a trademark for him.

The Mach 1 hood had to be optioned, as was the three spoke steering wheel. Many Mach 1s had the standard hood and two spoke wheel. The paint job is irrelevant; it was a custom scheme by Hallicki, not anything ever offered by Ford.

-- Last edit: 2016-02-25 02:24:59

V EN

2012-06-04 12:43

Hi , Ive looked at a lot of pictures of Eleanor and wondered if anyone here could tell me what colour she is. Seems yellow in some pictures, almost gold/mustard in others. As Im here in England can any of you guys in the U.S who may have more info or have been to see the car tell me please - Many thanks in anticipation

MaindrianPace US

2012-06-07 06:21

The actual standard interior:

[Image: snapshot46-6-201211-18pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot56-6-201211-21pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot46-7-20124-09pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot66-6-201211-21pm.jpg]

The actual standard deluxe sports interior, and exterior features of a Mach 1 as seen on Eleanor #2:

[Image: snapshot26-6-20126-23pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot26-7-20127-55pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot16-7-20124-06pm.jpg] [Image: snapshot56-7-20122-20pm.jpg]

-- Last edit: 2012-09-02 00:28:39 (G-MANN)

tony US

2012-09-05 02:56

I see that the interior shot shows the 3 guages in the center and what looks like a Mach 1 interior.........and also it has a pop open gas cap and honey comb trim....So here's my theory......instead of buying another Mach 1 hood to make the hero car match the stunt car they took it off and used a regular hood.

-- Last edit: 2012-09-05 03:24:35 (G-MANN)

police car fan NL

2012-09-17 16:57

this car should deserve a place in thge top 10 best movie cars

-- Last edit: 2014-03-12 20:56:29

Andre Malraux

2012-09-17 18:08

deleted comment

Ingo DE

2012-09-17 18:14

Especially not in this ugly diarrhoea-colour

police car fan NL

2012-09-19 23:45

True, the colour must be different :p

cudak888 US

2012-09-22 19:26

Specifically, by sales literature, this should be listed as a 1971 Ford Mustang Sportsroof (modified as 1973) and not a Fastback. Otherwise - so far - the documentation on this thing is correct.

Ford changed their marketing name for the Fastback design to "Sportsroof" in 1969.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2012-09-22 19:32:25

cudak888 US

2012-10-25 05:03

FYI, not that we need more confirmation of what this is, but the dual cut-out rear valence panel for the factory dual exhaust is additional proof of a pre-1973 model.

All 1973 models had turn-down exhausts (with no cutouts) due to tightening EPA noise restrictions.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2012-10-27 15:22:30

carfan2

2012-11-12 10:21

Its a 73 its says in the movie and the grille is not a 71

Game-oholic 94 US

2012-11-12 17:39

I'M GOING TO END THESE ARGUMENTS, ONCE AND FOR ALL! Everyone who say's Eleanor's a 1973 model is right. The grill's headlights are horizontal on a '71, and they're vertical on a '73 (as seen in the movie), and they keep saying 1973 throughout the whole film (mostly in the 40-minute chase scene), so, officially, ELEANOR IS A 1973 MODEL. Case closed.

antp BE

2012-11-12 18:20

Game-oholic 94 wrote I'M GOING TO END THESE ARGUMENTS, ONCE AND FOR ALL!

That does not end it, you just restart it without taking in account the previous comments...

-- Last edit: 2012-11-12 18:20:58

cudak888 US

2012-11-13 05:31

carfan2 wrote Its a 73 its says in the movie and the grille is not a 71


Game-oholic 94 wrote I'M GOING TO END THESE ARGUMENTS, ONCE AND FOR ALL! Everyone who say's Eleanor's a 1973 model is right. The grill's headlights are horizontal on a '71, and they're vertical on a '73 (as seen in the movie), and they keep saying 1973 throughout the whole film (mostly in the 40-minute chase scene), so, officially, ELEANOR IS A 1973 MODEL. Case closed.


If I were a millionaire, I'd fly both of you jokers to the closest 1973 Mustang possible - in order to see you attempt to mount a 1971/72 bumper to it and have the fender gap come out as seen in the movie. It won't, and it can't.

Hence, it's time to repeat - in Reader's Digest form - the condensed version of everything that's been covered above, in the all-new (and improved - whoopie!) version for 2012:

A. Paint job is irrelevant; it is Halicki's own scheme. Keep in mind that no '71-73 Mustang ever came from factory with a blackout standard hood (blackout was available on NACA/NASA hoods only) and the lower black trim without hockey stick stripes would have had a divider moulding (like the Diamonds are Forever '71 Mach 1) instead of the additional black tape stripe. The hood locks are also add-ons to the standard hood and their position on Halicki's cars are incorrect.

Examples:
At left, a factory-spec Mach 1 with hockey stick stripes and correct tape stripe.
At center, a factory-spec Mach 1 with no hockey stick and correct aluminum moulding.
At right, a kludged Mach 1 that originally came without hockey sticks - hence the moulding - but someone put the hockey stick stripes on later (full hood paint is also incorrect for a Mach 1; only the Boss 351 had such paint).

[Image: ct12_r183_01.jpg] [Image: 71_monecn6003-013.jpg] [Image: 1972mustangmach1.jpg]

B. Both of Halicki's cars have rear valance cutouts for the dual exhaust. The feds mandated turn-down exhausts on the '73s, which eliminated the rear valance cutouts. Example below - note how someone tried modifying the turn-down exhausts to exit through the standard valance:

[Image: 1973fordrear.jpg]

C. As seen in the above photo of the blue Mach 1, 1973's came with two bumper extensions (optional extensions on 1972 cars were placed farther inboard and were not as bulky), not present on the Halicki car. The 1973 bumper also stands away from the body of the car, and require a rubber spacer between the bumper and the body to take up this gap. These characteristics are not present on the Halicki cars.

D. Yes, the cars have 1973 grills - and you can stick a 1973 grill on the '71 and '72 with no major fitment issues. Halicki did just that.

E. The lower valance panel on a 1971/72 Mustang has a wide open gap, with two turn signals on either side. 1973 lower valance panels have no turn signals, as the larger '73 bumper covers that area up. Halicki's cars have the thinner 1971/72 urethane bumper, and the corresponding 1971/72 lower valance panel w/turn signals.

What's more, you cannot mount a 1973 bumper onto a 1971/2 Mustang without swapping the front fenders (and valance) at the same time. The bumper cutouts on the sides of '73 fenders are larger, in order to clear plastic filler pieces which fit behind the larger bumper - precisely the reason why Halicki did not go through the trouble of installing the newer bumper when updating the two prop vehicles.

1971/72 at left, 1973 at right:
[Image: 1_09_08_10_3_07_46.jpg] [Image: 1750_04_10_12_1_15_57.jpg]

Any questions? No? Good.

There will be a quiz later.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2013-03-30 05:40:59

Cycolac Fan EN

2012-11-18 00:27

Thanks for taking the time to put up all that info Kurt ^ interesting stuff.

I bet Toby would be pleased and amused to see his film (and his three heavily modified '71 Mustangs) still attracting so much attention nearly four decades on!

Cycolac Fan EN

2012-11-18 00:35

Quote
Hi , Ive looked at a lot of pictures of Eleanor and wondered if anyone here could tell me what colour she is. Seems yellow in some pictures, almost gold/mustard in others. As Im here in England can any of you guys in the U.S who may have more info or have been to see the car tell me please - Many thanks in anticipation


Definitely yellow, maybe a Mustang expert could suggest with certainty what shade, I'd put money on it being Grabber Yellow, or more likely Med Bright Yellow since I believe the latter was a '72 and '73 colour option.

