The iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT, Steve McQueen's ride in the movie "Bullitt," sold for $3.4 million at auction on Friday. The car was sold at the Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida.
The car has belonged to the Kiernan family since the early 1970s when the car was purchased by Robert Kiernan of Madison, New Jersey for just $6,000.
Steve McQueen reportedly tried to buy it back from him, but Kiernan refused to sell it back.
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The Bullitt Mustang ended up staying in the Kiernan family's D.C.-area garage for decades. Upon Kiernan's passing in 2014, the car was passed down to his son Sean who was inspired to get the car back up and running.
Sean Kiernan restored the car in secret on his own before unveiling it to the public. News4's Leon Harris rode shotgun in the car with Kiernan in 2018 before the car went up for auction.
The car chase in "Bullitt" remains one of the most memorable car chases in cinema history, setting the standard for car chases to come.
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The Bullitt Mustang ended up staying in the Kiernan family's D.C.-area garage for decades. Upon Kiernan's passing in 2014, the car was passed down to his son Sean who was inspired to get the car back up and running. Sean Kiernan restored the car in secret on his own before unveiling it to the public.
Two Mustang GT 390s were modified for the making of Bullitt – which included a dark Highland Green paint scheme, no exterior badges, scoops or spoilers and adorned with a black-mesh grille absent of Ford's iconic pony badging. Of the two, this is the only surviving car.
Based on the 2001 Mustang GT, the limited-production Bullitt featured a 4.6-liter V-8 tweaked for better airflow and power, including a cast-aluminum intake, twin 57-mm bore throttle body and high-flow mufflers.
The bad guys drive a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum. The Charger is just barely faster than the Mustang, with a 13.6-second quarter-mile to a 13.8-second.
Unfortunately, according to CBS, that was just some dramatic license. The telecast featured two authentic 1968 Mustangs, but neither is the car from the film.
Bullitt Mustangs were made in limited numbers (only 5500 for 2001) so just the exclusivity adds to the price. They also come with modifications to the engine, brakes, gear ratio, suspension, exhaust, wheels, interior and exterior cosmetics.
A dull green 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the movie “Bullitt” just became the most valuable Ford Mustang ever sold at auction. It went for $3.7 million, including auction fees, at the annual Mecum collector car auction in Kissimmee, Florida.
One of the unique elements that distinguish the Bullitt edition from other Mustang models is the wheels. The 2019 Mustang Bullitt features 19-inch, five-spoke Torq-Thrust-style wheels, reminiscent of the movie car, wrapped in Michelin's performance rubber, ready for any film-like chase scene you might imagine.
First Ever Production 2024 Ford Mustang GT Raised Over Half a Million Dollars for Charity. The first 2024 Ford Mustang, VIN 001, sold at auction for $490,000 over the weekend during the Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale, Arizona event on Sunday, January 28th.
After shooting was complete, the surviving hero car was returned to the dealer, who repainted it yellow and sold it. And so it was for a few decades. But in 2002, 51-year-old Mopar fanatic Arnold Welch purchased what he believed to be the "Bullitt" Charger, in Tucson, Arizona.
These are just a few of the countless stories as the nation fell in love with the Mustang. Within four months more than 100,000 Mustangs had been sold and the car had taken its place among the top five automobiles in sales volume.
Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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