A STAR IS REBORN: 50TH ANNIVERSARY FORD MUSTANG BULLITT REVIVES SILVER SCREEN LEGEND WITH NEW LEVELS OF POWER
- New limited-edition Mustang Bullitt features retuned 5.0-liter V8 engine that packs at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque and tops out at 163 mph
- New version salutes 1968 movie car with effortlessly cool appearance, available classic Dark Highland Green exterior paint and subtle chrome accents; interior highlights include 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster and available RECARO® black leather-trimmed seats with unique green accent stitching
- Original 1968 Mustang GT fastback that starred alongside Steve McQueen in award-winning movie “Bullitt” drives onto Ford stage at North American International Auto Show, ending 40-year mystery about the film car’s whereabouts
DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2018 – Celebrating the 50th anniversary of iconic movie “Bullitt” and its fan-favorite San Francisco car chase, Ford introduces the new cool and powerful 2019 Mustang Bullitt.
Third-generation member of the McQueen family, Molly, starred in a special movie of her own introducing the new third-generation Bullitt at the North American International Auto Show. In the film, Molly races a new Mustang Bullitt through a parking structure battling a Dodge Charger for the final free space.
Helping it win that particular spot was the Bullitt’s upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine that will deliver at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, pushing the new Bullitt to a top speed of 163 mph – an 8 mph increase versus the latest Mustang GT.
Special Edition
As a special-edition model due out this summer – the all-new Mustang Bullitt is equipped with a manual transmission, and the gear shifter features a white cue ball shift knob as a nod to the original. The vehicle packages all Mustang GT Premium and Performance Package content into a vehicle that maintains the original Bullitt’s understated persona.
An active valve performance exhaust system is standard with new Black NitroPlate™ exhaust tips, and retuned to give the car a signature burble, as well as new Open Air Induction System and Shelby GT350 intake manifold with 87mm throttle bodies and powertrain control module calibration for optimal performance.
Other standard equipment includes a heated leather steering wheel and a 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster, identical in function to the cluster introduced on 2018 Mustang, but with a unique Bullitt welcome screen that starts in green with an image of the car rather than the pony.
“This new Bullitt is, as Steve McQueen was, effortlessly cool,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. “As a designer, it’s my favorite Mustang – devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges. It doesn’t need to scream about anything – it’s just cool.”
Exterior paint choices are limited to Shadow Black and the classic Dark Highland Green – as worn in the movie. Other features that pay tribute to the car McQueen drove are subtle chrome accents around the grille and front windows, classic torque thrust 19-inch aluminum wheels, red painted Brembo™ brakes, and a unique black front grille. Inside and out, the vehicle uses minimal badging; only the circular faux gas cap Bullitt logo on the rear center is visible on the exterior.
The leather-trimmed interior features unique green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, center console and seats.
Aside from the two exterior paint choices, Mustang Bullitt buyers are limited to three factory-installed options:
- Bullitt Electronics Package includes navigation, driver memory seats and mirrors, upgraded sound system and Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert that can alert customers of vehicles detected in difficult-to-see places
- MagneRide® semi-active suspension system optimizes driving performance
- RECARO® black leather-trimmed seats
“When making a Bullitt, there are certain things it absolutely must have,” said Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer. “It has to have the right attitude, it has to be unique in some way from a Mustang GT, and more than anything, it has to be bad ass.”
That reputation was born after a Mustang GT fastback played a prominent role in the 1968 movie, and most notably in a chase scene that set new standards in filmmaking. The film’s nearly 10-minute-long sequence followed McQueen chasing down two hitmen in his Mustang through the streets of San Francisco.
The Original
Two identical 1968 Mustang GT fastbacks were used in the filming of the classic Warner Bros. movie “Bullitt” that debuted in theaters on Oct. 17, 1968. After filming, the cars went their separate ways: the hero vehicle driven by McQueen in the movie was sold by Warner Bros. to a private buyer, and the other – used in many of the jumps during the famous chase scene – was sent to a salvage yard. That jumper vehicle resurfaced in Baja, California, in early 2017, but the other was lost to history. Until now.
Sean Kiernan, owner of the hero vehicle, inherited the car in 2014 from his late father, Robert, who had purchased the vehicle in 1974. To fulfill his family’s lifelong dream, Sean contacted Ford and the two parties worked together to reveal his movie star car alongside the all-new 2019 Mustang Bullitt at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“You know, it was never our intention to keep this car a secret from everybody,” Sean said. “It just kind of happened with life. I’m just completely buzzing to join with Ford and the new Bullitt and show this car to the world on one of the biggest stages there is.”
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SALE OF 2017 FORD GT AND 2019 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT RAISES $2.85 MILLION FOR CHARITY AT BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION
- First all-new Ford GT auctioned for charity raised $2.5 million to benefit Autism Society of North Carolina’s IGNITE program
- VIN 001 of the 2019 Mustang Bullitt model sold for $300,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s annual Scottsdale auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefiting Boys Republic
- Ford representatives including Mark Schaller, joined Chad McQueen, son of Hollywood actor Steve McQueen, to energize the crowd at the sale of the Mustang Bullitt
DEARBORN Mich., Jan. 22, 2018 – Two of the most iconic American performance cars – an all-new Ford GT and the recently unveiled limited-edition Mustang Bullitt – raised a total of $2.85 million for charity at the 47th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.
On Saturday, a 2017 Ford GT, donated by businessman Ron Pratte to the Evernham Family-Racing for a Reason Foundation, sold for $2.5 million to benefit Autism Society of North Carolina’s IGNITE program. An additional $50,000 was added to the sale of the Ford GT to benefit Autism Alliance of Michigan, bringing total dollars raised to $2.55 million.
On Friday, Ford and the Steve McQueen estate donated Mustang Bullitt, VIN 001, with 100 percent of the $300,000 hammer price benefiting Boys Republic.
“We were thrilled with the money raised for charity,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and president, North America. “Over the last several years, we’ve donated some incredible Ford Performance vehicles that have been sold to generate funds and build awareness for deserving charities. It was a privilege to represent the Ford family on the auction block and combine our efforts with Ron Pratte and the McQueen estate on the sale of these two incredible, rare and iconic Ford cars.”
In addition to the all-new GT, a Ford Performance Racing School GT Experience was also included. This world-class program improves the driving skills behind the wheel of one of the world’s most celebrated supercars, while also supporting individuals with autism. Greg Miller, part owner and member of the board of directors of Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, purchased the Ford GT to be a part of the family’s car collection.
Ford and the McQueen estate offered VIN 001 of the 2019 Mustang Bullitt to benefit Boys Republic, a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian school and treatment community for troubled youngsters. One hundred percent of the $300,000 hammer price is going to the organization to help children find the resources and skills to build meaningful lives on their own.
The all-new 2019 Mustang Bullitt (lot No. 3,006) made its debut last week at the North American International Auto Show. A prototype was shipped to Scottsdale, where it was driven on the Barrett-Jackson block by Chad McQueen, son of Hollywood star Steve McQueen.
“The Mustang Bullitt has been wildly popular since its unveiling in Detroit,” said Mark Schaller, Ford Mustang brand manager. “Both it and the Ford GT represent the pinnacle of Ford engineering and design. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor the Bullitt heritage than donating the car to Boys Republic, which was instrumental in helping Steve McQueen become an iconic Hollywood legend.”
NEW FORD MUSTANG BULLITT HEADED TO BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION FOR BOYS REPUBLIC CHARITY
- 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt with VIN 001 is being auctioned for charity Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST at Barrett-Jackson’s annual Scottsdale Auction
- 100 percent of Mustang Bullitt hammer price goes to the facility that helped Steve McQueen as a child – Boys Republic – a school and treatment community for youth at risk
- New special-edition Mustang Bullitt features retuned 5.0-liter V8 engine that packs at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque and tops out at 163 mph
DETROIT, Jan. 18, 2018 – Ford and the Steve McQueen estate are auctioning the first new Mustang Bullitt off the factory line to benefit Chino Hills, California-based Boys Republic, a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian school and treatment community for troubled youngsters.
VIN 001 of the limited-edition 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt will be available for charity auction Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST at Barrett-Jackson’s annual Scottsdale Auction.
Steve McQueen graduated from Boys Republic in 1946 before becoming a successful actor starring in the movie “Bullitt,” about troubled police detective Frank Bullitt, who also “made it.”
The “Bullitt” car chase scene around the streets of 1968 San Francisco is one of the most memorable ever, making the dark green fastback Mustang coupe driven by detective Frank Bullitt a movie icon. Ford recently found the original movie car used in the film.
One hundred percent of the 2019 Mustang Bullitt auction proceeds will be provided to Boys Republic to help children in desperate need find within themselves the resources and skills to begin meaningful lives on their own.
Since its founding in 1907, Boys Republic has guided more than 30,000 at-risk teenage boys and girls toward productive, fulfilling lives.
In partnership with Barrett-Jackson, the leader in collector car auction events, the 2019 Mustang Bullitt in signature Dark Highland Green will be one of the most sought-after cars up for auction at Collector Car Auction Week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For more information, or to register and bid on the new 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt up for charity auction, please visit Barrett-Jackson’s auction listing
(https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/FORD-CHARITY-VEHICLE-215928)