Okay, let’s talk about this Shelby Eleanor thing. It wasn’t exactly a smooth ride, more like a bumpy back road.
Getting the Bug
It started simple enough. Watched that movie again, you know the one. And boom. That grey Mustang, the sound, the look. I got this idea stuck in my head: I needed to get closer to that. Not just posters or die-cast models. Something real.
Diving Down the Rabbit Hole
So, I started digging. First thing, looked for originals. Yeah, right. Found out pretty quick those are basically museum pieces or cost more than my house. Okay, plan B: replicas. Seemed doable. Lots of companies build ’em, right?
Well, “lots” is an understatement. And the quality? All over the map. I spent weeks, maybe months, just sifting through websites, forums, grainy photos. Some looked amazing, perfect clones. Others? Looked like they were put together in someone’s backyard shed with leftover parts. Prices were just as wild. You see a number, think it’s okay, then realize it’s just for a rolling chassis, no engine, no paint, nothing.
Dealing with People
- Talked to a few builders on the phone. Some sounded legit, knew their stuff. Sent me build photos, spec sheets.
- Others were slick salesmen. Dodged questions about where parts came from, how long it really takes. Got a bad vibe.
- Chatted with guys on forums who owned replicas. Got tons of advice. Problem was, half of it contradicted the other half. “Use this kit!” “No, that kit’s junk, use this one!” “Build it yourself!” “Don’t you dare build it yourself!”
The Reality Check
I even drove a few hours to see one a guy was selling. Looked okay from ten feet away. Up close? Paint had bubbles, panel gaps were all over the place, interior smelled funny. The guy wanted a fortune. That was kind of a wake-up call.
Then I started adding things up. Not just the purchase price. Insurance for a car like this? Crazy. Maintenance? It’s still an old Mustang underneath, things break. And finding someone who knows how to properly work on an Eleanor replica isn’t like finding a regular mechanic.
Briefly, very briefly, I thought about getting a kit and doing it myself. Watched some videos, read some build diaries. Man, that’s a whole other level. You need skills, tools, space, and mostly, time. Tons of time. I looked at my garage, looked at my schedule. Nope. Not happening.
Where I Landed
So, after all that running around, what did I end up with? No Eleanor in my driveway, that’s for sure. But I learned a ton. I learned about the car, the community, the difference between passion and obsession. I learned what goes into building these things and why they cost what they do (the good ones, anyway).
In the end, I realized the idea of the Eleanor, the movie magic, was what I was chasing. The reality is a lot more complicated, expensive, and requires a level of commitment I just wasn’t ready for. Maybe someday. For now, I appreciate seeing them at car shows. From a safe, respectful distance where I don’t have to worry about the insurance bill.
