BULLITT - SETTING NEW RECORDS

There have been many iconic film and TV featured cars, but few are as recognisable as the 1968 Highland Green GT390 Ford Mustang Fastback that appeared in Bullitt, driven by the King of Cool himself, Steve McQueen. Given the perennial popularity of the film, generations of viewers have marvelled at the gradually unfolding car chase between Police Lieutenant Frank Bullitt and the hitmen in their black Dodge Charger. However, unlike many movie cars that simply disappear are repurposed for later productions, much is known about the so-called 'Hero' car that McQueen drove during the making of Bullitt.

After sale and a couple of owners, including a real detective (!), from 1974 it went into long-term ownership by the Kiernan family, who so loved the car they even resisted several attempts by McQueen to purchase it. Finally resurfacing in 2016, it was recommissioned into roadworthy condition, with minimal disruption of its unrestored patina. Finally going to auction earlier this year, starting at $3500, the price it had been advertised for twice back in the Seventies, within 11 minutes of frenetic bidding it achieved a remarkable $3.4 million, ($3.74m with fees), making it the most expensive American muscle car to date.

Bullitt Mustang models have always been popular, but Greenlight Collectibles certainly nailed it this time with multi-scale replicas of the car in its unrestored state, complete with accurately replicated flat paint, rust and wear marks and a rusty rear bumper. They produce versions in 1:64, 1 :43, 1:24 and 1:18 scales (the first three are shown here). That's hedging your bets and then some. They're all equally nice, with wellapplied paint and accurately weathered finish and additional details as they get bigger. Ranging from £9 for the 1:64 version to £90 for the heavyweight 1 :18 scale one, there's one for every budget.