THE 1968 BULLITT MUSTANG

    1968 Ford Mustang Fastback 'Bullitt' Replica
    In 1968, Steve McQueen thrilled theater audiences with one of the most memorable car chases ever to grace the screen.  Driving a sinister-looking Mustang Fastback, the actor -- as Lt. Frank Bullitt -- careened over the streets of San Francisco at high speeds in pursuit of a pair of mob hit men.

    Just like the most famous Mustang Fastback in the world, Dave Kunz's "Bullitt" replica came from the factory with Ford's 390-cubic-inch big block engine, four-speed transmission and, most importantly, the "Highland Green" exterior color.
    Sold at California Motors Ford in Glendale, Calif., in July 1968, the car was owned by the original purchasers until 1986.  Kunz, a photographer for KABC-TV in Los Angeles, bought the car in 1992 in mostly original condition. It still had all its GT factory equipment intact, including slotted steel wheels, fog lamps, quad exhaust tips and C-stripes on the sides.  With just 87,000 miles on the odometer, the car was in excellent shape, even sporting the factory exhaust system.
    When the 1994 Northridge earthquake struck, the Mustang suffered paint damage from a falling shop light.  The car was repainted in the original Highland Green color, but the white C-stripes were left off so that transformation to Bullitt-replica status could begin.  American Racing wheels were added and the chrome trim was removed from the grille.  Other subtle touches were employed to finish off the look.  The car has been featured in Randy Leffingwell's book "Mustang," as well as in Mustang and Fords and Mustang Monthly magazines.

    In 1997, Ford of Europe launched its new Puma with an advertising campaign built around the "Bullitt" chase scene.  Its agency, Young and Rubicam, spent six days in San Francisco filming the Puma in various locations.  At the end of the 60-second spot, the Puma is backed into a garage next to Kunz's Mustang.  In the finished commercial, McQueen's image is digitally imposed into the Puma as if he were driving the car.
    The Mustang returned to San Francisco in 1999, this time as part of a European automotive media event to launch the Puma.  Ford photographed the Mustang and Puma together at various locations in the city to continue the "Bullitt" theme that is now associated with Puma all over Europe.
    Wherever the "Bullitt" replica goes in Southern California -- whether attending the annual Fabulous Fords Forever show at Knott's Berry Farm, taking in cruise night at the historic Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake, or tooling down the Hollywood Freeway -- it's almost always recognized for its resemblance to the Mustang that McQueen drove on the big screen.

    Where is the Real 'Bullitt' Mustang?
    For the filming of "Bullitt," two 1968 Mustang Fastbacks were used from the Warner Brothers fleet for actor Steve McQueen's movie character.

    Once the Mustangs were selected, veteran race driver and builder Max Balchowski was enlisted to modify the cars for the rigors of the high-speed pursuit scenes.  Balchowski added stronger springs and Koni shocks, and he fabricated braces for the inner fenders.  He also did some minor tuning to the 390-cubic-inch engine for a little more top-end power.
    After filming was completed, the primary car was in sad shape.  Two weeks of stunt driving had taken its toll on the Mustang, so it was sent to the crusher due to liability concerns.  The remaining car, the less-damaged backup, was sold to an employee of Warner Brothers' editing department.
    In the early 1970s, the car was advertised in a classified ad in The Los Angeles Times for the then princely sum of $6,000.  A buyer was found and the car eventually made its way to the East Coast.
    The Mustang went up for sale again in 1974, this time in an ad in Road & Track.  It is reported that Steve McQueen himself called the New Jersey number in the ad with a desire to purchase the car for his own collection.  He was told the car had been sold, but was given the name and number of the buyer.

    McQueen tried to persuade the new owner to resell it, but to no avail. The new owner did promise to contact him if he ever did decide to sell. McQueen died in 1980 with no contact from the owner.
    Whenever contacted by prospective buyers or media, the owner has refused offers of purchase or publicity.  The car has been in non-running condition for some time.
    The car remained in New Jersey until the mid-1990s, when it was moved to a farm in the Ohio River Valley.  Parked in a hay barn, the Mustang remained inoperable, still wearing New Jersey tags.  A film company recently made an offer to the owner for its use in a motion picture.  The owner declined.

    Sources:  Max Balchowski, Bill Norton, Robert Relyea, Jim Smart

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Last modified: February 12, 2001