Ollygt AU

2012-11-19 12:27

Why can't people understand that in so many movies you buy a cheaper/older version of the "hot car" and make it look like the hot car. You use the "real" hot car for all the pretty shots and the mocked up cheapy in the action shots where there's a chance of damaging it. So many times you can see in crashes that it's not the "hot car" but the cheapy mock up.

cudak888 US

2012-11-20 01:33

Cycolac Fan wrote Thanks for taking the time to put up all that info Kurt ^ interesting stuff.

I bet Toby would be pleased and amused to see his film (and his three heavily modified '71 Mustangs) still attracting so much attention nearly four decades on!


Glad to have done so.

I'm sure he would - and I wouldn't be surprised if he'd be making indie car chase films to this day, if he were still with us.

I thought there were only two cars used in the film - but I never confirmed it, so I won't question it. However, don't forget his 1973 (a genuine) Eleanor clone from Gone In 60 Seconds II.

Cycolac Fan wrote Definitely yellow, maybe a Mustang expert could suggest with certainty what shade, I'd put money on it being Grabber Yellow, or more likely Med Bright Yellow since I believe the latter was a '72 and '73 colour option.


If the car was repainted entirely, it wouldn't be a factory color. Nevertheless, if the black is a partial repaint over factory paint, I'd be confident that it's Medium Yellow Gold, color code "E."

Also, keep in mind that the DVD screenshots have been color graded. Granted, I have an unrestored copy of the movie on VHS wherein the colors on the car remained largely unchanged from the DVD, even though the DVD footage is a far better quality transfer from the 35mm masters.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2012-11-20 01:57:59

Game-oholic 94 US

2012-11-24 19:57

If H.B. Halicki himself was still alive today, we would just go to him and talk to him about this, so we would officialy end all of this controversy.

-- Last edit: 2012-11-24 20:10:00 (Sandie)

Sandie SX

2012-11-24 20:10

Don't quote such long messages, please.

cudak888 US

2012-11-25 03:50

Game-oholic 94 wrote If H.B. Halicki himself was still alive today, we would just go to him and talk to him about this, so we would officialy end all of this controversy.


It can be ended the next time Denise Halicki brings the car out for showing. All anyone needs to do is read the VIN tag off the dash (if it's still legible through the window).

My bet is that it's either an R02M (San Jose car, base Sportsroof, 351C 4V) or R02F (San Jose car, base Sportsroof, 302 2V) car with a Windsor dumped in it (if the claims that Halicki put a 351W in it, as opposed to a 351C, are correct).

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2012-11-25 03:51:34

Game-oholic 94 US

2012-11-27 19:33

cudak888 wrote

It can be ended the next time Denise Halicki brings the car out for showing. All anyone needs to do is read the VIN tag off the dash (if it's still legible through the window).

My bet is that it's either an R02M (San Jose car, base Sportsroof, 351C 4V) or R02F (San Jose car, base Sportsroof, 302 2V) car with a Windsor dumped in it (if the claims that Halicki put a 351W in it, as opposed to a 351C, are correct).

-Kurt

When, and where, do you think will be the next time Denice Halicki will do that?

Game-oholic 94 US

2012-11-27 19:44

aa wrote en fait cela n'a jamais été une mustang mach one 1973 mais bel et bien une fastback 1971....(pare choc avant et arriere, rien ne dit que c'est une mach one te en plus c'est marque sur le site officile du site) etonnant non ?

http://www.halicki.com/elenor.htm

“ Eleanor” Is a 1971 Fastback Ford Mustang played the role of a 1973 Mach 1 Ford Mustang, a true lady both beautiful and tough and is the "Star" of Gone in 60 Seconds. Eleanor is the only Ford Mustang in history to receive Star title credit in a movie…making “Eleanor” a household name.


2 things:
1) Not the only "Mustang." The one and only car EVER to receive star title credit. No other car in history has received any.
2) Okay, okay. The movie website says it's a 1971 model, so I'll say that it's a '71.

cudak888 US

2012-11-28 04:45

Game-oholic 94 wrote
When, and where, do you think will be the next time Denice Halicki will do that?


I wish I knew. I'm not on the West Coast, so I'd be less likely to know when there will be a theater showing where the car will make an appearance.

You might wish to send them an email and ask if there are any scheduled showings for this December - can't think of a better place to get some PR information than the source itself: http://www.gonein60seconds.com/

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2013-04-01 04:02:10

Spike Morelli US

2012-12-02 09:50

The car used as "Eleanor" throughout the movie, ( except for the closing scenes after the car wash ), is, indeed a 1971. I know this because I OWN A 1971 Mach 1,I have been driving it everyday since '90 ( 22 years now ). I am also a mechanic, who formerly worked at a Mustang only specialty restoration shop in Van Nuys, California, for a number of years, and I am very familiar with the subtle differences between the very similar '71-'72s, and the slightly different '73 model, though they basically share the same sheet metal, save for their valances.
I also, had my Mach used in a movie, to be released, called "Bounty Killer", where it plays a starring role.
My car is the same color as "Eleanor", and is a factory color called "medium yellow-gold". ( I tried to post a few photos of it, but it's not working for me ).


-- Last edit: 2012-12-02 22:16:29

Skid US

2013-02-10 15:17

I've read a few comments online that the scrapes visible on the surviving car show the car's original color - Medium Brown Metallic, visible under the grey primer applied before the repaint. I haven't studied any recent photos of the car to confirm this. If this is the case, the yellow color could be from any of a number of sources, or a total custom paint color.

tony US

2013-03-30 02:53

Game-oholic 94 wrote I'M GOING TO END THESE ARGUMENTS, ONCE AND FOR ALL! Everyone who say's Eleanor's a 1973 model is right. The grill's headlights are horizontal on a '71, and they're vertical on a '73 (as seen in the movie), and they keep saying 1973 throughout the whole film (mostly in the 40-minute chase scene), so, officially, ELEANOR IS A 1973 MODEL. Case closed.

Not so fast, It has 71-72 blackout paint. 73 never came like that and it also has 71-72 front bumper

cudak888 US

2013-03-30 05:24

tony wrote
Not so fast, It has 71-72 blackout paint. 73 never came like that and it also has 71-72 front bumper


I already compiled every single argument possible to counter Game-oholic 94's incorrect claims. Why are you starting a moot debate of which I've already responded to with accuracy and great detail in an earlier post? I'm not trying to make a personal attack here; it's just that I don't understand dragging up the point when it was already addressed long ago in this spaghetti of misinformation.

Furthermore, the paint scheme is not factory accurate, which renders it useless as a data point. Speaking of which, a base 302 Mach 1 ordered with a standard hood (very unusual, as most cars were ordered with the no-cost-optional NACA/NASA hood) would carry no hood blackout, even though the side of the car will carry the blackout treatment. See my earlier post for a comprehensive analysis of factory Mach 1 liveries.

-Kurt

P.S.: One other accuracy correction as per an earlier post: 15" wheels were not exclusive to the Boss 351 - 15" wheels were an option on 429-equipped Mach 1s.

-- Last edit: 2013-04-01 19:30:13

Baskingshark EN

2013-04-01 17:00

I love how people are still arguing about Eleanor nearly FORTY YEARS after the movie was made...

cudak888 US

2013-04-01 19:28

Baskingshark wrote I love how people are still arguing about Eleanor nearly FORTY YEARS after the movie was made...


That's not half as amusing as the bullheaded ignorance that people have to the simplest of spotting cues.

