Lot 276 - 1967 12918 Mustang GT500 ‘Eleanor’ Tribute

The Shelby Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang which was built by Shelby American from 1965 through to 1970. For 1967, the GT 350 carried over the K-Code high performance 289 with a 'COBRA' aluminium hi-rise. The GT 500 was then added to the lineup. These later cars carried over few of the performance modifications of the 1965-66 GT350s although they did feature more cosmetic changes. In September 1967, production was moved to the A.O. Smith Company of Ionia, Michigan, under Ford control. Immortalised in the film 'Gone in 60 Seconds' from 2000 starring Nicholas Cage, the Shelby Mustang known as 'Eleanor' was the ultimate 'steal' for Cage who played a retired professional car thief who was forced back to work after his younger brother had upset his rather unfriendly employer. Based on the 1967 Shelby GT500 fastback, the 'Eleanor' was a modernised variant with serious power and is considered by many to be the ultimate Mustang.
 
Imported from California in 2007, this extremely usable Mustang has all duties and taxes paid. Just prior to its arrival in the UK, it was restored by specialists in America and presents well. It has been used by the current owner both in the US and UK on a regular basis. Both husband and wife team have enjoyed numerous trips to the Continent and reliability has always been one of its strongest aspects. The colour scheme is black with grey stripes over a full 'Eleanor' body kit with the correct Shelby wheels and tyres. The 302ci motor delivers power through a four speed 'Hurst' manual gearbox and a 9" rear axle. With all this power, the brakes have also been uprated to discs delivering a good quality build (backed up with a full one year MoT test certificate), thoughtful mechanics and a temperament that is even enough to live with every day.