Ford Mustang Bullitt

The iconic 1968 Ford Mustang Steve Mcqueen drove in Bullitt was recently auctioned off at a record R54 million. Dieter Losskarn took the 50th anniversary model for a spin – minus the pressures of a high-speed car chase

IT WAS QUITE A MOMENT FOR PETROLHEADS AND MOVIE AFICIONADOS.

In January 2018, Ford announced that they’d finally found the original Steve Mcqueen-driven Highland Green Mustang 390 GT

Fastback from the 1968 movie Bullitt.

Thanks to director Peter Yates, it’s part of one of cinema history’s longest and most legendary car chases. In the scene, which lasted close to 11 minutes, Mcqueen had the windows rolled down, so viewers could see him behind the wheel hunting down the villain’s Dodge Charger 440 Magnum around the streets of San Francisco.

After he hit a parked car, missed a turn and reversed with smoking tyres (all of which remained in the movie), Hollywood stunt driver Bud Ekins was asked by Yates to do some of the driving instead – something Mcqueen wasn’t too excited about. Maybe he got into his character too much.

Fast forward six decades and the discovery of the original, unrestored and patinated vehicle – which had been in a family garage since 1974 and hadn’t been driven since the early ’80s because the clutch didn’t work – ‘coincided’ perfectly with Ford’s launch of an updated limitededition model to commemorate the movie’s 50th anniversary.

There’ve been Bullitt Mustangs before, but the one I drove down Bainskloof Pass is the first right-hand-drive version ever.

There’s a bit of the Mustang Shelby GT350 in this car and the power’s been increased to 338kw, up by 7kw from the regular version. It’s still not a proper sports car, but more like a fast cruiser. It obviously comes in the same iconic colour as the OG ’60s model: Highland Green. However, this one appears darker, more sinister and almost more menacing than the original.

The galloping horse motif, even in the grille, has been replaced by Bullitt logos. I love the ones with chrome accents, on the blackened 48cm alloy wheels, in particular, with alarmingly red-calliper

Brembo brakes.

Inside it’s pure standard Mustang GT, except for some updated details, such as bucket seats with green stitching.

But the biggest difference is the manual six-speed gearbox with a cool, white, cue ball gear lever. The sound of this showstopper’s absolutely awesome and makes the car’s presence known wherever you find yourself revving its V8 engine. The car is attention-seeking and eye-catching. Avid fans might try to stop you while screaming, ‘Bullitt!’

Unfortunately, all 50 models allocated to South Africa sold out immediately and are now collector’s items.

You could either buy the regular GT with the same engine and in Shadow

Black, or wait for the 60th-anniversary model in 2028 – but, chances are, it won’t feature the beloved, roaring V8.