Bullitt is for sale: The 1968 Ford Mustang from ‘Bullitt’ heads to auction

The 1968 Ford Mustang GT hero car from the legendary film “Bullitt” will finally go up for sale at the Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida. 

The time has finally come: Here’s your chance to own the Bullitt Mustang. No, not the one your neighbor owns, or even the one in your garage, but the 1968 Ford Mustang GT that you watched Steve McQueen rip around San Francisco in.

Post-Bullitt, this Mustang had long been out of the public eye; movie cars tend to disappear after their time spent on set is over. However, this long-hidden Mustang jumped back into the public consciousness alongside the latest-generation of “Bullitt” edition Mustangs at the 2018 Detroit auto show. 

Another Bullitt Mustang, one used for stunt work, was also rediscovered a few years back in a wrecking yard in Mexico.

This 390-cid, V8-powered, Highland green fastback Mustang passed through a few hands before joining long-term owner Bob Kiernan’s collection. And, despite some actor’s failed attempts to purchase the car back from Kiernan, the Mustang wasn’t going anywhere fast. Kiernan also had the foresight to not attempt an extensive amateur or professional restoration of the Mustang: Instead, the car wears most of the battle scars from the film and its life after the silver screen.

Since its resurfacing, this Mustang has made a victory lap of sorts: It was featured at the Detroit auto show, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the National Mall, when it was inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register. This Mustang also saw some screen time in an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage.” Of course, it was also featured prominently in the 1968 film “Bullitt,” but you knew that already.  

After Kiernan’s death, his son Sean fastidiously preserved the Mustang, just like his father had. Despite its unrestored condition, there have been a few mechanical repairs and some cosmetic changes. Namely, the car’s original air cleaner, shift knob and steering wheel were all stolen and then replaced. The engine was also rebuilt, but through every project Kiernan and his son used as many original parts as possible.

While Mecum is announcing this during the string of high-profile auctions taking place in Monterey, California, you won’t need to scramble to secure the funds just yet. The Bullitt Mustang will cross the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida, sale Jan. 2-12, 2020. That should give you enough time to talk to your accountant and juggle some funds or unlock that bottomless line of credit.

It’s hard to estimate what a car like the Bullitt Mustang will demand, but it’s safe to assume that it will not be cheap.

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