Famous Bullitt Mustang to be offered at no reserve at Jan. 10 auction

(December 11, 2019) The 1968 Ford Mustang GT Hero Car driven by Steve McQueen in the classic film “Bullitt,”will be offered at auction with no reserve this January at Mecum Kissimmee 2020, which will take place Jan. 2-12 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Mustang will be auctioned on Jan. 10.

One of just two Mustangs used to fill the role in the 1968 Action/Thriller “Bullitt,” the car to be offered by Mecum was the film’s “hero” car and was driven by actor Steve McQueen in countless scenes throughout the movie, including in the infinitely famous car chase scene, which went on to become the most influential car chase scene in all of film history.

After the filming of “Bullitt” concluded, this car was sold to a private buyer and was thought lost to history until its unveiling for the 50th anniversary of “Bullitt” just last year. The car — considered by many to be the world’s single most recognizable and celebrated vintage Mustang — remains in original and running condition and retains many distinguishable and unique elements from the movie.

Mecum Kissimmee 2020 will take place at Osceola Heritage Park featuring an estimated 3,500 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, Hot Rods, Resto Mods and more, as well as other movie-star cars including the studio-designated Eleanor “Dream Car” from “Gone in 60 Seconds.”

Having been entered into the National Historic Vehicle Register and presenting in highly original condition, the Bullitt Mustang retains many of the fingerprints from its time in front of the camera, including the camera mounts welded to the rockers, the welded patches covering what used to be the backup lights before McQueen had them removed, modifications for camera gear in the trunk, its custom exhaust, adhesive residue on the tachometer and even the Bondo used to repair the door after it was smashed in during the final moments of the chase scene.

As the goal all along of the current owner Sean Kiernan — and his late father, Robert — was to retain the Mustang in as untouched condition as possible, the completed engine rebuild is factory-faithful, featuring as many original parts as Sean and his father could conceivably use, and other work was done only by absolute necessity, including replacing the carpet, front bumper and front valance.

There are few cars that have reached a truly awe-inspiring level of rarity and collectability, but the list of cars that has transcended that level to reach near mythical status as fine art pieces and pop culture icons — artifacts of automotive history—is nearly non-existent.

The Bullitt Mustang is a car that extends far beyond being just another top-notch collector car. It’s a car that was once thought lost to the passage of time, and with its reemergence, its unparalleled cultural significance has solidified it as a bona fide piece of pop-culture art and as an undeniable remnant of an incredible moment in movie and automotive history.



With McQueen behind the wheel during the filming of 1968’s “Bullitt,” it redefined the way audiences would forever view car chases, creating a blueprint for the way those scenes should be shot, and that enduring legacy is something the car will forever carry with it.

McQueen viewed the car as a key character in itself, and it couldn’t be any more apparent today that his view was correct, as the Bullitt Mustang has once again achieved complete and utter stardom on the public stage. With its public unveiling and renewed reputation for greatness, the Bullitt Mustang is now ready for its next starring role.