Ford unearthed the iconic motor that featured in one of the ultimate movie car chases. It disappeared decades ago but was found in time to launch a special edition Mustang for the film's 50th anniversary
THE legendary Ford Mustang from the 1968 classic Bullitt has been unearthed - 40 years after it disappeared.
The original icon was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show alongside an all-new 163mph 50th anniversary special edition of the Bullitt Mustang.
Steve McQueen raced the American muscle car in one of the ultimate movie car chases of all time - but it hadn't been seen since the 1970s.
It shot to fame in the near-10 minute long sequence that features explosions, high-speed jumps and near misses as McQueen chases down two hitmen through the streets of San Francisco.
There were two identical Mustang GT fastbacks used during filming and both were sold off once the movie was wrapped up.
One, used in many of the jumps during the famous chase scene, ended up at a salvage yard - resurfacing just last year.
The other, the hero car driven by the "King of Cool" in the movie, was sold by Warner Bros to a private buyer, but its whereabouts was unknown.
That was until owner Sean Kiernan got in touch with Ford to bring it back to life.
Sean inherited the car in 2014 from his late father, Robert, who had purchased the vehicle in 1974.
He said: "You know, it was never our intention to keep this car a secret from everybody.
"It just kind of happened with life. I’m just completely buzzing to join with Ford and the new Bullitt and show this car to the world on one of the biggest stages there is.";
The Hollywood icon, which set new standards for movie car chases, wowed fans at it was revealed alongside the new special edition.
The new V8 Bullitt Mustang produces 475bhp with a top speed of 163mph.
It was launched by third-generation McQueen family member Molly in a tongue-in-cheek remake of the Bullitt scene.
In the clip Molly races a modern-day Dodge Charger around a car park to secure the final empty space.
Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer, said: "This new Bullitt is, as Steve McQueen was, effortlessly cool.
"As a designer, it’s my favorite Mustang – devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges. It doesn’t need to scream about anything – it’s just cool."
Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer, added: "When making a Bullitt, there are certain things it absolutely must have.
"It has to have the right attitude, it has to be unique in some way from a Mustang GT, and more than anything, it has to be bad ass."
