The 1968 film Bullitt gave cinema one of its most famous car chases, and it turned a dark green Ford Mustang into a legend. The surviving “hero” car spent decades out of public view before reappearing in 2018 and selling at auction in 2020. This celebrity cars story from Almawadahit.com covers the film, the cars and the well-documented events that followed, using details reported by Ford, the auction house and the car’s owners.
Key Takeaways
- Bullitt (1968) used two Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastbacks.
- The hero car was owned by the Kiernan family from 1974 and revealed with Ford in Detroit in 2018.
- It sold at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2020 for $3.4 million hammer, $3.74 million with fees, as reported.
The Film and the Chase
Bullitt, released in 1968, starred Steve McQueen as San Francisco police lieutenant Frank Bullitt. Its car chase, which runs for around ten minutes, sends Bullitt’s Mustang after a black Dodge Charger through the steep streets of San Francisco and out onto the highways south of the city. The scene was filmed on real streets at high speed, and it is still regularly named among the best car chases in film history.
McQueen was a keen driver and racer, and he did some of the driving himself, with professional stunt drivers handling the most dangerous sequences.
The Cars
The production used two 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastbacks painted in Highland Green, with V8 engines and four-speed manual gearboxes. They were modified for filming, including suspension changes to cope with the jumps on San Francisco’s hills, and many badges were removed to give the car a plain, purposeful look. The villains’ car was a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T.
- The “hero” car was used for most of the close-up driving shots with McQueen.
- The “jumper” car took the hardest punishment in the jumps and stunts.
What Happened to the Hero Car
After filming, the hero car was sold and passed through a small number of owners. In 1974 it was bought by Robert Kiernan, who, as later reported, found it through a classified advertisement. Kiernan and his family used the car as daily transport for a time before it was put away.
The story became famous partly because Steve McQueen himself later tried to buy the car back. A letter from McQueen to the Kiernans asking about the car was later shown publicly by the family. They declined to sell, and the car stayed with them, largely out of sight, for decades.
The 2018 Reveal
In January 2018, Sean Kiernan, Robert’s son, revealed the original car together with Ford at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ford used the occasion to introduce a new limited-edition Mustang Bullitt, continuing a tradition of special Bullitt models that the company had also offered in 2001 and 2008. The original car was shown in its unrestored, well-used condition, which many enthusiasts saw as part of its appeal.
The jumper car had also resurfaced: it was reported in 2017 that a Mustang found in Baja California, Mexico, had been confirmed as the second film car.
The Auction
In January 2020, the hero car was offered by Mecum Auctions at its Kissimmee, Florida sale. It sold for a hammer price of $3.4 million, or $3.74 million including the buyer’s premium, according to widely reported coverage of the auction. At the time it was described as the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction.
Why the Bullitt Mustang Matters
- The chase. It set a standard for realistic car action on film.
- The star. McQueen’s own love of cars and racing made the connection feel authentic.
- The story. The decades-long disappearance and the 2018 reveal gave the car a second life in the news.
- The look. The plain Highland Green fastback inspired several later Ford special editions.
How to Read Movie Car Sale Reports
Car auction headlines can quote either the hammer price or the total including fees, which is why two reports may show different figures for the same sale. Look for the auction house’s own results and check which figure is quoted. Documented history, such as the Kiernan family’s ownership records and Ford’s involvement in the reveal, is what separates a genuine film car from a lookalike.
Steve McQueen and His Cars
The Bullitt Mustang is only one part of McQueen’s reputation as a car enthusiast. He raced cars and motorcycles, and in 1970 he finished second overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring sharing a Porsche 908 with Peter Revson. He later made the racing film Le Mans (1971). Among the cars he owned, one of the most famous is a Jaguar XKSS, which is now displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. These details help explain why cars linked to McQueen attract so much attention from collectors.
Ford’s Bullitt Special Editions
Ford has returned to the film several times with limited-edition Mustangs inspired by the original:
- 2001 Mustang Bullitt GT, with a dark green colour option and styling cues from the film car;
- 2008 Mustang Bullitt, marking the film’s 40th anniversary;
- 2019 Mustang Bullitt, introduced at the 2018 Detroit show alongside the original car.
Each edition kept the understated look of the original, with minimal badging and dark green paint offered as a signature colour.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
| Film | Bullitt (1968), starring Steve McQueen. |
| Car | 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback in Highland Green. |
| Owner from 1974 | the Kiernan family. |
| Public reveal | January 2018, Detroit. |
| Auction | Mecum Kissimmee, January 2020; $3.4 million hammer, $3.74 million with fees, as reported. |
Why the Car Stayed Hidden for So Long
According to interviews given by the Kiernan family around the 2018 reveal, the car was kept out of the public eye for decades, partly to protect the family’s privacy and partly because they wanted to decide its future on their own terms. Robert Kiernan had planned to restore it with his son before his death in 2014, and Sean Kiernan later chose to show the car in its original, worn condition. That choice preserved the marks of its history, which many collectors value more than a fresh restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Car Did Steve McQueen Drive in Bullitt?
Steve McQueen drove a 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback painted Highland Green, with a V8 engine and a four-speed manual gearbox. Two identical cars were used: a hero car for most close-up driving and a jumper car for the hardest stunts. The villains drove a black 1968 Dodge Charger R/T.
How Much Did the Bullitt Mustang Sell For?
The original hero car sold at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, in January 2020 for a hammer price of $3.4 million, or $3.74 million including the buyer’s premium, according to widely reported coverage. At the time it was described as the most expensive Mustang sold at auction.
Where Was the Second Bullitt Mustang Found?
The second film car, known as the jumper car, was reported in 2017 to have been found in Baja California, Mexico, and was confirmed as the other Mustang used in Bullitt. It had taken the most punishment during filming, especially in the jumps on San Francisco’s steep streets.
More Famous Movie Cars
The Bullitt Mustang’s great rival in film history is a British grand tourer; read the story of James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 for that side of the story. For more celebrity cars, homes, lifestyle and net worth stories, visit Almawadahit.com.
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Keep reading: see more stories in Celebrity Cars or browse Celebrity Lifestyle. Related: James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 and The Met Gala Explained.
