Lot 449: 1967 Ford Mustang 'Bullitt'

Few cars have captured a nation's imagination more than the Ford Mustang did when it was introduced in 1964. The original pony car, the Mustang established itself as one of the cult cars of the Sixties, thanks in part to its numerous high-visibility roles in a number of Hollywood films. Available in convertible, notchback and fastback guise, with 2.8 or 3.3 litre straight six and 4.2 or 4.7 litre V8 engines, it was to prove one of Ford's greatest ever sellers. In fact, the Mustang had the most successful car launch in automobile history, selling, in its first eighteen months, more than one million cars. If the Mustang was a popular car before, then the 1968 Steve McQueen film Bullitt turned it into an overnight legend. In one of the most spectacular car chases ever seen in a motion picture, Steve McQueen's maverick cop wowed audiences as he pursued two hitmen in a high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco. The resulting scene promptly became an unforgettable part of cinematic history, and cemented the Mustang in the public consciousness in a way which no other car had ever managed, save perhaps for the Aston Martin DB5's appearance in Goldfinger four years earlier. The example we are proud to offer here today is an original 390 GT Fastback converted to an exact replica of the famous Bullitt Mustang, and converted to right-hand drive using original Ford Australia parts. Originally manufactured in 1967 at Ford's Michigan plant, the car was later taken to the Philippines by an American Air Force serviceman based at Clark Field Air Base, located 80 km north of Manila. At the time, Clark Air Base was the most urbanised air base in history, and the largest overseas American air force base anywhere in the world. The car was purchased by the current owner in 2004, after which it was subjected to an exhaustive restoration project totalling over 2000 man-hours, with every part used either rebuilt or imported from the USA. Finished in the authentic Bullitt colour of Highland Green with a Black Deluxe interior and faux woodgrain inserts in the door panels and on the dash, the car is virtually indistinguishable from the original vehicle in which Steve McQueen raced through the streets of San Francisco. In addition, the engine has been fully overhauled, with new pistons, timing chains, bearings, oil pump, water pump and gaskets fitted. The heads area complete new set of Edelbrock Performer Series aluminium with crower cams, roller rockers and solid lifters, and the engine is fed by a 750cfm double-pumper Holley 4-barrel carburettor and aluminium Edelbrock manifold. The transmission, brakes, wheels, tyres and rear end have all been fully overhauled using correct parts. In addition, the car has been fitted with a new three-core radiator, power steering, Koni shock absolrbers, an export brace and Monte Carlo bar, front and reat heavy duty sway bars, and an overhead console with map lights and a faux woodgrain insert. These changes essentially mean that the car has been restored to a higher standard than the original cars produced by Ford in the 1960s. With the 40th Anniversary this year of Bullitt, even Ford Racing of the USA have reproduced and are heavily Marketing a brand new 2008 Bullitt Mustang. What we are offering here is the original, but better, including the look, sound, and even more - feel, of what Steve McQueen drove in the legendary car chase. A unique opportunity to relive a legendary scene from an all-time classic film, this is an opportunity simply too good to be missed!