Iconic '68 Bullitt Mustang

[Phainein7]

Iconic '68 Bullitt Mustang Shatters Records And Sells For $3.4M

The original 1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt is the most iconic movie car of all time, a legend that makes car enthusiasts weak at the knees. This exact Hero Car that was expertly driven by Steve McQueen in the 1968 Bullitt movie produced by Warner Bros. just crossed the auction block just moments ago at Mecum. Most known for its epic car chase with a Dodge Charger through the hilly streets of San Francisco, the car changed car culture as we know it. And it also just broke the internet and shattered records as the most expensive Mustang sold at auction.

It was escorted to the Mecum stage almost like a boxer entering the ring with cheers being heard from the entire crowd. It was an incredible scene as the entire building stood on its feet to watch this legendary car make its way to the spotlight. The bidding started at $3,500 for what it was bought for back in 1974, and it was offered without reserve. The Mustang GT "Bullitt" crossed the Mecum auction block in Kissimmee moments ago with the hammer dropping down at $3,400,000. That would be $3.74 million total considering the 10% buyer premium.

[matthew1]

I like that car, but I love the Challenger. Great chase scene, I wish they hadn't bumped the film speed (not ISO, but the actual reel RPM during editing) to make the cars look like they're going faster. Oh Hollywood.

[Phainein7]

I like that car,...

Each generation has their picks, but in that era, there were a number of US/European vehicles that were of interest. Many of those vehicles ended up in scrap yards since nostalgia for them wasn't mainstream thinking. After WWII, demolition derbys destroyed lots of vintage vehicles.

1965 Chevy II Nova SS was nice also:"1965 is best remembered as the year the Chevy II became a muscle car. A 327 cu in (5.4 l) V8 was available with up to 300 hp (220 kW), suddenly putting Nova SS performance practically on a par with the GTO, 4-4-2, and 271 bhp Mustang 289s-at least in straight-line acceleration."

Straight-line acceleration was the norm for muscle vehicles.

Without independent rear suspension, corning was limited. Swing-axle suspension has been around since Mercedes-Benz 170 (1931), but US's OEMs weren't mass producing independent rear suspension, although VWs, Porsches, NSUs, Borgwards, Mercedes, and Corvair had them in earlier years (50s/60s).

[MoVolvos]

I like that car,...

1965 Chevy II Nova SS was nice also.

Straight-line acceleration was the norm for muscle vehicles.

Without independent rear suspension, corning was limited.

High School Gymnastics teammate had a 2 door 68 Nova SS with 4 Speed Stick. Back then people rebuilt everything from the ground up all the time. Pearl Blue, Reupholstered black vinyl interior and air shocks in the rear for the big BFG Radial TA's and skinny tires up front.

Lots of torque, good for smoking tires side ways, no one thought about corners as those were still Starsky & Hutch driving style days.

[Phainein7]

Lots of torque, good for smoking tires side ways

Rolling starts were the better way when drag racing. Starting off the line on city streets, one had to consider "Do you feel lucky."

1964 GTO would smoke tires via low speed acceleration (@ 10 mph or so) with stock tires.

Back then, "J hooks" were exhibited on lonely roadways. Few people today know what it means:-)

[matthew1]

Saw many J hooks on the roads in rural MD in the 80s. It was an art.

[MoVolvos]

Back then, "J hooks" were exhibited on lonely roadways. Few people today know what it means:-)

I'm with the Majority that does not know .

[Phainein7]

I'm with the Majority that does not know .

While rolling backwards in reverse, transmission is shifted slowly into 1st (manual transmission with 1st gear synchro) or in Drive for automatic, then spin tires. So, rearward motion is represented by left side of letter "J" and right side (long vertical side) represents forward motion.

Note - I know this could be done with a 1969 Mopar automatic transmission when it shifted into drive before acceleration. I can't say if this can be done for other automatic transmissions today or then. It's best not to find out the hard way!

RE: "Lots of torque, good for smoking tires side ways"

That's what street drag races from a standing start and "J hooks" were about, but vehicles could/were go/going side ways:-)

[abscate]

I love the movie and the chase scene but the audio with all the fake shifting was kindergarten like.

I do like all the old splittie and oval window beetles parked in the chase that they keep recycling, too,