The Bullitt Mustang: A Legend in Automotive History
The Bullitt Mustang is one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time, and its story is deeply entwined with American popular culture. The car made its debut in the 1968 film “Bullitt,” starring Steve McQueen, and has since become a symbol of cool and ruggedness. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the history of the Bullitt Mustang and what makes it so special.
The Making of “Bullitt”
The film “Bullitt” was released in 1968 and was directed by Peter Yates. The movie starred Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt, a tough-as-nails San Francisco police detective who is tasked with protecting a witness in a mob trial. The film is best remembered for its high-speed car chase scene through the streets of San Francisco, which features McQueen driving a 1968 Mustang GT Fastback.
The Mustang GT Fastback used in the film was specially modified for the chase scene. It was fitted with a larger engine, a four-speed manual transmission, and heavy-duty suspension components, among other modifications. The car was painted in a dark green color, which came to be known as “Highland Green,” and it was given a unique hood scoop and black racing stripes.
The car chase scene in “Bullitt” is widely regarded as one of the greatest in cinema history. It was shot in real-time and used minimal editing, giving it a raw, authentic feel that was far removed from the over-the-top car chases of later action movies. The scene was so memorable that it has been referenced and parodied in countless other films and TV shows over the years.
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The Legacy of the Bullitt Mustang
The Bullitt Mustang quickly became a cult classic, and its popularity only grew in the years following the release of “Bullitt.” The car became a symbol of the counterculture movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it was embraced by a new generation of car enthusiasts who were drawn to its raw power and style.
In 2001, Ford introduced a special edition Bullitt Mustang as a tribute to the original car from the film. The 2001 Bullitt Mustang was based on the Mustang GT and was offered in two colors: Dark Highland Green (the same color as the car in the film) and True Blue. The special edition Mustang featured a number of performance upgrades, including a larger engine, improved suspension, and a specially tuned exhaust system. It was an instant hit with Mustang enthusiasts and sold out almost immediately. And let’s not forget the cool wheels.
In 2008, Ford introduced another special edition Bullitt Mustang to mark the 40th anniversary of the film. The 2008 Bullitt Mustang was based on the latest generation Mustang and offered a number of performance upgrades, including a larger engine, improved suspension, and a special exhaust system. It was offered in two colors: Dark Highland Green and Black. The 2008 Bullitt Mustang was well received by Mustang enthusiasts and sold out quickly.
In 2019, Ford introduced yet another special edition Bullitt Mustang to mark the 50th anniversary of the film. The 2019 Bullitt Mustang was based on the latest generation Mustang and offered a number of performance upgrades, including a larger engine, improved suspension, and a special exhaust system. It was offered in one color: Dark Highland Green. The 2019 Bullitt Mustang was a hit with Mustang enthusiasts and sold out quickly.
Why the Bullitt Mustang is So Special
The Bullitt Mustang is special for many reasons. First and foremost, it is a direct link to one of the greatest car chase scenes in cinema history. The car’s raw power and style have made it a symbol of cool and ruggedness, and it continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages.