2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt GT

Description

Ford introduced the Mustang Bullitt edition in 2001, but it wasn't until the redesigned Mustang showed up in 2005 that the Bullitt could really reach into the past and truly channel Steve McQueen. This 2009 Bullitt Mustang is an incredible investment-grade piece of Ford history, showing only 17,154 original miles (not a misprint) and completely untouched save for a few routine maintenance items.

The color is Highland Green, just as in 1968, and it practically glows on the surfaces of this modern variant. Thanks to the miracle of two-stage urethane paint, it has a dazzling shine without losing the deep color that made McQueen's car the ultimate sleeper. The Bullitt eschews flash and standard Mustang items like a hood scoop and rear wing, just to add authenticity. You'll note that there are no badges or other indicators on it, and the only real identifier is a faux gas cap in the center of the rear valence, and even that is special just for these cars. The 1968 original used chrome bumpers, but since there's no chrome on an '08 Mustang, they substituted a satin-finished trim ring around the now-horseless grille opening, which mimics the spirit, if not the exact look of the original. And yes, it is as perfectly preserved as possible and showroom fresh in every possible way.

The interior got a few upgrades over the standard GT fare as well, and all of it is as perfectly preserved as the exterior. It's not a duplicate of the '60s icon, but there are deign cues everywhere that remind you that this is no ordinary Mustang. There were no engine-turned panels in Frank Bullitt's car, but they give the dash in this one a period-perfect look and brighten up the otherwise dark gray interior. Same goes for the aluminum shift knob and gray shifter surround, all of which help place the car in-period without actually going back in time. The GT's gauges use a very 1968-looking font with tall, narrow numbers, although the layout is quite modern overall. The seats were borrowed from the GT500 and offer narrow pleats like the original, and the leather-wrapped wheel is a luxury Steve McQueen might have appreciated during the stunt driving sequences.

Ford gave the Bullitt a few extra horsepower, too, thanks to an intake system designed by Ford Racing, as well as a strut tower brace that also carries the car's individual number plate (#6308, by the way). The exhaust system was specially tuned to sound like the 1968 car from the film, and it makes a few extra ponies thanks to a custom engine calibration. It's plenty stout and prowls the streets with some swagger, and despite being insanely easy to modify, this one remains quite stock under the hood. A 5-speed manual transmission is the gearbox of choice to most closely replicate McQueen's 4-speed and it's a joy to run through the gears. In back, there are 3.73 gears that allow it to launch hard off the line but thanks to a deep overdrive gear, it cruises easily on the highway without getting tiresome. The suspension was lowered about a half-inch from stock and is tuned a little more aggressively, but never gets abusive when you're not running hard. The stock Mustang 4-wheel disc brakes are an easy match for the horsepower, and they live behind 18-inch Torque-Thrust replicas wearing 235/50/18 BFGoodrich G-Force radials that look suitably tall in the Bullitt's wheel wells.

If you missed your chance when the Bullitt was the hottest Mustang you could buy, here it is again, fully documented with the original window sticker, warranty card, and manuals. Call now!