Are you looking at the most valuable car in film? This is one of the two Ford Mustangs that featured in 1968 flick Bullitt – home to the most iconic car chase in movie history.
The car that performed the majority of the tricks in the film, and took part in the 11-minute high speed chase, emerged last year in a Mexican scrapyard. The one Steve McQueen drove throughout the film was thought lost for good.
The car has its original seats and paintwork, but the engine is rebuilt
That was until its owner, Sean Kiernan, unveiled it this month – to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film.
It remains in almost the same condition as when Steve McQueen drove it in Bullitt, albeit with Sean’s rebuilt mechanics to get it roadworthy again in time for the half-centenary.
His father, Robert, had bought it for $6,000, in 1974.
Where had it been before that? After filming, Warner Bros sold it to an LA studio executive, who sold it on to a police officer. That police officer placed an ad in Road & Track magazine, prompting Kiernan to stump up the cash.
The Kiernans used it as their daily car for the rest of the decade, adding 46,000 miles to the clock, and even fending off Steve McQueen’s advances to buy it.
But when the clutch broke in 1980, Robert put the car into storage and told no-one outside the family about its illustrious past.
“I’d never seen my dad drive the car,” Sean told Vanity Fair.
“The only person that I’d seen drive the car was Steve McQueen, in the movie.”
We could see it making around $7m at auction, should it appear.
That would achieve a new record for a film car at auction. The Aston Martin DB4 that featured in 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger holds the record. It auctioned for $4.6 million in 2010.
This month the Bullitt Mustang became only the 21st car to be inducted into the Historic Vehicle Association’s roster – a testament to its importance.
If Sean decides to capitalise on the 50 year celebrations by auctioning the car this year, you will read about it here.
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