The famous Bullitt Mustang, which re-emerged in January 2018 after decades hidden away in Tennessee, is going to be offered for sale in January 2020 by Mecum Auctions. The Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT was driven by Steve McQueen in the iconic movie Bullitt, starring in the famous high-speed car chase through San Francisco.
It was one of two Mustangs used for filming, then sold by Warner Brothers, to end up with current owner Sean Kiernan’s father. Sean was driven to school in it during the 1980s but mechanical problems meant it was put away, and it didn’t re-emerge for four decades, almost untouched, and still with many unique features from the filming. Sean realised the significance of the car but kept it hidden, only revealing its whereabouts after his father passed away.
What followed was a remarkable world tour for the Mustang, starting off with the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, then Amelia Island Concours, going on public display in the Historic Vehicle Association glass case on in Washington DC and also starring at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed before going on display at LeMay—America’s Car Museum.
It will be offered for sale at the January 2-12 Kissimmee 2020 Mecum auction in Florida. The announcement was made at Mecum Monterey 2019 by Sean Kiernan alongside Mecum Auctions president and founder Dana Mecum. It’s expected to become the most expensive Mustang ever sold, estimated to exceed the $2.2m paid for a Shelby GT500 Super Snake at the 2019 Mecum Kissimmee, and the $3.5m paid for a Plymouth Hemi Cuda in 2014.
Oh, and if you’re interested in what became of the other car, it re-emerged last year too after decades around the Mexican border, in a bad way and partway through restoration. It’s currently undergoing valuation and a more sympathetic restoration.
Images courtesy of Ford
