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In January 2001, Ford announced that the concept car, the Bullitt Mustang, first shown at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show, was going to become a reality.

Inspired by the legendary 1968 Mustangs used in the movie "Bullitt" starring Steve McQueen, the Bullitt was destined to become the best GT Mustang ever built by Ford. Starting with the stock GT Mustang, almost everything was changed. The C-pillars and quarter panel moldings were modified to create a unique look. Rocker panel moldings were enhanced to provide a low to ground appearance. A brushed aluminum fuel filler door was placed on the quarter panel. Rolled exhaust tips, aluminum door sills and 17 inch aluminum wheels with Z-rated tires were just a few of the cosmetic additions. The real differences were where it counted: Handling and performance.

The SOHC 4.6 L V-8 was modified to improve airflow and reduce parasitic losses. Producing at least 270 H.P., it could easily be modified to produce much more. Twin 57 mm throttle body intake manifolds and high flow mufflers helped increase horsepower and many dollars we spend to get it to sound like the movie mustangs. Here’s where it gets even better. The vehicle was lowered almost an inch and handling was greatly improved with re-valved Tokico struts and shocks. Unique stabilizer bars were installed front and rear as were frame rail connectors. To help slow things down, 13 inch Brembo front rotors and performance calipers provided excellent stopping capability. Dollar for dollar, this may have been the best performance car ever built in North America. At $30,000 less than a Corvette, it wouldn’t take half that amount of money to make it a Corvette killer.

Inside, the Bullitt interior features performance bucket seats in dark Charcoal leather trim and only 3 colours to choose from for the exterior. Black, Marble Blue and Highland Green. Most opted for the green as this was the colour of the Mustangs used in the 1968 movie. Also inside is a brushed aluminum shifter ball, shifter bezel, 60’s style gauge cluster and aluminum pedal covers.

Not as many Bullitts were sold as anticipated. At almost $7000 Cdn. more than a stock GT, the average driver might not notice much of a difference. At well over 200 kph on the straights and at faster than usual speeds around tight corners, the difference to the initiated becomes quickly evident. There were less than 500 Canadian models built and fewer than 5,000 in the U.S., making the Bullitt Mustang already a bit of a rarity.

Quite often you’ll find two of these steeds residing in the Carter Collection in Penticton, as Daryl and his friend Ernie both store them there when the inclement weather hits. Come Spring and Summer…look for these ponies playing on the highways at faster than legal speeds. It’s really hard not to….