Original ‘Bullitt’ Mustang Sells for Whopping $3.74M at Mecum’s
‘Bullitt,’ the car cherished by Mustang fans around the world, is now in the hands of a new owner after 45 years.
No doubt, Mecum’s auctions drive huge crowds throughout the year. But the Kissimmee 2020 auction in Florida today left plenty of mouths hollering and whooping, as the late Steve McQueen’s very own Mustang ‘Bullitt’ GT 390 crossed the block for the first time ever after nearly 50 years.
This one is just one of the two Mustangs Warner Brothers used in Bullitt (the other was found and VIN verified in Mexico). It was driven by McQueen himself all throughout the film. However the most profound scene is the infamous car chase scene of San Francisco, which is still arguably the most influential car chase scene both in Hollywood and in cinema history.
McQueen then tried for years to purchase the vehicle back after the film was done, but Sean Kiernan Jr., the second owner, refused. To McQueen family’s dismay, they were never able to retrieve the car before Steve’s death.
“This car has sold twice in its life, and it has been in my family for 45 years,” said Kiernan, emotionally waxing about the world’s most iconic GT. “Each time it has been sold, it was for $3,500. We’re going to start it off at that, and go from there.”
With no reserve in sight, it took no more than about 17 seconds before the bid soared to $2 million. And while the auction was expected to climb really early, the tension remained high throughout the 11-minute ordeal.
Needless to say, the Kiernan family is happy as kid in a candy shop right now. And we can’t blame them. But to the party that purchased it, they can now brag about having most expensive Mustang to ever exist.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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