I'll wager that if and when the VIN numbers for the two cars become public, we'll STILL have people kicking, screaming, and demanding that both cars are 1973 Mach 1s.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2013-04-01 19:29:54

mercury man 01 US

2013-05-09 09:51

Does anyone know if eleanor was a manual or auto ? :think:

rjluna2 US

2013-05-09 13:50

IIRC, he was driving an automatic tranny.

tony US

2013-05-27 18:43

It doesn't look like any factory 73 Mach 1 that I've ever seen. Can anyone find another 73 Mach 1 with an Eleanor type paint job from the factory? I doubt any where ever made that way. The point is, even if it started out as a Mach 1, it doesn't represent one now.....So it's a custom created car that is playing the part of Eleanor....a 73 mustang, not a Mach 1

-- Last edit: 2013-06-01 02:21:22

tony US

2013-06-03 23:48

mercury man 01 wrote Does anyone know if eleanor was a manual or auto ? :think:

Not sure.....but it does have a manual trans break petal

V EN

2013-08-07 08:49

Spike Morelli wrote
I also, had my Mach used in a movie, to be released, called "Bounty Killer", where it plays a starring role.
My car is the same color as "Eleanor", and is a factory color called "medium yellow-gold". ( I tried to post a few photos of it, but it's not working for me ).

Many thanks Spike for the info - I'm looking for a Mustang to 'clone' into an 'Eleanor' - not fussed on the detail 71 0r 73 etc because as with the film its all illusion and the fun is the buy in and the pleasure - aiming to use as a daily drive, not a detail perfect prize hunting trailer queen so just want the 'look' and of course the colour to be as close as possible....Cheers again mate and trust you are well
Regards and thanks from the U.K.

V EN

2013-08-07 08:54

Cycolac Fan wrote

Definitely yellow, maybe a Mustang expert could suggest with certainty what shade, I'd put money on it being Grabber Yellow, or more likely Med Bright Yellow since I believe the latter was a '72 and '73 colour option.

Hi Cycolac ,Many thanks for the info - Ive posted a reply to Spike lower down the page explaining why Im after the colour - Trust you are well
Thanks and regards from a fellow Englishman - Im in the South east on the coast btw ;-)

cudak888 US

2013-12-07 15:13

For anyone refuses to believe that the car was repainted, this is the stunt car (with Mr. Halicki himself) stripped of its sheet metal in preparation for installation of the tubular rollcage and reinforcements:

[Image: 1305-gone-in-60-seconds-h-b-halicki-stripped-sportsroof.jpg]

-Kurt

midniteliquid US

2014-01-14 07:13

mercury man 01 wrote Does anyone know if eleanor was a manual or auto ? :think:


I think he had both; one car with a manual another with an auto.

The reason I say this is because of the part where Pace is being chased through the dirt field... you can clearly hear the distinct sound pattern of the engine note tied to a manual trans as it is shifted to a higher gear (the in-car shots). Also towards the end of the chase when he is driving by the Goodyear Blimp and the Datsun building before the dealership, you can hear the distinct manual shifting.

cudak888 US

2014-01-16 16:00

midniteliquid wrote I think he had both; one car with a manual another with an auto.

The reason I say this is because of the part where Pace is being chased through the dirt field... you can clearly hear the distinct sound pattern of the engine note tied to a manual trans as it is shifted to a higher gear (the in-car shots). Also towards the end of the chase when he is driving by the Goodyear Blimp and the Datsun building before the dealership, you can hear the distinct manual shifting.


If this is from the current DVD, all the engine audio and FX has been ADR'ed. Some of the un-restored VHS uses on-location sound, but it still has been tinkered with.

If anything, the beauty car was definitely an automatic. The fact that the stunt car's transmission was "chained in" does; however, suggest that there was an effort to keep a manual shift linkage from rubbing the floor pans.

-Kurt

maxman CA

2014-02-18 22:47

antp wrote 1st one, there was someone in it:
[Image: gi60s001210c32.738.jpg] [Image: gi60s001341c57.3631.jpg]

2nd one, the owner chases them, who is himself chased by the cops, so they go put it back discretely
[Image: gi60s001905c27.6690.jpg] [Image: gi60s002156c07.1880.jpg]


Actually, those are the same car. The woman in the first one is the owner's wife. They trace the license plate and go to his house to steal it, and return it because the owner is a jackass claims adjuster infamous for denying every claim.

cudak888 US

2014-02-22 03:56

FYI: Despite the paint job, it appears as if both cars started life as 1971 Mach 1s rather than 1971 Sportsroofs. Both have the flip-down gas cap ('71 only) and honeycomb taillight panel (Mach 1 only) associated with the respective year and trim package.

Furthermore, given the apparently factory dual exhaust (proper valance cutouts and exhaust tips), both of these would be 351C H or M-code cars in the least. Either that, or Halicki swapped the valance panels and re-did the exhaust, though I doubt it. If he was that concerned, the flip-down cap and taillights would have been replaced to match '73-spec items - but they were not. Only the grill was swapped, and that's where it ended.

Why the standard hood is anyone's guess, but it was possible to order a Mach 1 with the no-cost NACA hood option deleted in favor of the standard hood (though this option was usually exercised on 302 cars).

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2014-02-22 03:57:27

62imperial US

2014-04-10 12:03

Skid wrote I've read a few comments online that the scrapes visible on the surviving car show the car's original color - Medium Brown Metallic, visible under the grey primer applied before the repaint. I haven't studied any recent photos of the car to confirm this. If this is the case, the yellow color could be from any of a number of sources, or a total custom paint color.

I can vouch for that; I saw it up close at the Peterson Museum several years ago and it was indeed metallic brown underneath. Just wish I had known to read its VIN.

jesper1501 DK

2014-04-12 20:10

Maybe Halicki's idea with the Mustang's, were to pass them off as some kind of special model from a local Ford dealer.
That's just a wild guess.

But it probably is a case of Halicki taking what he had in his junkyard and using that.

-- Last edit: 2014-04-12 20:11:40

cudak888 US

2014-04-20 06:43

62imperial wrote
I can vouch for that; I saw it up close at the Peterson Museum several years ago and it was indeed metallic brown underneath. Just wish I had known to read its VIN.


If that's the case, Halicki's cars may be more unique than we think.

Kevin Marti's "Mustangs, By the Numbers" reports that of 1971 Mustang fastbacks (Sportsroof and Mach 1 combined) built in Medium Brown (Marti reports it as Medium Ginger Metallic; regardless, it's paint code "5"), exactly THREE came with 5A interior (5 = Deluxe, A = Black).

All the more reason to get a Marti on the VIN of the wrecked car that makes the show rounds, or have a reverse Marti pulled on these 3 cars.

-Kurt

P.S.: Has anyone spoken of the fate of the second "beauty shot" car? Was it sold off along with the rest during the litigation resulting from the Shelby repops?

-- Last edit: 2014-04-20 06:45:35

Emile62 NL

2014-04-20 20:47

Hello you all,

Can anyone from You tell me the (allmost) exact type off yellow colour they used on this Ford Mustang called Eleanor in the 1974 movie "Gone in 60 Seconds".
Shortly I own a '73 Mach 1, it needs a paintjob and I would love to paint it in this yellow colour.

Many thanks if somebody can help me with this.

Thanks from the Netherlands,

Emile

cudak888 US

2014-04-22 12:51

Emile62 wrote Hello you all,

Can anyone from You tell me the (allmost) exact type off yellow colour they used on this Ford Mustang called Eleanor in the 1974 movie "Gone in 60 Seconds".
Shortly I own a '73 Mach 1, it needs a paintjob and I would love to paint it in this yellow colour.

Many thanks if somebody can help me with this.

Thanks from the Netherlands,

Emile


Closest factory color to what is seen in the film is Medium Yellow Gold, paint code "E" in 1971.

-Kurt

cudak888 US

2014-04-30 04:12

Expanding on the interior comments of earlier:

1. The damaged Eleanor has the standard '71/72/73 Mustang interior, dash and door panels. The standard door panel is visible as Halicki exits the damaged Eleanor at the car wash, and the closeup of the dash on the highway - a standard dash - shows us that the car has no tachometer (and therefore no instrumentation group).

Yet, as the damaged Eleanor exits the car wash - amongst a number of other scenes - we see Clarion Knit seats from a Deluxe interior installed in this car. The "Eleanor Raceway 2000" segment at the end of the film shows that the wrecked Eleanor has Deluxe Clarion Knit seats, but they've been re-upholstered, and not factory correct either: The vertical vinyl accent stripes are black; they should be dark silver (as seen in the film, when visible).

2. The "beauty" Eleanor has a Deluxe interior (deluxe dash bezel, woodgrain center, deluxe door panels), but carries the standard Ruffino/Corinthian Vinyl seats. The standard seats are also seen as Halicki pries the door latch on Eleanor #2.

The closeup of Halicki buckling up at the International Towers shows a bare driveshaft hump paired with the standard seats, indicating that this deluxe interior car was ordered without the full center console.

However, a scene just after the Moran Cadillac segment - plus those at the car wash - show a tachometer in the dash and gauges on the center dash panel. This car has the instrumentation group.

Final conclusions?

Wrecked Eleanor is a factory standard-interior car without the instrumentation group, wearing the deluxe seats from Beauty Eleanor.
Beauty Eleanor is a factory deluxe-interior car w/the instrumentation group, wearing the standard seats from Wrecked Eleanor. This car, despite the deluxe interior, was ordered with a shortie console (or had the original removed).

Why were the seats swapped? Who knows. Beauty Eleanor has a pair of aftermarket speakers installed in the interior quarter panels, so I have a hunch that Halicki did not buy these cars new.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2014-05-11 05:10:19

MaindrianPace US

2014-05-07 06:46

Here is a picture of a grabber yellow mach 1 that I found on ebay yesterday. This Mach 1's vehicle identification number is 1F05M195739. The Mach 1 actually has a four speed manual with A/C, and is 351 Cleveland 4 with no ram air. Then I just found another one today in Bright Red with a C6 Automatic. This Mach 1's vehicle identification number is 1F05M160616.

[Image: 71mustangmach1yellow0001_zpscdb2f7f2.jpg] [Image: 71mustangmach1yellow0062_zps7547740b.jpg] [Image: 71mustangmach1yellow0051_zps1b351e61.jpg] [Image: 71mustangmach1yellow0050_zpse9d05287.jpg] [Image: 71mustangmach1yellow0049_zps7d26c9de.jpg]



-- Last edit: 2014-05-07 22:35:14

cudak888 US

2014-05-08 02:48

FYI:

A long-time member of the '71-73 Mustang forum ( http://www.7173Mustangs.com ), Kit Sullivan, shared the following:

"I knew Toby somewhat, having met him in '74 at a premier for the movie, and had business dealings with him in the late 80's.
Straight from the horses mouth: "Eleanor" was in fact 2 separate vehicles. Both used 71's with 351 Clevelands bought used prior to production of the movie....The suspension was beefed up as much as possible and supplementary leaf-springs were installed in the front on one for anticipated jumps.
They were both fitted with 73 grilles to make them seem more current as filming started. The paint ciolor used was generic school-bus yellow...not any numbers-correct Ford color."

Straight from Halicki himself. Not Medium Yellow Gold, just a generic yellow probably had cheap, and both built up with used 351C's.

-Kurt

MaindrianPace US

2014-05-08 05:46

I just found a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in Medium Blue Metallic on ebay. This Mach 1's vehicle identification number is 3F05Q234946. Today I manage to find a 1971 Ford Mustang Sports Roof on ebay with a listing that just expired. The Sports Roof vehicle identification number is 1F02H123250. 2F05H214752

[Image: 1305-gone-in-60-seconds-h-b-halicki-stripped-sportsroof.jpg]

-- Last edit: 2014-05-10 04:35:41

cudak888 US

2014-05-11 05:14

Not to be rude, but what does the VIN numbers of those cars have to do with Halicki's two cars, especially when there isn't a chance that any of them have something to do with the film?

Heck, the '72 I just brought home tonight is closer to Halicki's cars than those three, and still doesn't have anything to do with the film.

I might add that the only surviving Eleanor from the film IS the wrecked car. Halicki crushed the beauty car and has admitted such to more than one person. He has given multiple bogus stories as to why he did so. I'm not willing to share my theories - and evidence - pertaining to why that car was crushed, given the litigious world we live in.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2014-05-11 05:16:07

Skid US

2014-05-11 11:59

Speculation and opinion aren't subject to litigation; libel only applies to statements purported falsely to be factual.

I'd be curious to know where you heard the other car was destroyed. I've only read a couple of sources outside of this site that even acknowledges two cars were used.

MaindrianPace US

2014-05-11 20:32

[Image: pear4939.jpg]

http://www.louwho.com/main.html

"Gone in 60 Seconds", what can I say.

Opens June 9th theaters everywhere. In 1972 I bought, "Charlotte", a Ford Mustang Mach l.

1972 At that time, I had a CB and a police scanner in "Charlotte", which naturally a lot of people also monitored. And I'm sure H.B. Halicki visited friends and relatives in the area. So he basically overheard his story line for the movie. Heck! In the movie, he even set all his pairs of sunglasses on the dash like I did. Being I wasn't a car thieve, a plot had to evolve and it seamed logical, rather than to have no reason for a car chase smash up movie.

1973 H.B. Halicki a Pollock like me, had relatives and friends in the Chicago area. Naturally I was the talk of the town. Why you say? Cause back then, if they lost site of you while chasing you, well you were home free. Even in a direct pursuit, if they lost site of you, they could not pick you up later. It was illegal for them to do so, because they lost site of you. So I was somewhat of a temporary hero. Still an obscure unknown, the car was recognized on various occasions and chased for no reason. So naturally I'd oblige them. But getting caught was no more sever then stopping. A one year suspension, provided you weren't involved in other things besides endangering the community. Back then, jurisdiction stopped at the county line The good `ole daze when people had amendment rights and jurisdiction control.

But things like LSD and outrunning the law, became extremely illegal that year. Unlike today, where the wimps want to take your guns away along with your 2nd amendment rights! Wimps! Give the state your kids and don't dare spank them! Take prayer away in schools. What did you expect?

That car could do 180 MPH. I had it up to 153 MPH with pedal left. Naturally I would get chased by the police and helicopters several times a year. It was quite impossible to catch, using various stunts and tactics. All in all, the car was simply superior to anything on the road at that time. Most importantly the driver. The original movie would portray almost all of my stunts and maneuvers. Because of monitoring the police scanner along with the CB, I could out run and out maneuver them. Basically out driving them. Disk brakes all around. Cops had only the front disks. Cops 383 Chrysler, me, a Stock 351 C.I. Four-barrel carburetor with Cruisamatic transmission C-7, in wheels Goodyear rally GT tries. Sounds like a dream? Cop helicopters max speed was only 85 MPH back then. Mostly all the stunts and scene's I did, 1 year before the movie was made in 1974.

Needless to say, my stories were all over the Radio and Newspaper about a yellow car with a black racing stripe. The idea was, the 1972 Mustang Mach l, was the last year of the muscle car and only 2 cars in the world came close. Chevy's Stingray Corvette 180 MPH and the Jaguar 180 MPH. But you could fish tail the Mach l without it flipping. I outran and out maneuvered cops and helicopters in 4 states. Jumping off of bridges in one case, such as the 79th St bridge, 40 foot tall and over highway divides at 70 MPH. Flying threw the back roads of the nearby states. Main highways. Up the down ramp. Slamming on the brakes while the squad cars would slide by me and simply making an easy 60 MPH turn while the squads couldn't compete. Try that today and your out of luck.

You can read a few of my escapades in my new book, "Hippie Daze: Recovery Knights", ~ by Honorable Dr Lou Who. Copyright April 1998. Long before the remake of the movie. On Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and all the others including me. So get your personally signed copy today. Click the book above.

1974 the release of "Gone in 60 seconds", what a shock! All the Pollock relatives, several thousand with friends said, "That's you Dr Lou Who"? Everyone thought I went to Hollywood to make a movie. We flocked by the thousands on the North, West, and South side of Chicago, to see the movie at the various drive-ins. And like all good things, so was the ending. I can't give away the ending, cause in the original movie, it was what really happened to me in the ending. Which not surprisingly, the movie was banned and pulled from the shelves and theaters within 2 weeks. I thus purchased it for $70 each, several copies of the original on VHS which I still have dozens.

1978 I went to California to the actual big junkyard H. B. Halicki owned in the San Fernando Valley and seen the actual two Mach l's used in the movie in a North Hollywood show room. I bought car parts too! Extremely nice man since I'm prejudice. Very Kewl! He set out to break a record of the most crashed cars in one movie. 96 total smash up's, a record for the time and he is the king! My dad also owned a junk yard in Chicago, years earlier and it could have easily been me. But he sold it. And I moved to L.A. California also.

Funny! How the movies imitates life! Ask anyone in Chicago! They'll tell you the base original storyline for "Gone in 60 seconds". I know! I lived it!

I feel extremely Honored, Dr. Lou Who

-- Last edit: 2014-05-11 20:43:28

cudak888 US

2014-05-17 07:16

Skid wrote Speculation and opinion aren't subject to litigation; libel only applies to statements purported falsely to be factual.

I'd be curious to know where you heard the other car was destroyed. I've only read a couple of sources outside of this site that even acknowledges two cars were used.


There's a discussion in the VIP section on 7173Mustangs.com discussing the fate of the second car.

Since the VIP section is a paid upgrade, I'll copy my analysis of the cars from the film, omitting comments about shock towers and VIN numbers. Give me time to gradually change the photos to IMCDB-hosted thumbnails:
First off, let me preface this by noting that the ONLY consistency measure that Halicki seemed to put effort into were the tires and the rear mudflaps. The beauty car wears both the dual-line white pinstripe tires and the Goodyear Eagle/mudflaps in the film, depending on the scene and the car it is representing.

Every single shot with a "beauty" Eleanor or interior shot uses the same Deluxe interior car with the standard seats. This is established when the car is driven off from International Towers. Note that the beauty car has aftermarket speakers in the sportdeck inner quarter panel fillers, proving that the beauty car was bought used:

[Image: vlcsnap-2014-05-02-22h31m49s104.jpg]

No center console; must be a shorty:

[Image: 2u9imhj.jpg]

Beauty car exits International Towers. This was shot separately from the crash immediately following, which substituted the crash car:

[Image: md1k42.jpg]

Possibly the only shot of the crash car prior to any crash. Not enough details to see here:

[Image: 27yoioj.jpg]

Halicki gets rear-ended by the Cadillac. The whole car bulges in the center for a second, and the left framerail and quarter permanently bend down from the hit. The beltline on the quarter bends down as well, and the panel puckers twice over the wheelhouse.

Note the strip of steel extending from behind the rear framerail - this is part of the "skidplate" installed in anticipation of shooting the jump later.

[Image: 2db1cvp.jpg]

From here on out, all damage scenes show a car with a sagging rear quarter and framerail. You can damage a framerail with a sledgehammer, but to bend the entire quarter of an intact car to perfectly match this one would be very difficult without a similar impact. (EDIT for IMCDB: This comment is in reference to speculation that there was a third car. There wasn't.) Note that the car carries the sag to this day:

[Image: 2hmiurt.jpg]

Eleanor spins out. Only shot we have of the RH side before cutting to a different angle. Note the jagged, horizontal damage on the quarter, near the end cap:

[Image: kbb0pg.jpg]

Car comes to a rest. Big impression in the fender, crumpled hood, flat front tire, rear leaf spring or a shackle gives out:

[Image: 2itppn5.jpg]

Pole lands in FRONT of the car, while the lamp's shroud falls down behind the car. Rear frame damage is probably what kept Eleanor from being repaired on-site that day:

[Image: jztycm.jpg]

New angle, different camera, but the dust is still flying and the pole is in the proper location. Compare the damage to the end cap area of the RH quarter with the end cap damage in the previous spinout shot.

It's the same car and the same take - Halicki was just lucky to have a crew sitting on the off-ramp expecting to shoot the car jumping over the median to get to the exit ramp; they were perfectly positioned for this shot:

[Image: mlnqex.jpg]

We move to a new angle from the front. This begins the completely new take. The pole now sits on top of the car, while the lamp shroud is sitting on the trunk. RH fender has the exact same creases in it as the car that spun out into the pole.

Conclusion? Same car, different take, possibly a different day.

[Image: 29ygl10.jpg]

Eleanor drives off; quarter has the correct creases in it, and it's sagging. Same car that pulls out from under the lamp, which is the same car that ran INTO the lamp and got repaired. Not the greatest shot to show the sag (the creases are plain as day though), but I'm not going back into VLC tonight to prove it.

[Image: fk8ozr.jpg]

Eleanor comes off the highway. Same creases, dents, and bends - including the two creases on the rear quarter, which can't be replicated that easily.

[Image: 2eupwkw.jpg]

Halicki spins out after jumping. Skid plates are there, as are the two creases and the sag - with more to boot. The original crease marks remain there, along with the new ones:

[Image: 1gjh3o.jpg]

First car wash shot. Beauty Eleanor, and we don't know quite which one it is. There is a Mopar C-body next to a pole.

[Image: eskdvn.jpg]

Halicki pulls into the car wash. Some sort of wagon/SUV crossover is parked under the Shakeys Pizza Parlor sign:

[Image: sol505.jpg]

Cutscene shows Halicki driving by with unknown beauty Eleanor in back. Kit has hypothesized the beauty car to be a third Eleanor; I disagree.

The beauty car seems to have a slight bumper gap here, but it's so small as to be debatable. Also take note that the wrecked Eleanor is the same one we've seen all along, with the skidplate straps from the jump, correct dents, sag, etc.:

[Image: 2u6immq.jpg]

[Image: aondrl.jpg]

Back to the previous angle. The Mopar C-body is back there, so we know this and the shot from the road were taken at the same time.

The cutscene where both cars are visible at the same time may have been shot the same day with the same cars, but it was a different take - you would have seen the camera and crew next to the phone booth otherwise.

[Image: fq3xe.jpg]

Junker rolls up for a wash. Same wrecked car we've seen for the last 40 minutes. Lighting appear to be a bit past noontime:
[Image: 168hhkg.jpg]

Same car in the reverse shot too, with standard door panels. Also pay attention to the convertible first-gen Camaro convertible.

[Image: 2d2jev9.jpg]

Beauty Eleanor gets taken through the wash. Note that bumper gap, then compare it with the second picture from the warehouse sequence earlier in the film. Same car. Actress in the background is wearing the same dress as the later shots. Unusually good Halicki continuity here, which makes me think that this scene was NOT shot months before or later. (IMCDB NOTE: This is more commentary relating to the non-existent third car rumor)

[Image: qrawpy.jpg]

[Image: 2lnhjn.jpg]

Beauty Eleanor comes out of the wash. It's the International Towers interior/exterior beauty car - note those rear panel speakers (enhanced in the photo), if the deluxe interior with standard seats don't convince you.

Also note that the Camaro has now moved from the entrance (at the back of the building) to the front. Sunlight is not high in the sky like previous shots, and it appears to be setting. This was not shot the same day as the previous scenes - earlier or later, maybe.

[Image: 28i9o91.jpg]

Beauty car drives off (Deluxe interior w/stnd. seats). Trunk has two rough spots:

[Image: w8ba79.jpg]

Wrecked Eleanor rolls out of the wash. Deluxe seats. Same wrecked car as the last 1000 shots - not a substitute - and the car that survives today (with the same exact damage).

