1967 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK - GT500 ELEANOR TRIBUTE

This Ford Mustang Fastback is a sensational homage to the famous Shelby GT500 ‘Eleanor’ as seen in Gone in 60 Seconds, with a comprehensive upgraded specification and superb attention to detail. Under the bonnet is a carburettor-fed 347ci (5.7-litre) stroker V8 crate motor supplied by BluePrint Engines in Nebraska, fitted with aluminium heads, forged pistons, a cast steel crank and a roller cam - producing a proven 418hp. It is coupled to a Tremec T-5 World Classic Z-Spec five-speed manual transmission with carbon-fibre synchro rings.

A genuine 1967 Fastback, this Mustang was built at Ford’s New Jersey factory, and was initially finished in Clearwater Aqua and specified with the optional 225hp 289ci V8. Its new 347ci engine was installed in November 2019 and is still under warranty, and the Tremec gearbox is also equipped with a Ford Motorsport flywheel and a Cobra clutch kit. There is also a nitrous plate kit, adding a potential 200hp, though it has never been filled or used.

The mechanical specification also includes a brand-new custom aluminium driveshaft, and a Torsen rear differential with a 4.11:1 final drive. Its chassis has been strengthened along the frame rails and box section, and there is upgraded rear coilover suspension as well as new ‘Shelby Drop’ RideTech front upper control arms. There are also disc brakes on all four wheels, with a Hydroboost brake booster, and very precise rack-and-pinion power steering. It has a fully custom-built 3-inch exhaust with cross-pipe section, which gives the car an incredible aural character.

Special attention was paid to the exterior with the aim of making it indistinguishable from the movie car, so the body was refinished in Dupont Pepper Grey with metallic black ‘racing stripes’, and finished with the correct fuel filler cap and even Shelby mirrors. There are xenon headlights, and all other bulbs have been upgraded to LEDs. The car rides on genuine 17-inch PS Engineering wheels just like the real ‘Eleanor’, and not replicas as per many other ‘tribute’ cars.

Inside, there are some wonderful details, including the correct style speedometer and rev counter - which many recreations miss - and of course the famous nitrous ‘arming switch’ and the push-button gear knob. New front and rear black leather seats were fitted during the conversion, and a Deluxe interior kit was also installed. While staying faithful to many of the familiar big-screen features, there are also a few mod cons, including a JVC touch-screen stereo head unit, full six-speaker Pioneer sound system and even a reversing camera.

The vendor has owned the car for around one year, having it shipped over to the UK in August 2020, followed by official import clearance in September and re-registration in October. The car is now a fully UK taxes-paid vehicle. It is now registered on an early 1967 ‘E’ suffix mark, and of course these could be changed to period-style black and white plates should the next owner desire.

Following a full glass-out respray in 2017 as part of the restoration and transformation, this Mustang still presents in excellent condition overall. There are a few small cracks in the paint around the side-exit exhausts, believed to be caused by excess heat, and some other minor chips and imperfections around the body as shown in the photo gallery. These do little to detract from what is otherwise a very well-finished classic that certainly looks like the real deal.

The quality of the interior is equally impressive, with the black leather still in great shape, and with all new carpeting throughout as well. Some of the trims that were in good order were retained, so there are small wear marks and scuffs in places, and the three-spoke steering wheel has some nicks around the wood rim. The dials and switches are a mix of original and newer upgraded components, and there are no reported faults.

Around 3,000 miles after the new engine was installed, the car was given a running-in service with an oil and filter change, and a fresh set of spark plugs. Otherwise, it has needed no other maintenance or repairs since the rebuild, and is presented in strong mechanical order.

The car went through an MOT test on 1 October 2020 at an indicated 8,396 miles, when it passed with only one advisory regarding a minor leak in the offside rear exhaust joint. It wears matching Falken tyres on all four wheels, which have covered around 1,000 miles, so remain in superb condition.

Accompanying the car is all of the warranty information and guide for the BluePrint crate engine, as well as all of the import and UK registration paperwork, and a certificate confirming an agreed insurance valuation of £125,000. There are two sets of original style Shelby keys, a full set of engine gaskets, and a few other spare parts as shown in the gallery.

This Ford Mustang Fastback is a remarkably faithful tribute to one of the most famous modern movie motor cars. To a generation that grew up with the Gone in 60 Seconds remake, the ‘Eleanor’ Shelby GT500 is one of the most instantly recognisable classic cars, and this is an unmissable opportunity to acquire an outstanding homage, that has covered only a few thousand miles since its comprehensive rebuild and conversion.

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