Vitals

H.B. “Toby” Halicki as Maindrian Pace, insurance investigator and car thief

Long Beach, California, Spring 1974

Film: Gone in 60 Seconds
Release Date: July 28, 1974
Director: H.B. Halicki

WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

Background

Fifty years ago today on July 28, 1974, independent filmmaker and stunt driver H.B. “Toby” Halicki released Gone in 60 Seconds, a high-octane parade of car chases and crashes.

In addition to directing, writing, and producing the film on a $150,000 budget, Halicki also starred and did his own driving as Maindrian Pace, a curiously named car thief whose respectable day job as an insurance investigator covers his criminal activity.

Working with a ring of professionals, Pace is hired to steal 48 very specific cars ranging from limousines to semi-tractor trucks and even Parnelli Jones’ famous ’71 “Big Oly” Bronco. Each of the target cars is assigned a female codename, with the final car—a bumblebee-colored 1973 Ford Mustang—designated as “Eleanor”. Continue reading →