Camaro is in the background; this was shot the same day as the previous scene ("we have to rewash it") with the beauty car. The Camaro and the '59 El Camino - along with some others - do some bouncing around the car wash, so these are likely Halicki's own vehicles, trucked in to fill the scenes.

[Image: 105qec8.jpg]

[Image: 2z70svo.jpg]

The LAPD rolls by the car wash in a Montego. The blue wagon/SUV is gone, and the parking lot at the hotel across the street has changed entirely. Not the same day as the previous take where Eleanor rolls in.

[Image: 20gocz.jpg]

Cutscene shows that the Camaro moved again. It shows up in the next shot when the Montego drives in, but this shot was not captured from the Montego as it rolled in, as no camera is visible in the car with the officers.

[Image: 9pvmf4.jpg]

Eleanor wreck is the same car that hit the pole and did the jump; damage matches up.

[Image: fxwsw.jpg]

NOTE: Formatting isn't working on the long posts, so I'm splitting this into the next post.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2014-05-17 08:07:46

cudak888 US

2014-05-17 07:33

Continued from above:

Just in case the use of the two cars appears confusing, here are a few more screencaps from this morning.

Halicki leaves International Towers and trades paint with 1-Baker-11 - but the window-to-window shots were filmed with the beauty car. Note the standard seats, the lack of any damage, and the front fender sitting where it belongs (not to mention Halicki grinning):

[Image: 351s9hf.jpg]

[Image: 5cd7qh.jpg]

Halicki plows through traffic. Passenger's seat is definitely Deluxe, which means this is the same wrecked Eleanor as at the car wash (and the same vehicle to survive today):

[Image: 4icww3.jpg]

Skidplates visible early in the Long Beach shots. They've been on the wrecked car since the start. The beauty car has NOT been set up with skidplates.

[Image: 2ppkinn.jpg]

Halicki crashes into some trash. The trim on the passenger's Deluxe seat is visible.

[Image: 2rr16wz.jpg]

The park scenes give us a really good look at the skid plate - more accurately, skid strips. Remember this detail and the bodyside damage - it will be of importance in a minute. Also take particular note of the rollcage along the interior A-pillar, which is superbly visible in this shot. The beauty car has no cage.

[Image: epolf8.jpg]

Halicki rolls to a stop in the park. Passenger seat is Deluxe:

[Image: 2qlemnt.jpg]

Now - the ONLY time we get to see inside the wrecked Eleanor (other than looking forward towards the dashboard) is when Halicki puts his hands up. The rollcage is clearly visible at the left, and so is the Arriflex 35mm film camera mounted in the back seat area. Steering wheel disappears for this shot, but that's so Halicki can get his face closer to the windshield for cinematic effect.

[Image: dmupso.jpg]

Eleanor crawls forward. Someone here knew the skidplate would be too obvious, so the beauty car was substituted - not the slightest bit of damage on that fender, short of the trim peeling off. Looks like the crossmember did take a mild hit from something, but not from the film.

Also note that the shot is either early morning or late afternoon and does not match up, lighting-wise, with the previous park shots - not to mention that nobody is sitting in the grass behind the car.

On a side note, those center caps sit a bit deep next to the trim ring. 14x7.5" steel rims in place of the 14x7"s? Seems obscure, but the fit looks off.

[Image: jv591g.jpg]

Eleanor powers out. No damage (other than a slight nick at the door), while the wrecked car has acquired a crease on the forward section of the wheelwell and across the door at this point. Again, the beauty car has been substituted:

[Image: rsscqa.jpg]

And that's it for me.

Conclusions?

*As we see it in the film, Halicki never used anything but one wrecked Eleanor to play Wrecked Eleanor.
*Wrecked Eleanor's damage evolves from International Towers to the car wash. The evolution of damage is properly chronological, and no second car shows up at any point to represent it.
*Deluxe seats and skidplates unique to the wrecked car - and not in the beauty car - further confirm #2.
*The film shows no evidence that the beauty car was ever modified to accept a rollcage, negating that it received similar modifications as the wrecked car, or that it was used for stuntwork.
*Conclusion: A beauty car survived at the end of filming and was the same car that represented the beauty Eleanor at the car wash. Why not?
*Observation: Halicki says he had to crush "the other car."
*Conclusion: There is no possible "other car" than the beauty car. Hence, what car was there left to crush?
*Question: Why crush it?

As for the question - refer back to the photo of the stunt car torn down for a rollcage:

[Image: 1305-gone-in-60-seconds-h-b-halicki-stripped-sportsroof.jpg]

Best to see this photo at full resolution at: Link to "image.mustangmonthly.com"

At this point, the car shows no modifications from factory stock - however, look at the shock towers and everything in front of them. They've been replaced, and there is an obvious, brand-new weld bead there. I'd understand this repair if Halicki bought a car with severe front-end damage - BUT Mustang front clip replacements almost always go up to the firewall and torque box so that the frame doesn't have to be cut and re-welded at their highest stress point - quite a risk on the stunt car.

So why do so? All that's obvious here is a shock tower replacement. It so happens that the only place (on the unibody) that a '71-73 Mustang is stamped with its VIN is on the shock towers. As for other places, the dash VIN comes out with the dash in 5 seconds, and the engine block is the only other thing stamped (and Halicki replaced the block in this car with a 351C bought used, according to those one-on-one interviews).

Rather convenient to have the shock towers replaced on a car you've already torn apart - especially as it might lose a fender during shooting. Not so convenient on a car that gets a paint job and nothing else.

Again, draw your own conclusions - and dig up Ronald D. Moore's (of Battlestar Galactica) interview about Halicki while you're at it.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2014-05-17 07:48:22

MaindrianPace US

2014-08-19 07:08

[Image: snapshot18-18-20144-14pm.1.jpg] [Image: snapshot48-19-20141-12am.jpg]

-- Last edit: 2014-08-20 19:50:50

cudak888 US

2014-10-06 03:58

I've been staring at the skinless stunt Eleanor picture for a while now. This is a full resolution copy (resized by IMCDB, unfortunately - this began as a 3146x2160 pixel image) that I color-corrected for yellowing and age:

[Image: halicki-eleanor-stripped.jpg]

Shock tower welds aside, I've noticed some other important details. If you're not familiar with '71-73 Mustangs, this may not make sense. If you are familiar with them - and own one (or at least have spent time examining one or two of them in a junkyard) - the explanation below should make perfect sense:

-The yellow on the forward tip of the rocker panel. If anything, that's the original paint of the car, and it has a blackout on the rocker behind it. Medium Goldenrod Yellow or Bright Yellow? Looks light enough to be Bright Yellow to me, if I had to bet.
-Color aside, this car has a blackout rocker panel. Provided the car is a '71, and not a '72 with the Exterior Decor Group, the stunt car did begin its life as a Mach 1.
-Look at that steering wheel. That's nothing but the steel frame of the wheel itself, minus any plastic around it. Why should the car be that rusty just a few years into it's life?

You know what that is? A fire-damaged Mustang with a front clip replacement. Toby Halicki built the stunt Eleanor from a fire-damaged wreck.

I'm trying to narrow down what the wreck started out as. Seeing as Halicki could build the shell however he wished, we can't really use the film as a guide. So far, I can see:

-Car was equipped with roll-down windows from factory, because the quarter window brackets are fixed. That, and the manual regulators are still sitting in the doors (note that they blend in with everything else). Rules out any car with power windows.
-Sportdeck rear seat frame. Not surprising; doubt if Halicki would have gone through the effort to change it if it wasn't.
-Steering wheel: We're left with the frame here; there's nothing stylized to make heads or tail of. The Pinto-style base 1971 Mustang steering wheel has metal rods for spokes if you remove the molded-on plastic. These spokes sit shallower in depth than the optional two-spoke (which became standard in 1972). The two-spoke Deluxe has rectangular stock for spokes, and sits deeper, as seen on Halicki's fire-damaged car. I'm almost certain - from the angle of the spokes and how they meet the column vs. the distance that they are from the turn signal stalk - that this was a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel before the fire.

