However, the film does draw inspiration from real-life car thieves and the "muscle car" culture of the 1970s.
Here's what's true:
* Car theft was a serious problem in the 1970s: The era saw a rise in car theft, particularly of muscle cars, which were highly desirable and easy to sell on the black market.
* "Muscle car" culture existed: There was a real subculture of car enthusiasts who loved high-performance muscle cars like those featured in the film.
* Real-life car thieves existed: While no single individual is known to have pulled off a feat like the film's protagonist, many skilled thieves specialized in stealing specific types of cars.
Ultimately, "Gone in 60 Seconds" is a fictional story with elements drawn from the reality of car theft in the 1970s. The film's high-octane action and thrilling car chases are a fictionalized and amplified version of the real-life dangers and excitement associated with the car theft scene.