Ask any movie buff to list his or her favorite car chase scenes, and there’s little doubt which one would be top of the pile – Steve McQueen’s race through the undulating streets of San Francisco in the 1968 Warner Brothers motion picture, Bullitt. The car Steve was driving in that most memorable chase scene was a Ford Mustang, a model that has appeared on screen more often than many of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In the movie, San Francisco cop Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen realizes he’s being followed, doubles back and closes on the pursuing Dodge Charger from behind, thus triggering what is widely considered the greatest car chase ever filmed. Both cars raced through San Francisco’s streets at speeds of up to a genuine 110mph. Drivers used were Carey Loftin, Steve’s friend Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen himself, who later remarked: ‘The things we did in the streets with these automobiles, I don’t think will be done again for a long, long time.’ To commemorate this iconic movie moment, Ford Motor Company, home to many Bullitt fans, introduced a concept car at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show that recalled the color and styling cues of the original. The response from the public was overwhelming, and it was decided to commission a limited run of 5,000 cars. Introduced for 2001, most of the Mustang Bullitt GTs were finished in the appropriate shade of Highland Green, with True Blue and black options also available. Other exterior enhancements connecting the 2001 Mustang Bullitt GT with the film’s 1968 Fastback included unique side scoops, 17” Torq Thrust-style Bullitt aluminum wheels and lowered suspension, together with rocker-panel moldings further enhancing its ground-hugging appearance. The C-pillars and quarter panel moldings were uniquely modified and a brushed-aluminum fuel filler placed prominently on the quarter panel. ‘Bullitt’ badging and polished-rolled tailpipes further distinguished the car. The stock Mustang’s 281cu in (4.6-liter) fuel-injected V8 engine was raised in horsepower for the Bullitt GT, delivering its maximum of 265bhp at 5,000 revs via a five-speed manual transmission and Traction-Lok differential. The Bullitt’s lowered and re-valved suspension managed this power with ease, generating a firmer, better-balanced ride and improved handling characteristics. Impressive stopping capability came courtesy of 13” Brembo front brake rotors and performance calipers, the latter painted red and visible through the spokes of the 17” wheels. Inside, the Bullitt GT’s interior featured bucket sport seats upholstered in Dark Charcoal leather, with brushed aluminum shifter ball, shifter bezel, door sill plates (with ‘Bullitt’ script) and pedal covers further accentuating the car’s high-performance character. The instrument cluster boasted unique curved numeric speedometer graphics and a white-lit background. In 2002 Ford Motor Company auctioned off many of its concept cars including Bullitt GT ‘04’, which fetched $68,150, while the production models commonly sold for above the $26,230 list price. Around 5,500 examples of this one-year-only model were made. 'O1' and '02' were reserved for McQueen's family. The car offered here, chassis number ‘03’, was given to the vendor, its sole owner from new, as a gift from the Ford Motor Company for his participation in the 'Bullitt'- Ford media launch. The special commemorative plaque is engraved with the legend: ‘“Bullitt” Mustang McQueen 03 of 5,000 From The Ford Motor Company To Roger Richman’. Offered complete with tool kit, owner’s manual and State of California Certificate of Title, the car has covered a mere 2,125 miles from new and is presented in a condition commensurate with this low mileage.
Ask any movie buff to list his or her favorite car chase scenes, and there’s little doubt which one would be top of the pile – Steve McQueen’s race through the undulating streets of San Francisco in the 1968 Warner Brothers motion picture, Bullitt. The car Steve was driving in that most memorable chase scene was a Ford Mustang, a model that has appeared on screen more often than many of Hollywood’s biggest stars. In the movie, San Francisco cop Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen realizes he’s being followed, doubles back and closes on the pursuing Dodge Charger from behind, thus triggering what is widely considered the greatest car chase ever filmed. Both cars raced through San Francisco’s streets at speeds of up to a genuine 110mph. Drivers used were Carey Loftin, Steve’s friend Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen himself, who later remarked: ‘The things we did in the streets with these automobiles, I don’t think will be done again for a long, long time.’ To commemorate this iconic movie moment, Ford Motor Company, home to many Bullitt fans, introduced a concept car at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show that recalled the color and styling cues of the original. The response from the public was overwhelming, and it was decided to commission a limited run of 5,000 cars. Introduced for 2001, most of the Mustang Bullitt GTs were finished in the appropriate shade of Highland Green, with True Blue and black options also available. Other exterior enhancements connecting the 2001 Mustang Bullitt GT with the film’s 1968 Fastback included unique side scoops, 17” Torq Thrust-style Bullitt aluminum wheels and lowered suspension, together with rocker-panel moldings further enhancing its ground-hugging appearance. The C-pillars and quarter panel moldings were uniquely modified and a brushed-aluminum fuel filler placed prominently on the quarter panel. ‘Bullitt’ badging and polished-rolled tailpipes further distinguished the car. The stock Mustang’s 281cu in (4.6-liter) fuel-injected V8 engine was raised in horsepower for the Bullitt GT, delivering its maximum of 265bhp at 5,000 revs via a five-speed manual transmission and Traction-Lok differential. The Bullitt’s lowered and re-valved suspension managed this power with ease, generating a firmer, better-balanced ride and improved handling characteristics. Impressive stopping capability came courtesy of 13” Brembo front brake rotors and performance calipers, the latter painted red and visible through the spokes of the 17” wheels. Inside, the Bullitt GT’s interior featured bucket sport seats upholstered in Dark Charcoal leather, with brushed aluminum shifter ball, shifter bezel, door sill plates (with ‘Bullitt’ script) and pedal covers further accentuating the car’s high-performance character. The instrument cluster boasted unique curved numeric speedometer graphics and a white-lit background. In 2002 Ford Motor Company auctioned off many of its concept cars including Bullitt GT ‘04’, which fetched $68,150, while the production models commonly sold for above the $26,230 list price. Around 5,500 examples of this one-year-only model were made. 'O1' and '02' were reserved for McQueen's family. The car offered here, chassis number ‘03’, was given to the vendor, its sole owner from new, as a gift from the Ford Motor Company for his participation in the 'Bullitt'- Ford media launch. The special commemorative plaque is engraved with the legend: ‘“Bullitt” Mustang McQueen 03 of 5,000 From The Ford Motor Company To Roger Richman’. Offered complete with tool kit, owner’s manual and State of California Certificate of Title, the car has covered a mere 2,125 miles from new and is presented in a condition commensurate with this low mileage.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
