Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with this “Gone in 60 Seconds” movie lately, and especially that beautiful 1967 Shelby GT500, “Eleanor”. I decided I needed to do something with this obsession, so I figured I’d try to build a detailed model of it.
First, I gathered a ton of reference images. I mean, every angle I could find online. Pictures of the real car, movie stills, other people’s models – you name it, I probably saved it to my computer. I wanted to get every little detail right.
The Build Begins
I started with a basic 1:24 scale model kit of a ’67 Mustang Fastback. It wasn’t the GT500 itself, but it was the right starting point. The real fun began with the modifications.
- I used putty to reshape the body, adding those iconic side scoops and that aggressive front end. This part was messy! Lots of sanding and shaping, then more sanding. My fingers were raw by the end.
- I scratch-built the custom hood, with that distinctive bulge. This involved cutting and shaping plastic sheets, then carefully gluing them together.
- The rear spoiler? More putty and shaping. I spent hours just trying to get the angles right.
- Next came the paint job. I found this perfect Pepper Grey Metallic paint, and a contrasting black for the stripes. Multiple coats, with careful masking in between, were needed to do it right.
Details, Details, Details
But it’s the little things that really make it “Eleanor”, right?
- I added those custom driving lights in the grille. Tiny little LEDs that actually work!
- I found miniature versions of the correct wheels and tires. That was a lucky find online!
- The side-exit exhaust? I crafted those from some small-diameter tubing I had lying around.
- I even made a tiny “Go-Baby-Go” button for the shifter. It’s not functional, of course, but it looks right.
Honestly, it took me weeks, working on it a little bit each night. There were times I wanted to throw the whole thing against the wall, especially when I messed up the paint and had to strip it and start over. But I stuck with it, and finally… it was finished.
It’s not perfect, but it’s my Eleanor. And I’m pretty darn proud of how it turned out. Now it sits on my shelf, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of that awesome car and that crazy movie.
