A New Year, A New Mustang

Fifty years after starring alongside Steve McQueen in the iconic movie “BULLITT,” the original 1968 Mustang GT Fastback appears on stage at the North American International Auto Show alongside the powerful, technology-packed 2019 Mustang BULLITT.

Many Mustang fans are very familiar with the American movie and specifically the iconic San Francisco car chase. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie “BULLITT,” the new Mustang BULLITT will now rumble in cities around the world.

The new Mustang BULLITT salutes the 1968 movie car with understated appearance, available classic Dark Highland Green exterior paint and subtle chrome accents. It enhances these classic elements with the features that make today’s Mustang the best-selling sports car in the world. The 2019 model is the third generation of the Mustang BULLITT. Previous versions were sold in 2001 and 2008.

A New Engine

The 2019 Mustang BULLITT is equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine that will deliver at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The only transmission offered will be a manual 6-speed. The gear shifter will feature a cue ball shift knob; a nod to the original.

Exterior color choices are Shadow Black and the classic Dark Highland Green which was the color of the original Mustang used in the movie. Other features that pay tribute to the car Steve McQueen drove are subtle chrome accents on the outer edge of the wheels, grille and windows. 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 Mustang BULLITT will share the same standard equipment as the Mustang GT Premium and the GT Performance Package. Active valve performance exhaust system is standard with new Black NitroPlateT exhaust tips, and it is 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. Also standard is a 12-inch LCD digital instrument cluster with a unique Mustang BULLITT welcome screen.

In addition to information on the 2019 Mustang BULLITT, we thought you might enjoy this timeline and trivia regarding the original 1968 Mustang used in the movie:

1968 – Warner Brothers purchases two 1968 Mustang GT Fastbacks for BULLITT movie production: VIN 8R02S125558 (‘558) and 8R02S125559 (‘559).

1968 – Warner Brothers employee Robert Ross purchases ‘559.
1970 – Robert sells ‘559 to New Jersey police detective Frank Marranca for $6,000
1974 – Frank sells ‘559 to Robert and Robbie Kiernan for $6,000. The Kiernans uses ‘559 as their family car until 1980.
1977 – Kiernans decline Steve McQueen’s offer to buy ‘559.
1978 – Robbie purchases New Jersey “BULITT” vanity plates as a gift to Robert.
1989 – ‘559 follows its owners to a new home in Kentucky, and six years later on another move to Tennessee.
2001 – Robert and his 20-year-old son Sean Kiernan start restoring ‘559.
2016 – On July 4, Sean completes rebuild of ‘559 and starts it for the first time.
2017 – ‘559 is reunited with McQueen family when Steve McQueen’s granddaughter, Molly McQueen, meets with Sean in Ford Design studio in Dearborn, MI.
2018 – Sean reveals ‘559 in Detroit for the 50th anniversary of the movie in conjunction with Ford’s announcement of the 2019 Mustang Bullitt.

The 2019 Mustang BULLITT will be available Summer 2018.

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