Thanks for asking;
I can't for the life of me understand why so many people spend so much time, effort, and money cloning one of the ugliest Mustangs ever devised. It's a Hollywood creation, it's uninteresting, it's unattractive, and it has zero pedigree, so why do people bother. Generally, if I see someone cruising in an Elenor clone, my first impression is that they are specifically not a gear head. Just a movie fanatic with a passing interest in cars and money to burn, much the same as those who drive orange General Lee Chargers. "Me too" cars. Same group of people. This particular iteration seems impressively fast, and I'm sure is well built, but are 10 second muscle cars really news these days?
Don't take my word for it though. These are purely my opiunions, and my opinions are frequently at odds with the general populace. By virtue of that statement alone, you should be in good stead.
The "real" Eleanor was a 73 (big bodied) Mustang. The chase sequence in the original movie was more interesting and entertaining than the entire Nick Cage movie. IMHO
I'm not a fan of these "re-creations" either. To each his own, but it doesn't do anything more for me than another Mustang with a body kit.
ddavidv
SuperDork
10/13/11 5:17 a.m.
I'm with you totally Joe. I thought the Cage Eleanor was an exercise in horrific excess. That people want to duplicate such an ugly car amazes me.
There is only one Eleanor, and she's a '72 made to look like a '73. If those big pigs were still cheap I'd probably own one painted and modified to look like Halicki's. I know it would make me a poseur, and very few people would 'get' it, but I guess that's my way of honoring the original and wanting that little piece of the fantasy for myself. Especially knowing what a craptastic cart the big Mustangs actually were. Oddly, I don't have the desire to do the same thing with the Charger used in Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry or really any car used in any other movie. I once had a burning desire to have a Gumball Rally Cobra, but the plethora of replicas kind of killed that.
Ian F
SuperDork
10/13/11 7:59 a.m.
In reply to AndreGT6:
And some would argue Ford themselves did a pretty damn good job of replicating that car. I drool over S197 Bullitt's every time I see one. Such a cool, understated car.
I don't really have an issue with the Cage version Eleanor. It's a neat car. Much like the difference between the two movies, which really have so little in common that I can enjoy them with forced ignorance of each other. Of course, I have similar views of the Italian Job movies.
I grew up watching the Dukes of Hazzard and still want a General Lee replica on some level. Then again, I have a sarcasm streak that makes me want to build a anti-version: Navy blue; 10 on the doors; the US flag on the roof and named "General Grant" ...or if I really want to diss my Georgia roots: "General Sherman" - but I think Grant would convey the correct sense of irony.
One could argue the Eleanor craze really pushed the whole pro-touring idea into the mainstream. I don't really recall the idea being all that popular until then.
Andre was so right, I had to copy his answer.
I admit I have an Eleanor in my diecast collection.
But the Bullitt is so clean and understated.
ddavidv
SuperDork
10/14/11 6:23 a.m.
One thing to remember...Hollywood did do a bit of homework on the Gen Lee...His horse, named Charger.
In regards to "Gen Grant"...Somebody would have to make a car called "Uncle Jacks Old No. 7" LOL
Leo