The 2014 film “Need for Speed” is not breath-taking, but at least it still looks good! And it does that better than any other movie: featuring a powerful engine and a timeless-style Ford Mustang. The hero car, a heavily modified 2013 Ford Mustang GT500, stole the show. This widebody kit roared into the hearts of viewers everywhere. Its engine was louder than the lead role in any Hollywood script, and it even appeared as one of many adrenaline-fuelled street races. But what happened to this iconic movie machine after the movie?
The filmmakers behind “Need for Speed” didn’t just have one hero Mustang. In fact, they built a fleet of seven wide-bodied 2014 Mustangs specifically for the film. These weren’t your average showroom models. Each car was extensively modified for performance and aesthetics, featuring custom bodywork, upgraded suspension, and, of course, plenty of horsepower. Some cars even had hidden secrets: for close-up shots highlighting the intricate details of the interior, the crew often used a different Mustang altogether, a meticulously crafted replica built on a static frame.
Mustang Need For Speed Movie
Filming an action movie with car chases is very likely to end in disaster. This was no different from “Need for Speed.” Because of the nature of the stunts and the fact that they were specially constructed, only a few of these Mustangs could actually make it through production. The destruction, however, was not always on purpose. Some behind-the-scenes reports say that a few Mustangs met with unforeseen accidents, such as being run into by stray tow trucks during filming and being left dead before they could even enter the final battle scene.
Thankfully, the hero Mustang, the one driven by the protagonist Tobey Marshall (played by Aaron Paul), managed to escape the fate. This hero car, a 2013 GT500, was to emerge from the film at least relatively unscathed.
Auction and Ownership: Dave Flynn’s Acquisition
In 2014, Ford capitalised on this excitement by auctioning off the car, with the auction money going to charity. The winning bidder, named Dave Flynn, as per reports, a well-known car dealership owner from Ohio, secured the iconic Mustang for a cool sum of money, reportedly exceeding over $500,000. But the story doesn’t end there. Flynn, a Mustang enthusiast himself, has since shown off his car at various automotive events.
While the hero car enjoyed a well-deserved post-filming life, the remaining Mustangs weren’t so lucky. Two of the seven were designated as promo cars, used for publicity purposes, and likely spared from intense stunts. These cars likely found their way back to Ford or were sold through private channels, their whereabouts are lost in a bit of mystery.
The Iconic Hero: Tobey Marshall’s 2013 GT500 Mustang
The remaining four cars, however, met their end on the unforgiving asphalt of the movie’s many chase scenes. These heavily modified and stunt-ready Mustangs were likely dismantled or scrapped after filming wrapped.
The “Need for Speed” Mustang went far beyond its role in the film. In fact, it has become not only a part of the film but also emblematic of it. It is also a memorial to the enduring legacy of the Mustang as a car that represents freedom, speed, and a bit of rebellion.
The car’s wide body kit, a signature design element to exaggerate its aggressive posturing, soon became an aftermarket favourite amongst Mustang owners. Inspired by the movie car, companies all over the world produced kits so that car enthusiasts could modify their own Mustangs up in its iconic look.
“Need for Speed” made the prototype mustang from film set scraps! Although it bore many visual similarities with a real Shelby, there was no official badging and Shelby mods on this movie car. Car enthusiasts didn’t miss that, either, and in 2023, a company named Shelby American introduced its own homage to the “Need for Speed” Mustang: the Shelby Super Snake.
This car boasted an 825 horsepower supercharged engine, a wide-body kit similar to the movie car, and a host of performance upgrades that made it a true beast on the road. While not an exact replica, the Shelby Super Snake offered enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of “Need for Speed” spirit in a brand new, officially licensed package. The car’s arrival further solidified the movie Mustang’s place in automotive pop culture.
Digital Evolution: “Need for Speed” in Gaming
The influence of the “Need for Speed” Mustang wasn’t limited to the film world. The idea of this car became fantastic material for a popular game, “Need for Speed.” In the game, players could transform their virtual Mustangs into movie versions–with new wide-body kits and other features. At least on one level, the film’s spirit was thus alive in digital realm.
There are still some unanswered questions surrounding the “Need for Speed” Mustangs. The exact whereabouts of the other two promo cars still remains a mystery, while some speculating they might be tucked away in a private collection or even back in Ford’s possession after filming.
There is far more to the “Need for Speed” Mustangs than just the story of a car used in a film. The film might not have been a box office hit, but the Mustang featured in it still catches one’s eye and continues to be a source of inspiration—both on screen and off.
