Unless you were in a coma, you have probably heard about this week’s automotive equivalent of finding the Ark of the Covenant.  For their debut of the 2019 Bullitt Mustang, Ford also revealed the long lost hero car from the film.  One of only two Mustangs documented to be from the movie Bullitt, this car has been hidden from public view for over 40 years.  The story of this legendary car, told by the original owner and driven by Jay Leno in this YouTube clip, has spawned numerous tribute cars over the years, and is likely one of the forces driving up the costs of 1967-1968 Mustang fastbacks.  If this turn of events inspires you to build your own Bullitt Mustang to prowl the streets in, this 1968 Ford Mustang fastback may be the starting point for your project.  Found in Orlando, Florida on eBay, the auction on this car will last another three days, and the price is only up to $8,600 as of this writing.  While in less than pristine shape, this neglected pony car deserves the chance to play the starring role in your automotive life.

The two original movie cars, with sequential serial numbers, were provided to Solar, which was Steve Mc Queen’s production company, by Ford.  While they were delivered as they came from the factory, the cars ultimately differed from showroom versions in a number of ways.  The 390 cubic inch V-8s were retained, along with the four speed manual transmissions.  However, the suspensions were beefed up and Koni shocks were added to handle the aggressive driving in the movie.  Furthermore, the factory exhaust systems were replaced with straight pipes to make the cars sound much more aggressive.  Both of the cars were somewhat de-chromed to make them look more sinister, and the Mustang symbol in the grill was removed.  The factory wheels were also removed, and replaced with Torq Thrust D mag wheels.  Inside, the black interiors with woodgrain trim were retained, but the steering wheels had wooden rims and was the same type you found on a 1967 Shelby Mustang (although the steering wheel seen in the chase scene looks to have a black rubber covered rim).

Other than the above, the differences between the two cars were based upon each car’s intended use.  The hero car was used for much of the filming, and was modified for such things as carrying a camera.  The stunt car was heavily reinforced to take the pounding abuse we see in the famous chase scene.  This car was believed to be beaten beyond repair by the abuse Mc Queen and the stunt crew dished out, and the general consensus was that it was scrapped.  Amazingly, the car was recently found in Mexico, and is being restored.  While repairing the damage will essentially make it like George Washington’s axe (on its third head and fifth handle), there is enough car there to justify the effort.

So, would this Mustang make a suitable replica?  Well, for starters, 1968 is the right year.  The seller also tells us that the floors, rocker boxes, and strut towers are all “solid.”  From there, differences abound.  Under the hood, the 302 J code engine is not the 390 S code in the Bullitt cars, and the transmission is an automatic instead of a four speed manual.  While the seller states that it is a numbers matching car, a 390 under the hood would be nice.  The options on this car include air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.  To round out the differences, this car left the factory bathed in Seafoam Green, with a green interior.  While nice, Seafoam Green is not quite as menacing as Highland Green Metallic.

As you can see from the pictures, the car does have a fair amount of surface rust underneath, and the pictures hint at problems elsewhere.  Especially noticeable is the rust through in the trunk area, and the seller tells us that they could not get the trunk open.  However, a borescope showed the missing A/C parts trapped inside.  Regardless of claims that the car is “solid,” any wise Mustang buyer will thoroughly inspect any purchase.  Mustangs and rust sadly go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Inside, the claims that the interior was originally green seem to be a bit puzzling.  Perhaps the seller meant Aqua, which was the only factory interior color that comes close to what we see here.  Regardless, the interior will likely require a number of replacement parts, as the carpet, plastic, and vinyl haven’t held up very well.  The good news is that there are a number of Mustang parts suppliers around that would be happy for you to trade them some folding money for the interior of your choice, whether that be Aqua or Black.

Under the hood rests the factory 302 engine, and little else.  In describing the engine, the seller lets us know that it will need rebuilding, but it is original to the car.  Beyond that obvious news, there is no mention of the other missing parts besides the previous mention of the trapped A/C components.  Given that the car was last registered in 1984, and the previous owner was 14 years old when he bought it, the parts could be anywhere.  The ad states in all caps that the car is being sold as is, where is, with no warranty implied.  In other words, don’t cry if everything isn’t there, or anything on the car is not how you imagined it.

The missing components are a big deal.  If they are all there, and they are original to the car, then the car is pretty good candidate for an “as built” restoration.  However, if these absent parts have been scattered to the wind, why not make it a Bullitt tribute car?  Movie or no movie, these fastbacks look fantastic in Highland Green and a set of Torq Thrusts.  The interior will require replacement anyway, so why not order all the required components in black?  Finally, there are more than a few homeless 390 V-8s out there, and an upgrade to a newer five or six speed manual wouldn’t result in you being haunted by Steve Mc Queen’s ghost.

A Bullitt Mustang is one of those uniquely American icons that tells everyone who we are as a nation.  Speaking to both our love for movies and our insane passion for fast cars packing screaming, high horsepower V-8s, Bullitt Mustangs are as much a symbol of America as the Conestoga wagon, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and the Saturn V moon rocket.  It is only fitting that Americans are still in love with these magnificent muscle cars fifty years after the movie hit the silver screen.  Given how the debut in Detroit turned the automotive world upside down, Steve Mc Queen probably has the biggest smile in heaven this week.