What Is A Bullitt Mustang And Why Is It Special?

In 1968, an action movie called "Bullitt," starring Steve McQueen, landed in movie theaters. The film would become iconic for a breathtaking 11-minute chase scene through the streets of San Francisco. Detective Frank Bullitt drove his Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang G.T. fastback in pursuit of a suspect in a black 1968 Dodge Charger.

Steve McQueen, himself a professional race car driver, provided a lot of input on the look and feel of the Mustang in the movie. This included blacking out the grille, painting the chrome trim black, removing the Mustang emblems and badges, and swapping out the OEM wheels for gray American Racing Torq Thrust wheels.  

The moviemakers also made specific modifications to enhance the performance and sound of the Mustang. The factory 390 CI Ford V-8 was tweaked with milled cylinder heads, an upgraded carburetor, and an electronic ignition system. The factory exhaust system was also modified, with glasspacks and straight pipes replacing the stock mufflers.

A replica of the 1968 Mustang featured in Bullitt, via Sicnag

The 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt (S95)

Thirty-three years later, Ford Motor Company would honor the "Bullitt" movie's legacy with a Mustang Bullitt edition concept at the 2000 L.A. Auto Show. The reception from Mustang fans was so strong Ford decided to put the Bullitt edition in limited production for the 2001 model year. 

The Ford Mustang Bullitt GT had many special tribute features that echoed the original movie car. The 4.6-liter V-8 was tweaked to offer slightly more horsepower, with a cast-aluminum intake, twin 57-mm bore throttle bodies, and high-flow mufflers. The suspension was stiffened and lowered for tighter handling. Unique exterior and interior enhancements honored the original movie car, including:

• Highland Green exterior color
• Heritage 5-spoke 17" wheels
• "Bullitt" badging
• Brushed-aluminum fuel-filler door 
• Factory serialized identification label

Specifications:

Engine

• Type: 90-degree SOHC 16-valve V-8
• Displacement: 4.6L / 281 CID
• Horsepower: 265 hp @ 5,000 RPM
• Torque: 305 lbs.-ft. @ 4,000 RPM
• Bore x Stroke: 90.2mm x 90mm
• Compression: 9.4:1

Suspension

• Front: Modified MacPherson Strut (Tokiko), stabilizer bar, coil springs, lowered 0.75 in.
• Rear: Solid axle, 4-link locating arms, coil springs, sub-frame connectors, lowered 0.75 in.

Brakes

• Front: 13.0 in. vented Brembo disc, PBR twin-piston caliper (painted red)
• Rear: 11.65 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper
• ABS: Four-channel ABS system, linked to all-speed traction control

Wheels

• Wheels: 17 x 8 in 5-spoke American Racing "Torque Thrust" forged aluminum
• Tires: 245/45R-17 BSW Goodyear Eagle

Performance

• 0 to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds
• 60 to 0 braking: 118 feet
• 1/4-mile @ MPH: 14.0 seconds @ 97.9 mph

Total Production: 5,582 units

• Dark Highland Green: 3,041
• Black: 1,819
• True Blue: 722

*Specifications via Ford Performance.

The 2008-2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt (S197)

A 2008 Bullitt Mustang, via Sicnag

Not long after Ford launched an all-new Mustang for 2005, enthusiasts rallied around the idea of another Bullitt edition. After all, the new S197 Mustang captured the essence of the legendary movie car like never before. Ford obliged a few years later with a new Bullitt edition Mustang GT for 2008. Demand was so strong Ford decided to continue production through the 2009 model year. 

Devoid of emblems, scoops, and spoilers, this new Bullitt Mustang remained true to the original. A tweaked 4.6-liter V-8 produced an additional 15 H.P. over the stock GT. A proper dual exhaust system was tuned to sound just like the movie car. Firmer shocks and springs, including a strut brace, provided tighter handling. Special exterior and interior enhancements captured the essence of the actual Bullitt movie Mustang, including: 

• Highland Green or Black exterior colors
• Heritage 5-spoke 18" wheels
• "Bullitt" badging
• Brushed-aluminum fuel-filler door
• Aluminum shift knob
• Factory serialized I.D. plate on the strut brace.

Specifications:

Engine

• Type: 90-degree SOHC 24-valve V-8
• Displacement: 4.6L / 281 CID
• Horsepower: 315 hp @ 6,000 RPM
• Torque: 325 lbs.-ft. @ 4,250 RPM
• Bore x Stroke: 90.2mm x 90mm
• Compression: 9.8:1

Suspension

• Front: Reverse-L Independent MacPherson Strut, stabilizer bar, Ford Racing strut tower brace
• Rear: 3-link solid axle with coil springs, panhard rod, stabilizer bar

Brakes

• Front: 12.4 in. vented disc, dual-piston caliper, high-performance pad
• Rear: 11.8 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper
• ABS: Four-channel ABS system, linked to all-speed traction control

Wheels

• Wheels: 18 x 8 in 5-spoke cast aluminum "Euroflange" wheels, finished in Argent Grey
• Tires: 235/50ZR-18 BSW high-performance

Performance

• 0 to 60 mph: 5.0 seconds
• 60 to 0 braking: 127 feet
• 1/4-mile @ MPH: 13.7 seconds @ 102.7 mph

2008 Total Production: 5,808 units

• Dark Highland Green: 4,377
• Black: 1,431

2009 Total Production: 816 units

• Dark Highland Green: 635
• Black - 181

*Specifications via Ford Performance.

The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt (S550)

After a decade's absence, Ford would resurrect the Bullitt Mustang once again for the latest generation S550 Mustang. As with Bullitt editions prior, Ford would honor the iconic movie car with a special model stripped of emblems, scoops, and spoilers. Like those before it, this Bullitt Mustang remained faithful to the original. Special features included:

• Dark Highland Green or Black exterior colors. 
• Unique black grille 
• Heritage 5-spoke 19-inch aluminum wheels 
• Red-painted Brembo™ brakes.
• Circular faux gas cap Bullitt logo at the rear center 
• Leather-trimmed interior with unique green accent stitching on the seats, door panels, dashboard, and center console.

Specifications:

Engine

• Type: DOHC Ti-VCT Dual Fuel Port/Direct Injection (PFDI) V8
• Displacement: 302 cu. in. (5.038 cc.)
• Horsepower: 480 @7,000 rpm*
• Torque: 420 lb.-ft. @ 4,600 RPM
• Bore x Stroke: 93.0mm x 92.7mm
• Compression: 12.0:1

Suspension

• Front: Double-ball-joint independent MacPherson strut with H.D. coil springs and tubular stabilizer bar
• Rear: Integral-link independent with coil springs, larger diameter solid stabilizer bar, and mono-tube dampers (Optional MagneRide™ damping system)

Brakes

• Front: Standard; 13.9 in. vented disc, four-piston caliper. Performance Package: 15.0 in vented discs, Brembo Six-piston 36mm fixed calipers
• Rear: Standard: 12.6 in. solid disc, single-piston 45mm floating caliper. Performance Package: 15 in. vented discs, single 45mm piston
• ABS: ABS/AdvanceTrack with ESC/EPAS

Wheels

• Wheels: 19" x9" (Front) 19" x9.5" (Rear) Five Spoke Heritage Wheels
• Tires: 255/40R19 Front, 275/40R19 Rear Summer Only Tires

Performance

• 0 to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
• 60 to 0 braking: 105 ft
• 1/4-mile @ MPH: 12.9 seconds @ 112.5 mph

*Specifications via Ford Performance.

The Future Of The Bullitt Mustang

Ford unveiled the all-new 2024 Mustang (S650) at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show. Available in Summer 2023, initial models will include base, GT, and a new high-horsepower "Dark Horse" trim. It's too early to speculate if Ford will offer a Bullitt edition of the next-generation Mustang. But, if history is a good indication, there's a decent chance we could see another Bullitt Mustang in the not-too-distant future. 

Blue Springs Ford Parts Is The #1 Choice For Quality OEM Replacement Parts

If you're a lover of classic autos, check out this guide to 10 must-see auto museums. Whether you're a classic Mustang owner, or have a newer model in your driveway, Blue Springs Ford Parts has the OEM parts for your ride.

We've been selling quality OEM Ford, Lincoln and Mercury parts for 30 years. We operate one of the largest Ford parts departments in the U.S. Centrally located in Blue Springs, Missouri and offer fast shipping from coast-to-coast. If you have any questions about parts needed for your vehicle, please contact us.