Mustang Shelby GT500

Make
Ford
Segment
Coupe

In the world of Grand Theft Auto, you can't just call a car by its real name. You've got to have your own secret code language to keep things hush-hush. It's like being in the mafia or something. You know, "I need a pizza with extra cheese" means "I need to steal a Ferrari."

Nowhere is this more evident than in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. A movie that really knows how to steal… attention. Here, car thieves use codenames for the models they're after, and the list of cars on their radar is nothing short of impressive. 50 rare and striking examples, all handpicked by the film's producer and director.

How Did They Choose Those Cars?

It wasn't an easy task. The film's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, and director, Dominic Sena, had to put a lot of thought and effort into creating a Gone in 60 Seconds cars list that would be diverse and exciting enough to appeal to audiences and fit the story of the film. It was a long and meticulous process.

First, they did their research.

They scoured the earth for various car models and types, including muscle cars, exotic sports cars, and classic cars. They even consulted with car enthusiasts and collectors to get their input on what cars would be most exciting to see on the big screen.

Next, they conducted screen tests to see how the cars looked on camera and how they performed. They wanted to make sure the cars looked as cool as they did in their dreams, and that they fit into the overall story and feel of the movie.

Then, they had to consider the availability of the cars. Some of the models were rare or hard to find, while others were more readily available. They had to strike a balance between having an exciting lineup of cars and being able to actually obtain them for the film.

Of course, logistics were also a major consideration. They had to plan how to transport the cars, where to store them, and how to film the chase scenes safely.

And finally, they had their own personal preferences and tastes. They chose cars that they personally found exciting and visually interesting.

The process of selecting the 50 Gone in 60 Seconds cars was not for the faint of heart. But the end result was a lineup of cars that are iconic in the world of automotive cinema. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go work on my secret code language.

Codenames Used in "Gone in 60 Seconds"

You're probably wondering why the cars from Gone in 60 Seconds are named after women. The codenames the thieves use to refer to each car they need to steal are arbitrary names, plain and simple. There's no specific meaning behind the names, they were likely chosen simply to make each car easier to identify and differentiate from the others. Some of the names, like "Eleanor" and "Madeline," may have been chosen for their classic and elegant connotations. The classier the car, the classier the name.

So, if you're planning on stealing some cars, you better start thinking of some creative codenames. The following list should give you some inspiration.

The Complete List Of Gone In 60 Seconds Car Names

  • 1950 Mercury Custom - "Gabriela"
  • 1953 Chevrolet Corvette - "Pamela"
  • 1956 Ford T Bird - "Susan"
  • 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible - "Stefanie"
  • 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL/Gullwing - "Dorothy"
  • 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham - "Patricia"
  • 1959 Cadillac Eldorado - "Madeline"
  • 1961 Porsche Speedster - "Natalie"
  • 1962 Aston Martin DB1 - "Barbara"
  • 1964 Bentley Continental - "Alma"
  • 1965 Pontiac GTO - "Sharon"
  • 1966 Shelby AC Cobra - "Ashley"
  • 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Big Block - "Stacey"
  • 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 - "Nadine"
  • 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 - "Eleanor"
  • 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - "Erin"
  • 1969 Dodge Daytona - "Vanessa"
  • 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner - "Jessica"
  • 1971 DeTomaso Pantera - "Kate"
  • 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - "Shannon"
  • 1987 Ferrari Testarosa - "Rose"
  • 1988 Porsche 959 - "Virginia"
  • 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 - "Gina"
  • 1994 Jaguar XJ 220 - "Bernadene"
  • 1995 Ferrari 355 B - "Diane"
  • 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 - "Iris"
  • 1997 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo - "Tanya"
  • 1998 Dodge Viper Coupe GTS - "Denise"
  • 1998 Mercedes Benz SL 600 - "Ellen"
  • 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo - "Lynn"
  • 1999 Aston Martin DB7 - "Mary"
  • 1999 Bentley Arnage - "Lindsey"
  • 1999 Bentley Azure - "Laura"
  • 1999 Cadillac Escalade - "Carol"
  • 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello - "Angelina"
  • 1999 HumVee 2 Door Pickup - "Tracy"
  • 1999 Infiniti Q45 - "Rachel"
  • 1999 Jaguar XK8 Coupe - "Deborah"
  • 1999 Lexus LS 400 - "Hillary"
  • 1999 Lincoln Navigator - "Kimberley"
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz CL 500 - "Donna"
  • 1999 Mercedes Benz S 600 - "Samantha"
  • 1999 Porsche 996 - "Tina"
  • 2000 Cadillac Eldorado STS - "Daniela"
  • 2000 Ford F350 4×4 modified pickup - "Anne"
  • 2000 GMC Yukon - "Megan"
  • 2000 Porsche Boxster - "Marsha"
  • 2000 Rolls Royce Stretch Limousine - "Grace"
  • 2000 Toyota Landcruiser - "Cathy"
  • 2000 Volvo Turbo Wagon R - "Lisa"

5 Best Car Names in Cinematic History

No, I'm not talking about the Batmobile or the DeLorean from Back to the Future. I'm talking about the iconic cars used in Gone in 60 Seconds.

First on our list is Eleanor, the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 that's the most famous car from Gone in 60 Seconds. The name might remind you of an ancient English queen, appropriate for what is undoubtedly muscle car royalty.

Next up, we have Stacey, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Big Block. A classic American icon with an equally classic name.

Madeline is our third pick, a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado that oozes luxury and elegance. The name Madeline conjures up images of a refined and sophisticated woman, and this car is no different. With its sleek lines and chrome accents, the Madeline is a showstopper.

Alma is another name that's perfect for a car with high-end luxury. The 1964 Bentley Continental that bears this name is a work of art. It's a car that's made for the elite, the refined, and the discerning. If you're driving an Alma, you've made it in life.

And last but certainly not least, we have Barbara. This name might seem ordinary, but when it's paired with a 1962 Aston Martin DB1, it becomes something extraordinary. Barbara is a classic name that's stood the test of time. Just like the car it's named after.

While some of the codenames in the movie evoke a sense of nostalgia and class, others fall flat and leave you scratching your head.

5 Worst Car Names in Gone in 60 Seconds

Tracy: Let's face it, the name Tracy is about as exciting as a toaster. And when you slap it onto a 1999 HumVee 2-Door Pickup, it just doesn't work. This car is a beast, a force to be reckoned with, and yet it's saddled with a name that sounds like it belongs to your neighbor's accountant.

Samantha: When you hear the name Samantha, what comes to mind? Probably not a 1999 Mercedes Benz S 600. This car is sleek, stylish, and screams luxury. So why saddle it with a name that sounds like it belongs to a soccer mom's minivan?

Hillary: Look, we're not here to get political, but we can all agree that the name Hillary is pretty boring. And when you put it on a 1999 Lexus LS 400, it just makes the car even more forgettable. This is a car that should be turning heads, not blending in with the crowd.

Rachel: The name Rachel is fine for your cousin's girlfriend, but for a 1999 Infiniti Q45? Not so much. This car is supposed to be a high-performance luxury vehicle, not a girl-next-door type. The name just doesn't fit the car's personality.

Lynn: The 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo is a car that demands respect. It's fast, it's powerful, and it's one of the stars of the movie. So why give it a name like Lynn? It's a name that belongs to a kindergarten teacher, not a car that can do 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds.

Most Expensive Cars in Gone in 60 Seconds Movie

First on our list is the 1966 Shelby Cobra, codenamed Ashley. To give you an idea of how valuable these cars are, one particularly nice example recently went up for auction on Bring a Trailer. The highest bid was a cool $1.16 million but that was below the reserve and didn't even sell for that amount.

Next up, we have the Ferrari 275 GTB4, codenamed Nadine. This is a highly sought-after classic Ferrari, and it's no surprise that it's also one of the most expensive cars from the film. In fact, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 sold for just over $3.5 million at RM Sotheby's auction in August 2022. If that doesn't make you want to break into a car chase, I don't know what will.

Moving on to the Porsche 959, codenamed Virginia. This is a rare and highly coveted supercar that was built in limited numbers in the 1980s. A Porsche 959 sold at auction for an impressive $1.5 million in 2022. That's some serious cash for a car that spends most of its time collecting dust in a garage.

Next, we have the Shelby Mustang GT500, better known as the Eleanor car in Gone in 60 Seconds, and one of the most expensive cars from the movie. In fact, the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 used in the film was sold at auction for a cool $1 million in 2013. That's right, one million dollars for a car that was probably thrashed around a movie set.

Last but not least, we have the Bentley Continental, codenamed Alma. This is a rare and highly sought-after luxury car, and a fully restored 1964 Bentley S3 Continental sold at auction in the UK for the equivalent of $155,000. That may not be as much as some of the other cars on our list, but it's still enough to make your wallet weep.

What Happened to the Cars?

Let's start with the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, the Gone in 60 Seconds Eleanor car. Turns out, there were actually several cars used in the making of the film, but one of the original "Eleanor" cars was sold at auction for a whopping $1 million in 2013. And who's the lucky owner of this automotive gem? Some lucky private collector, of course. One of the movie Eleanor cars resides in the Volvo Museum in Illinois.

What about the other cars? Well, the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Big Block known as Stacey is now owned by a private collector. The 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 - a limited edition 30th Anniversary model - was bought by a private collector while Nicholas Cage also owned a Diablo (but his model was a regular one finished in orange).

But here's the thing: many of the cars used in the film were either destroyed or damaged during filming. In fact, a total of 93 Gone in 60 Seconds cars were wrecked in the making of the movie. And while some were replicas, many were the real deal.

So why were so many cars destroyed? Well, it's simple: the filmmakers were committed to delivering high-octane, adrenaline-fueled action on screen. And what better way to do that than by destroying a bunch of cars?

Despite the destruction, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $237 million worldwide. And it's easy to see why. The movie had a killer cast, including Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Robert Duvall. And the cars? Well, let's just say they were the real stars of the show.

Gone in 60 Seconds is a classic in the world of automotive cinema. And the fact that so many of the 60 Seconds cars are now owned by private collectors is a testament to the film's lasting impact. It's a must-watch for any car enthusiast and a true masterpiece of automotive action.

When to Expect a Sequel?

Unfortunately, a sequel to Gone in 60 Seconds is almost certainly never going to happen. The movie (itself a remake of a 1974 film of the same name) was released in 2000 and was a commercial success, but so far, there has been no word about a follow-up film. It's possible that we might see a remake at some point in the future with a new cast and some new cars. If there is any news or updates about Gone in 60 Seconds 2 or a remake, it will likely be announced through official channels such as movie studios or production companies.