It seems to go from bad to worse for Carroll Shelby and his many companies. First it was the help Shelby vs Unique Performance drama, which mind you is still going on, but now reports out of Hollywood from TMZ.com are that Denise Halicki, the daughter of Toby Halicki (1974, Gone in 60 Seconds) has filed a lawsuit claiming Carroll Shelby, Carroll Shelby International , Carroll Shelby Licensing, Carroll Shelby Engineering Inc, Carroll Shelby Motors Inc, Carroll Shelby Distribution Int. Inc, Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, Unique Motorcars Inc., Unique Performance Inc. and Sanderson Sales & Marketing as Defendants.
Halicki is claiming since the remake of the original film there has been a “blatant theft of Eleanor” by manufacturing, marketing and selling of unauthorised “knock offs” of “Eleanor” featured in the remake.
Click here to read the court fillings obtained by TMZ.com
It’s a bit baffling that this has only come to light now, seven years after the movie. Either way it’s more unwanted attention for Carroll Shelby and Unique Performance.
[...] This latest news has to be another kick in the guts for the Texas based Unique Performance who are facing criminal charges for alleged title washing not to mention court action for breach of copyright on the ‘Eleanor’ name. The latest news in is Unique is going chapter 7 (liquidation of all assets). From all accounts Unique Performance is dead. [...]
[...] The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will finally hear the case between Denice Halicki and Carroll Shelby and his fellow defendants. In the case Ms Halicki alleges that Carroll Shelby knowingly and deliberately sought to capitalize on and exploit “Eleanor’s” fame from the movie, even though the defendants had no association with, participation in, or connection with the creation or development of the movie or “Eleanor”. [...]