With that said, new hypothesis, which is more or less accurate, according to the picture:

-Stunt Eleanor was built from a Bright Yellow 1971 or 1972 Mach 1 with an unknown interior color, and was equipped with Sportdeck rear seats and a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel. The car was involved in a severe fire, which may or may not have been caused by a front-end collision.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2022-12-29 15:45:22

jesper1501 DK

2015-01-22 20:34

I remember a still photograph from "the life and High times of H.B. Halicki", where he's sitting behind the wheel of the stunt Eleanor.
You Can clearly see that it's a standard steering wheel, it's not the two spoke deluxe or three spoke steering wheel, it's just the plain old standard two spoke steering wheel.

cudak888 US

2015-02-06 01:46

jesper1501 wrote I remember a still photograph from "the life and High times of H.B. Halicki", where he's sitting behind the wheel of the stunt Eleanor.
You Can clearly see that it's a standard steering wheel, it's not the two spoke deluxe or three spoke steering wheel, it's just the plain old standard two spoke steering wheel.


Yep, found it recently:

[Image: 2vuirmq.jpg]

Given that Toby would have built this car up from a donor interior car due to the fire damage, all this tells us is what the donor car was equipped with.

One thing of note: There are some photos from the Peterson museum on Flickr that show a dual strut (early-mid '71) hood latch bracket. Probably from the donor.

-Kurt

jesper1501 DK

2015-02-08 17:26

It's interesting so many new details that keeps appearing, but the one thing I would like to know about is the engine.
What engine (beside the fact that it's a 351 cui V8), and exactly what Halicki did to it, but I guess we'll never find out.

jesper1501 DK

2015-02-10 20:16

I just stumbled across this video on youtube, which gives a brief look inside Eleanor at the Petersen auto museum.

And it also shows some nice original posters from different countries, including Denmark 😀

http://youtu.be/FMKqF-HuTLE

CRAFT372 US

2015-02-18 13:55

Here is a weary detailed news article about this iconic car Link to "www.hotrod.com"

Gamer DE

2015-02-18 15:20

CRAFT372 wrote Here is a weary detailed news article about this iconic car

Why is it so tired? :p

cudak888 US

2015-07-20 03:39

CRAFT372 wrote Here is a weary detailed news article about this iconic car Link to "www.hotrod.com"


There are more new insights about the 2000 film in Donald Farr's article than there is about the 1974 film - not to mention the completely rookie mistakes in listing the wrong years and panels for the front end differences.

To reiterate for those unfamiliar with the errors in the article: Eleanor's only change on screen was a 1973 grill, and was based on a '71 (Note: A '71 is virtually indistinguishable from a '72, though the rear seat flipdown brackets in the stripped-down photo indicate that Halicki started with an early-mid '71 Mustang as the basis for the stunt Eleanor). The MAIN difference in front end parts between a 1971/72 Mustang and a 1973 are the fenders (larger bumper cutouts), front bumper (including the bumper brackets), and front valance panel. Hoods are identical for all three years.

To his credit, he has been an IMMENSE help in the Diamonds Are Forever authenticity research, but I wish someone at Hot Rod would open up that article and re-edit it to prevent the spread of yet more misinformation.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2022-12-29 15:50:25

Classics fan BG

2016-02-08 20:19

[Image: hso.jpg]

classiccarlover PT

2016-02-14 13:27

It's amazing how much abuse and mistreating this car can take. It just keeps running.

Classics fan BG

2016-02-16 09:45

classiccarlover wrote It's amazing how much abuse and mistreating this car can take. It just keeps running.


Yeah... A real mustang. :wow: :sun:

-- Last edit: 2016-02-16 09:45:38

Classics fan BG

2016-02-16 09:51

[Image: greenmustang.1.jpg]

Did somebody noticed it?

-- Last edit: 2016-02-16 09:51:53

cudak888 US

2016-02-21 06:33

Classics fan wrote [Image: hso.jpg]


Yep, Halicki wasn't much on subtlety.

Classics fan wrote [Image: greenmustang.1.jpg]

Did somebody noticed it?


Yes. What often gets me is that a local fellow here has a '71 which he inherited from his father - at the time, the car was in LA, and it was the same metallic green. That's not particularly odd in itself, but his car is jacked up, has the rear spoiler, AND wears a pair of identical cockeyed mudflaps. Not that anyone would care one way or another, but I always wonder about the possibility that it's same car when this scene pops up.

It's also strange that this turned out to be the ONLY other '71-73 in proximity to shooting during the entire film.

-Kurt

-- Last edit: 2016-02-21 06:34:38

Classics fan BG

2016-02-21 11:24

cudak888 wrote

Yep, Halicki wasn't much on subtlety.



Yes. What often gets me is that a local fellow here has a '71 which he inherited from his father - at the time, the car was in LA, and it was the same metallic green. That's not particularly odd in itself, but his car is jacked up, has the rear spoiler, AND wears a pair of identical cockeyed mudflaps. Not that anyone would care one way or another, but I always wonder about the possibility that it's same car when this scene pops up.

It's also strange that this turned out to be the ONLY other '71-73 in proximity to shooting during the entire film.

-Kurt


Everything is possible. :??: ;)

Razor440 US

2016-04-05 22:32

I have to say a lot of these posts are amazing. And interesting observation on the green Mustang Kurt, that's honestly the most interesting post I've seen here!

smbdy US

2016-08-03 22:42

The paint job is school bus yellow since it was and is cheap

smbdy US

2016-08-03 22:44

By the way, did halicki only drive it up to 80mph or was that it's top speed (if it is, it was possibly due to modified gearing) because only the stock 6 wouldn't go above 90mph . He did drive a Cadillac that wasn't designed to drive above 90 at 100+mph.

-- Last edit: 2016-08-03 22:48:38

tony US

2016-09-30 11:43

cudak888 wrote I've been staring at the skinless stunt Eleanor picture for a while now. This is a full resolution copy (resized by IMCDB, unfortunately - this began as a 3146x2160 pixel image) that I color-corrected for yellowing and age:

[Image: halicki-eleanor-stripped.jpg]

Shock tower welds aside, I've noticed some other important details. If you're not familiar with '71-73 Mustangs, this may not make sense. If you are familiar with them - and own one, preferably - the explanation below should make perfect sense:

-The yellow on the forward tip of the rocker panel. If anything, that's the original paint of the car, and it has a blackout on the rocker behind it. Medium Goldenrod Yellow or Bright Yellow? Looks light enough to be Bright Yellow to me, if I had to bet.
-Color aside, this car has a blackout rocker panel. Provided the car is a '71, and not a '72 with the Exterior Decor Group, the stunt car did begin its life as a Mach 1.
-Look at that steering wheel. That's nothing but the steel frame of the wheel itself, minus any plastic around it. Why should the car be that rusty just a few years into it's life?

You know what that is? A fire-damaged Mustang with a front clip replacement. Toby Halicki built the stunt Eleanor from a fire-damaged wreck.

I'm trying to narrow down what the wreck started out as. Seeing as Halicki could build the shell however he wished, we can't really use the film as a guide. So far, I can see:

-Car was equipped with roll-down windows from factory, because the quarter window brackets are fixed. That, and the manual regulators are still sitting in the doors (note that they blend in with everything else). Rules out any car with power windows.
-Sportdeck rear seat frame. Not surprising; doubt if Halicki would have gone through the effort to change it if it wasn't.
-Steering wheel: We're left with the frame here; there's nothing stylized to make heads or tail of. The Pinto-style base 1971 Mustang steering wheel has metal rods for spokes if you remove the molded-on plastic. These spokes sit shallower in depth than the optional two-spoke (which became standard in 1972). The two-spoke Deluxe has rectangular stock for spokes, and sits deeper, as seen on Halicki's fire-damaged car. I'm almost certain - from the angle of the spokes and how they meet the column vs. the distance that they are from the turn signal stalk - that this was a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel before the fire.

With that said, new hypothesis, which is more or less accurate, according to the picture:

-Stunt Eleanor was built from a Bright Yellow 1971 or 1972 Mach 1 with an unknown interior color, and was equipped with Sportdeck rear seats and a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel. The car was involved in a severe fire, which may or may not have been caused by a front-end collision.

-Kurt

tony US

2016-09-30 11:44

cudak888 wrote I've been staring at the skinless stunt Eleanor picture for a while now. This is a full resolution copy (resized by IMCDB, unfortunately - this began as a 3146x2160 pixel image) that I color-corrected for yellowing and age:

[Image: halicki-eleanor-stripped.jpg]

Shock tower welds aside, I've noticed some other important details. If you're not familiar with '71-73 Mustangs, this may not make sense. If you are familiar with them - and own one, preferably - the explanation below should make perfect sense:

-The yellow on the forward tip of the rocker panel. If anything, that's the original paint of the car, and it has a blackout on the rocker behind it. Medium Goldenrod Yellow or Bright Yellow? Looks light enough to be Bright Yellow to me, if I had to bet.
-Color aside, this car has a blackout rocker panel. Provided the car is a '71, and not a '72 with the Exterior Decor Group, the stunt car did begin its life as a Mach 1.
-Look at that steering wheel. That's nothing but the steel frame of the wheel itself, minus any plastic around it. Why should the car be that rusty just a few years into it's life?

You know what that is? A fire-damaged Mustang with a front clip replacement. Toby Halicki built the stunt Eleanor from a fire-damaged wreck.

I'm trying to narrow down what the wreck started out as. Seeing as Halicki could build the shell however he wished, we can't really use the film as a guide. So far, I can see:

-Car was equipped with roll-down windows from factory, because the quarter window brackets are fixed. That, and the manual regulators are still sitting in the doors (note that they blend in with everything else). Rules out any car with power windows.
-Sportdeck rear seat frame. Not surprising; doubt if Halicki would have gone through the effort to change it if it wasn't.
-Steering wheel: We're left with the frame here; there's nothing stylized to make heads or tail of. The Pinto-style base 1971 Mustang steering wheel has metal rods for spokes if you remove the molded-on plastic. These spokes sit shallower in depth than the optional two-spoke (which became standard in 1972). The two-spoke Deluxe has rectangular stock for spokes, and sits deeper, as seen on Halicki's fire-damaged car. I'm almost certain - from the angle of the spokes and how they meet the column vs. the distance that they are from the turn signal stalk - that this was a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel before the fire.

With that said, new hypothesis, which is more or less accurate, according to the picture:

-Stunt Eleanor was built from a Bright Yellow 1971 or 1972 Mach 1 with an unknown interior color, and was equipped with Sportdeck rear seats and a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel. The car was involved in a severe fire, which may or may not have been caused by a front-end collision.

-Kurt

tony US

2016-09-30 11:46

tony wrote
From this picture......everything on the car was His choise.....so it was anything or everthing......no way to tell now

76cobra US

2017-02-04 21:03

Hey does anyone know we're Eleanor is now?
Chris

rjluna2 US

2017-02-04 21:21

Probably still in Denice Halicki's possession.

MrTaft AU

2017-03-13 00:00

rjluna2 wrote Probably still in Denice Halicki's possession.


It definitely is, locked in her garage according to the last photo of it that I saw.

MaindrianPace US

2017-08-21 20:04

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMKqF-HuTLE

[Image: x582s0.jpg]
[Image: snapshot44-24-20175-21pm.jpg]

-- Last edit: 2017-09-01 18:06:23

Le Cornouiller FR

2017-10-02 09:58

Ray B. wrote
Wow! This war has been going on for more than 3 years !!!


Some can't accept the fact that what they see through their eyes is not reality. Hollywood has a long tradition of closings cars. First reason is for money issue.
Closer to us, the same happened with the Cuda from Nash Bridges...

What you see on-screen is what THEY want you to see. Never forget this. ;)

MaindrianPace US

2018-09-08 21:12

I recently found a rare picture of the beauty Eleanor right behind a 1955 Ford Fairlane in Halicki's personal collection. The beauty Eleanor was never crushed but remained in Halicki's collection until being auctioned in 1992. According to Lou who had went to California back in 1978, he had managed to visit a big junkyard that Halicki owned in the San Fernando Valley, and had that there were two completely different Mustangs that were used in the movie in a North Hollywood show room. He can tell you that beauty car was Mach 1, and the stunt car was just a basic fastback. I also found a rare picture of Halicki with his personal collection.

[Image: 37-car-collection.jpg][Image: 39-car-collection.jpg][Image: 2a-car-collection.jpg]


-- Last edit: 2018-09-08 21:30:46

Potto SE

2019-04-19 20:29

I noticed that during one of the interior shots on the highway(?) the speedometer seems to stop at 95 or so MPH. Is this gearing related or did this car really not muster more? It still has the 1971 engine, right? I'd imagine that whatever V8 it had (351 or 302?) could take it up to some higher speeds with the right gearing, especially with pre-malaise horsepower.

Edit: https://youtu.be/w8MFeATapn0?t=1257 20:57 and the speedo seems to jump around at 85 MPH.

-- Last edit: 2019-04-19 20:34:16

Fluttershy US

2020-06-06 06:10

Potto wrote I noticed that during one of the interior shots on the highway(?) the speedometer seems to stop at 95 or so MPH. Is this gearing related or did this car really not muster more? It still has the 1971 engine, right? I'd imagine that whatever V8 it had (351 or 302?) could take it up to some higher speeds with the right gearing, especially with pre-malaise horsepower.

Edit: https://youtu.be/w8MFeATapn0?t=1257 20:57 and the speedo seems to jump around at 85 MPH.

They did 0 Mechanical Modifications to the car, most they did to the Engine Bay was add a Rollcage

ayba US

2020-09-26 20:06

The 1971-1973 Mustangs looks like it's from the 1980s.

Fluttershy US

2021-07-10 08:22

bullitt390 wrote this is in fact a 1973 mustang with a 351c. however the movie makers wanted people to believe it was a 1971 mach 1. the money put into movies at that time wasnt near what it is today and i guess the couldnt find or couldnt afford a real 71 mach 1.


You, sir, need to do some research before commenting. Halicki himself said its a 1971 with a 73 Grille they painted Schoolbus Yellow

https://youtu.be/_kw0Nwmge2I
https://youtu.be/FMKqF-HuTLE

Baube QC

2021-07-10 08:27

Fluttershy wrote

You, sir, need to do some research before commenting.

I highly doubt that a user that was last seen about 15 years ago sees your suggestion about his comment.. ;)

-- Last edit: 2021-07-10 08:28:49

cudak888 US

2021-10-11 03:11

Potto wrote I noticed that during one of the interior shots on the highway(?) the speedometer seems to stop at 95 or so MPH. Is this gearing related or did this car really not muster more? It still has the 1971 engine, right? I'd imagine that whatever V8 it had (351 or 302?) could take it up to some higher speeds with the right gearing, especially with pre-malaise horsepower.

Edit: https://youtu.be/w8MFeATapn0?t=1257 20:57 and the speedo seems to jump around at 85 MPH.


Pretty sure the interior shot used the beauty car, and if you look at the reflections, the interior is absolutely stationary. Halicki could have put it on a dyno, but they probably disconnected the speedo cable and ran it with a drill, especially given how it bounces in the shot.

-Kurt

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