Recently many people were surprised by the identity of the 1968 Bullitt Ford Mustang and its astonishing history, as it was once driven by Steve McQueen in the critically acclaimed movie “Bullitt”. The car was very important to Mr. McQueen for personal reasons, and he didn’t wish for it to be restored as he wanted it in its original condition from the film. Being a automobile enthusiast and racer, Mr. McQueen just had to buy the 1968 Ford Mustang, especially because of the epic chase scene the car was in during Bullitt.
“The rediscovery of the Bullitt Mustang is huge in the car world, said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty (the world’s largest classic car insurer), as he tells us more about the significance of the Bullitt Mustang. Many people consider the chase scene featuring it to be one of the best, if not the best, car chase scenes of all time. The mystery of where it’s been for 40 years only adds to its allure. There were only two Mustangs used for filming, and this was the one actually driven by Steve McQueen, the ‘King of Cool.’ Everyone probably assumed it was gone for good, and now it turns up in mostly unrestored condition, modifications made for filming, and with the original interior, including the seats McQueen himself sat in. That’s remarkable.”
McKeel added, “valuing a vehicle that is among the most cherished movie cars of all time is difficult, if not impossible. It’s ultimately worth what someone will pay for it. Steve McQueen is such an icon in the car world, though, that we expect a lot of interest in owning it, which will increase its price, if in fact the owner sells it. We saw the same thing happen with other iconic TV and movie cars like the original Batmobile, which sold for $4.6M in 2013, and the James Bond Aston Martin DB5, which sold for $4.1M in 2010. It would not be surprising if the Bullitt – were it to come to auction – would be in a similar range.”
Though Mr. McQueen wrote a letter to buy the car, his offer was refused; after more than four decades since it last surfaced, that legendary car has again reemerged in the world with an incredible story to tell. To learn the full story of the car and why it has been such a long time since it attracted the spotlight, visit: Hagerty.com
Image credit: Casey Maxon
