Car

Court rules muscle car fans free to build Eleanor-style Mustangs

Shelby Trust, the owner of the Shelby trademark,

has won a court case that the trust claims finally allows it and other builders to create Mustangs that resemble the Eleanor-named gray Mustangs in 2000’s hit movie “Gone in 60 Seconds,”

Court rules muscle car fans free to build Eleanor-style Mustangs

as well as the yellow Eleanor Mustang that featured in the original 1974 version of the movie.

For years, the two car designs were defended under copyright protection by Denise Halicki, the wife of Henry Blight “Toby” Halicki, who made the original “Gone in 60 Seconds” movie.

She won the rights in a 2008 court case against Shelby after the trust a few years prior started licensing the 2000 design to replica builders keen to offer Eleanor-style Mustangs for sale.

1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor - For Sale - Scottsdale, AZ - Magnusson Classic  Motors - Photo #169544 | Ford mustang eleanor, Classic motors, Muscle cars  for sale

Halicki has arranged licensing deals with replica builders in the past, but not with Shelby. For example, Classic Recreations last year announced a carbon-fiber bodied Eleanor with an 810-hp supercharged V-8—priced at nearly $300,000. A more traditional replica for around $200,000 was offered by Brand New Muscle Car in 2019. In both those cases, the replica resembled the Eleanor from the 2000 movie starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie. The car in the movie was based on a 1967 Ford Shelby GT500.

According to Shelby, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California last week ruled that both Eleanor Mustang designs (2000’s gray design and 1974’s yellow) were not deserving of copyright protection, on the basis the designs weren’t representative of a character that could be considered intellectual property.

“We can finally tell all our important licensees and Shelby GT500 owners that Mrs. Halicki has absolutely no right to complain about or file a lawsuit based upon the looks of any car licensed by the Shelby Trust,” Neil Cummings, a co-trustee of the Shelby Trust who oversaw the legal process, said in a statement. “The true value of all Shelby GT500s is now secure with this news.”

h n

Related Posts

Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT – Tribute To A Legend

The extremely brilliant Luca Serafini created the design research. This design’s quirkiness, aggressiveness, and originality are the major factors that make it so fascinating to us. Perhaps the designer adopted…

Futuristic Toyota Sequoia SUV Concept – Monster!!

With the aid of artificial intelligence, the well-known and reputable search Toyota Sequoia elevates the SUV model to new heights. The search Toyota Sequoia Futuristic Concept for 2030 offers a daring and fascinating glimpse into…

‘CROCODILE’ 2023 NEW Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe Inferno

Mercedes-Benz GLE 63S AMG Coupe with carbon fiber INFERNO aerodynamic body kit and Shark Style 2.0 lightweight forged wheels. A stylish combination of satin green color, carbon fiber details, and yellow…

2022 McLaren 765LT 755 HP Twin-Turbo V8, Monster

The McLaren 765LT is a supercar that makes track performance a priority and lets most creature comforts fall by the wayside. With a 755-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-8 mounted amidships, it’s wickedly quick, and its lightweight construction makes…

Apocalypse Dark Horse 6X6 Ford Bronco, Super Truck

The world’s first ever Dark Horse 6×6 is finished in black Kevlar armor and bronze accents. This is a real deal six-wheel drive super truck based on the…

Florida Woman, 93, Reached End of the Road After 567,000 Miles in Her 1964 Mercury

The title is not a catfish at all and that is right 567.000 miles or more than a trip to galaxy and back in the 1964 Mercury Comet…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *