Someone at Autoblog actually understands the Bullitt
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From: NV
Someone at Autoblog actually understands the Bullitt
...While Ford definitely could have done more with the Bullitt, it makes sense that they didn't. They are going after the owner who doesn't want the frills. There is no spoiler. No quarter window louvers. There is no excess of badges letting everyone know that the car is special. The only available colors are Highland Green and Black – not exactly eye catching. Even the calipers, which were painted red on the 2001 version, have been painted grey to blend in with the wheels. Most people who see the car will give it only a slight glance, and that is what is intended. It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents. Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive? Definitely not something that would attract attention. After all, if there's a guy who doesn't need people to tell him he's cool, it's Steve McQueen.
Bullitt Member
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When the Bullitt was first released I was like most people and was a little disappointed. I would have lloved to have seen gobs of power, great distinction in the looks dept etc... but the more I think of the movie car and what is truly was, the more i like it. I still wish it had more power, but I now truly agree with the above article.
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To be honest, I am really starting to like the car more and more.
I think they got the car dead on, minus the HP. Other than that, the car looks great. It's got me starting to think about trading in my truck for this as a daily driver.......
I think Mcqueen would have been proud.
I think they got the car dead on, minus the HP. Other than that, the car looks great. It's got me starting to think about trading in my truck for this as a daily driver.......
I think Mcqueen would have been proud.
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
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From: U S A
"... It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents..."
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
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"... It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents..."
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
Bullitt Member
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Remember that the new Bullitt would smoke the old one by a country mile in all areas. But of course it should, as forty years have passed. I believe the point in the article is that the car is "to the point" and doesn't draw attention. More of a business coupe of sorts, yes?
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"... It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents..."
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
"... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
Second place was not an option he considered or settle for. It was not in his character, whether as an actor or a person.
Thread Starter
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From: NV
"... It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents..."
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
The author missed the fact of what a GT with a 390 represented back then otherwise a 289 would have been adequate and it would be more in line with the present 281 aka 4.6. then the issue would be mute.
The 390 was middle motor in the lineup back then with the 428 as top dog; while we don't have as many engine choices today, that's what the 4.6 is today...
Besides, today's standard GT does everything better than the 1968 car, performance wise."... Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive?
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
A Vista Blue GT500 with the stripe delete and a few dings on each side of the car.
Anyone who really knows about Steve McQueen knows about his motorcycle and car collection which only included the unique and special. Steve McQueen strived for the best in anything he did or had.
These cars that were part of McQueen's collection are unique but besides the Jaguar, none of them could be considered the "best"
On screen he played characters with low key coolness and quiet competence, not loud arrogance. The Mustang in movie had that kind of image as well. That's what Ford was trying to capture in the new car...
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It is widely said by those involved with the Bullitt movie shoot that the Hemi Charger would walk away from the Mustang. Is that the reason Ford didn't do much to tweak the engine?
All of the apologists that base their arguments on comparisions to the movie car crack me up. Someone complains about some aspect of the car and the comeback is ... well the original car was like that so Ford got it right.
So why doesn't it have:
leaf springs (and do the rear wheels hop if you do a reverse burnout)
pushrods
390 cubic inches
SLA front suspension
14/15 inch wheels with skinny polyglas tires
an imitation woodgrain dash
a semicircular horn ring inside the steering wheel
a fold down back seat
dents
an AM only radio
And where are all the purists decrying that it has:
OHCs
McStrut front suspension
rear coil springs and a panhard bar
airbags
18 inch wheels
a fake gas cap (that has the movie character's last name on it no less)
a steering wheel that also has the movie character's last name on it
If making a car be as similar as possible as the one in the movie was Ford's intention they seemed to have missed the mark
All of the apologists that base their arguments on comparisions to the movie car crack me up. Someone complains about some aspect of the car and the comeback is ... well the original car was like that so Ford got it right.
So why doesn't it have:
leaf springs (and do the rear wheels hop if you do a reverse burnout)
pushrods
390 cubic inches
SLA front suspension
14/15 inch wheels with skinny polyglas tires
an imitation woodgrain dash
a semicircular horn ring inside the steering wheel
a fold down back seat
dents
an AM only radio
And where are all the purists decrying that it has:
OHCs
McStrut front suspension
rear coil springs and a panhard bar
airbags
18 inch wheels
a fake gas cap (that has the movie character's last name on it no less)
a steering wheel that also has the movie character's last name on it
If making a car be as similar as possible as the one in the movie was Ford's intention they seemed to have missed the mark
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
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From: U S A
By today's standards the Mustangs which is being chosen for movies are mostly GT500.
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
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From: U S A
The GT was debatched then and would be now. The only difference is that it would not be a GT.
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Posts: 1,380
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It is widely said by those involved with the Bullitt movie shoot that the Hemi Charger would walk away from the Mustang. Is that the reason Ford didn't do much to tweak the engine?
All of the apologists that base their arguments on comparisions to the movie car crack me up. Someone complains about some aspect of the car and the comeback is ... well the original car was like that so Ford got it right.
So why doesn't it have:
leaf springs (and do the rear wheels hop if you do a reverse burnout)
pushrods
390 cubic inches
SLA front suspension
14/15 inch wheels with skinny polyglas tires
an imitation woodgrain dash
a semicircular horn ring inside the steering wheel
a fold down back seat
dents
an AM only radio
And where are all the purists decrying that it has:
OHCs
McStrut front suspension
rear coil springs and a panhard bar
airbags
18 inch wheels
a fake gas cap (that has the movie character's last name on it no less)
a steering wheel that also has the movie character's last name on it
If making a car be as similar as possible as the one in the movie was Ford's intention they seemed to have missed the mark
All of the apologists that base their arguments on comparisions to the movie car crack me up. Someone complains about some aspect of the car and the comeback is ... well the original car was like that so Ford got it right.
So why doesn't it have:
leaf springs (and do the rear wheels hop if you do a reverse burnout)
pushrods
390 cubic inches
SLA front suspension
14/15 inch wheels with skinny polyglas tires
an imitation woodgrain dash
a semicircular horn ring inside the steering wheel
a fold down back seat
dents
an AM only radio
And where are all the purists decrying that it has:
OHCs
McStrut front suspension
rear coil springs and a panhard bar
airbags
18 inch wheels
a fake gas cap (that has the movie character's last name on it no less)
a steering wheel that also has the movie character's last name on it
If making a car be as similar as possible as the one in the movie was Ford's intention they seemed to have missed the mark
the person you describe needs a '68 390 GT
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Joined: May 17, 2007
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From: London, ON. Canada
Some folks are just jealous that they can't get an 08 Bullitt. With only 7700 available this is not a car you can wait till next year to get.
So because of their jealousy and anger they have to come on here and tear the car apart.
That won't affect my enjoyment one little bit- it's going to be one sweet ride!!!!
So because of their jealousy and anger they have to come on here and tear the car apart.
That won't affect my enjoyment one little bit- it's going to be one sweet ride!!!!
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From: NV
As for the cars, Max Balchowsky tells us, "I suggested they get a 390 GT. I had suggested using a Mustang, and a Dodge Charger, or else there would be too may Fords in the picture. I thought we'd mix up the cars." The two 1968, four-speed Mustang GT fastbacks were purchased primarily because, promotionally, they were the best deal at the time. As far as Bud Elkins can recall, he feels the reason they used the Mustang was because "they wanted it to look like a cop car. This was his personal car and he wasn't a rich guy, he didn't have a real nice car. And it was Steve's idea to put the big dent in the fender, to show that it got banged up and he didn't have enough money or the time to fix it."
AKA 1 BULLITT------------ Legacy TMS Member
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From: U S A
Make belief never made more sense!
Got to hand it to Ford. Despite their short comings and their financial chuck hold they are masters at targeting their market.
Cobra Member
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Posts: 1,380
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Seems like the determining factor for you to choose a car is the meaning of a fictional movie, with a fictional characters, in a controlled enviroment, where scenes and stunts are rehersed until the final product is edited.
Make belief never made more sense!
Got to hand it to Ford. Despite their short comings and their financial chuck hold they are masters at targeting their market.
Make belief never made more sense!
Got to hand it to Ford. Despite their short comings and their financial chuck hold they are masters at targeting their market.
That's OK, it's why there are almost infinite variations for the Mustang, has been since day one.
