57 Years Ago, Mustang Entered Legend with Bullitt

On October 17, 1968, the film Bullitt was released in American theaters, propelling the Mustang into the realm of legend.

Directed by Peter Yates and led by a Steve McQueen at the height of his talent, this police thriller would leave a lasting mark on global automotive culture. Not so much for its plot but for its legendary chase scene, forever etched in the memory of enthusiasts: ten minutes of pure adrenaline through the steep streets of San Francisco, featuring a Ford Mustang Fastback GT 390 against a Dodge Charger R/T 440.

Never before had cinema filmed a car chase with such realism. McQueen, a passionate driver and seasoned stuntman, insisted that the scene be as authentic as possible. The cars were genuinely driven over 160 km/h on the city’s hills, with no digital effects or artifices. This iconic sequence revolutionized the way auto action was filmed, inspiring generations of directors and stunt performers.

A star was born

But it was the Mustang that truly entered legend that day. With its Highland Green hue, American Racing rims, throaty V8, and muscular lines, it became a symbol of freedom, power, and style. The “Bullitt Mustang” has since become an icon in its own right, celebrated through several special editions released by Ford, notably in 2001, 2008, and 2018, to commemorate the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the film.

The original car, long considered lost, resurfaced in 2018 before being auctioned two years later for over $3.7 million, proof that the film’s aura remains intact.

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Fifty-seven years later, Bullitt continues to embody the essence of automotive cinema: raw, elegant, and visceral. And the Mustang, for its part, remains the ultimate star — the one that, on October 17, 1968, finally roared the legend into life.

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