If we asked you to name the most famous movie car chase of all time, there's a good chance you'd say one word: Bullitt. This 1968 thriller captivated audiences across America and around the world with its groundbreaking car chase on the streets of San Francisco. While the cinematography and acting were incredible, the cars were also a big part of the appeal. Steve McQueen chased a '68 Dodge Charger from behind the wheel of a Dark Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang — the exact car seen here. This Bullitt stunt car was thought to be lost for many years, but it's now restored and on display at the Petersen Auto Museum.
The Story of the "Bullitt" Mustang
Unlike modern movies, which often use at least half a dozen cars during production, only two '68 Ford Mustangs were reportedly used in the production of Bullitt. One was the "hero car" that was kept in good condition for beauty shots and closeups, while the other was the stunt car to be jumped, skidded, and driven hard during the car chase sequence. This car is the latter — the one we all remember Steve McQueen driving in those heart-pumping action shots.
Above: Filming Bullitt was not kind to this '68 Mustang and resulted in some dents that the car still wears to this day. (Screenshot courtesy of Warner Bros. Classics)
We previously wrote an article about this car when it was unveiled at the Petersen Museum in California, sharing some of the details of its history, but earlier this week the Petersen published a video on its YouTube channel that delved deeper into its fascinating past.
According to the car's restorer, Ralph Garcia Jr., the Mustang was found in a backyard in Mexico. A buyer recovered it and brought it back to the United States without knowing what it was. Ironically, the owner planned to turn it into a Gone in 60 Seconds Eleanor tribute — Garcia's specialty — until a VIN check revealed that this was the famous Bullitt stunt car.
Garcia meticulously restored the car, taking care to maintain the unique elements that showed its history. For example, there's a special lighted indicator on the turn signal stalk, holes in the trunk for film equipment, and dents on the undercarriage from the many jumps it was subjected to.
Garcia says he even spoke to Lee Brown, one of the builders who worked on this car back in the '60s. As part of the prep work, he hit the car with a pole to add dents and make it look like a well-used daily-driver. Brown reportedly still has the exact pole that was used and offered to apply a fresh set of dents to the restored Mustang, if a buyer ever wants them.
Check out the full 13-minute video from Petersen Auto Museum below, and if you haven't seen Bullitt in a while, watch the movie clip below that to see this Mustang vs. Charger chase in all its action-packed glory.
Most importantly, stay tuned for a future Classic Industries News article with a much deeper dive into this car's history, including a look at the specific modifications it received and detailed photos from the restoration process.
Looking for Ford Mustang Restoration Parts?
While most of us could never dream of a once-in-a-lifetime find like this Bullitt Mustang, there are still countless beautiful classic cars out there waiting to be restored. Maybe you have a project car in the garage already, or maybe you're thinking about picking one up soon — either way, Classic Industries is here to help. Click the button below to browse our selection of Ford Mustang restoration parts:
