L.A. Auto Show – Ford brings Mustang Bullitt to life

Ford brings Mustang Bullitt to life

Ford announced it will introduce the
2001 Mustang Bullitt GT, a performance derivative
inspired by the legendary 1968 Mustang Fastback that
co-starred with Steve McQueen in the classic Warner
Bros. Pictures film, “Bullitt.”

The decision to put the Bullitt into production came
after Ford received overwhelming positive response
from consumers who first saw a concept version of the
car at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show.

“The movie has some of the greatest car-chase scenes
ever filmed,” says Ford Division President, Jim
O’Connor. “The 1968 Fastback Mustang GT 390, driven by
Steve McQueen, created an indelible image in the minds
of millions of people. We have taken some of the
passion from the Hollywood film and put it into an
exciting new car.”

The 2001 Bullitt features exterior enhancements that
visually and emotionally connect it to the 1968
Fastback from the film. These modifications include
unique side scoops, 17-inch Bullitt-style aluminum
wheels and a lowered suspension.

The C-pillars and quarter panel moulding have been
modified to create a unique look. Rocker-panel
mouldings enhance the low-to-the-ground appearance. A
bold, brushed aluminum fuel filler door is prominently
placed on the quarter panel.

Bullitt badging and polished-rolled tailpipe tips
further distinguish the car. Bullitt is available in
Dark Highland Green, True Blue and Black.

Click for larger image

The heart of Bullitt GT is a 4.6L SOHC V-8 modified to
improve airflow and reduce parasitic loses. It
produces at least 270 horsepower and significantly
more torque than the Mustang GT engine. Modifications
include:

• Twin 57mm bore throttle body

• Cast aluminum intake manifold
• High flow mufflers for increased power and
  aggressive performance sound

• Optimized alternator and pump pulley ratios

Bullitt’s suspension translates this power into crisp
road manners. The vehicle is lowered three-fourths of
an inch to generate a firmer, better-balanced ride and
improved handling characteristics. The
performance-handling package includes:

• Re-valved Tokico struts and shocks

• Unique stabilizer bars (front and rear)
• Frame rail connectors

Thirteen-inch Brembo front rotors and performance
calipers provide excellent stopping capability. The
calipers are painted red and are visible through the
17-inch wheels spokes when the car is parked or when
it is cruising the streets of San Francisco.

“Bullitt is quick off the line, handles great, stops
fast and shifts easily with improved pedal
relationship,” says Art Hyde, Mustang chief program
engineer. “This is the best performing GT we have ever
produced.”

Click for larger image

Inside, Bullitt features performance bucket seats with
Dark Charcoal leather trim. A brushed aluminum shifter
ball, shifter bezel, door sill plates with Bullitt
nomenclature and aluminum pedal covers accent the
interior’s performance appearance. The instrument
cluster is a modern interpretation of 1960s design and
offers unique curved numeric speedometer graphics and
a white-lit background.

“With the Mustang Bullitt, we have a lot of functional
features that would make Steve McQueen and Lt. Frank
Bullitt proud today,” says O’Connor. “Bullitt has
elevated the GT into an unforgettable car that
enhances Ford’s performance reputation and builds on
Mustang’s performance tradition that began with
vehicles like the Mach 1, Boss 302 and the 428 Cobra
Jet.”

All these features are included for a package price of
U.S.$3,695 MSRP (Canadian prices not announced). There
will be a limited production of about 5,000 Mustang
Bullitt GTs built on the same line of the Dearborn
Assembly Plant that produces the V6, GT and Cobra
Mustangs. Each Bullitt will come with a unique
serialized identification label from the factory to
ensure exclusivity and collectability.