1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt recreation

Highlights

• Genuine ‘C code’ 1968 Fastback

• US-built, show-winning ‘Bullitt’ recreation

• New crate 302ci V8 with 5-speed manual transmission

• Fully restored cabin

• Exceptional condition inside and out

Overview

Ask any petrolhead what’s the best car chase ever committed to film and you’ll hear all manner of answers. Ronin, Speed Racer, French Connection, Mad Max, Blues Brothers… the list goes one. But we reckon one film will crop up more than any other, and that film is ‘Bullitt’.
There’s a damn good reason for that, besides the excellent car chase: it’s because there’s cool and then there’s “Steve McQueen in a 1968 Fastback Mustang playing tag with a Dodge Charger on the streets of ‘Frisco” cool. That’s the kind of cool that even Kelvin can’t reach.

That Highland Green ‘68 Fastback immediately earned its place at the top table in the hall of iconic movie cars, and remains a huge favourite amongst all generations of car enthusiasts. So much so that Ford were still selling ‘Bullitt’ special editions of their latest Mustang until a couple of years ago. But, of course, the ‘68 is the one you want. That’s the genuine article, the real McCoy. Anything else is just cosplay.

As luck would have it, the aforementioned “real McCoy” is precisely what we have here. Just take a moment to salivate a bit over the images.

It’s a bit good isn’t it? Scratch that, this thing is divine. Built from an original ‘C code’ 1968 Mustang Fastback in Florida during 2023, the current owner loved it so much that they came back to Blighty with the world’s coolest holiday souvenir. There’s no arguing with the quality on display here. Full, bare-metal respray, new panels, new interior, new crate engine (a deliciously burbly 5-litre V8) and a classic 5-speed manual transmission – it really does hit all the right notes.

Stunningly well restored mechanically and aesthetically, we’ve rarely seen such a well-judged and immaculately presented classic. We’re willing to bet that you want to park it in your garage as much as we do. And you should. But only on the condition that we can come around every now and then just to stare at it a bit. Please?

History and documentation

• Registered in the UK on 1 March 2024

• Purchased from Florida in November 2023

• Comprehensively restored in the USA (fully documented)

• Built from an original ‘C code’ car

• Many receipts and invoices from the State-side restoration, and from work undertaken since import to the UK

• Original US MARTI report

• Winner of two gold medals at classic shows in the US (trophies included)

• ‘Highly Recommended’ in the Stars and Stripes Show at Tatton Park in July 2024

• The new crate engine has just 3,000 miles on it

• 81,949 miles on the 5-figure odometer

• Two sets of keys

• Full service carried out in March 2025, including brake fluid and coolant renewal

• We’re told that the car will come with a fresh MOT

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

• Historic vehicle status means it is tax and MOT exempt

Interior

• Extensively restored with incredible attention to detail, everything is in ‘nearly new’ condition with little to no wear in evidence

• New seat foam and black vinyl seat covers

• New door cards and dash pad

• New headliner

• New black carpets with black Mustang branded rubber over-mats

• Beautiful period-style wood rimmed steering wheel and matched gear knob

• All of the brightwork in the cabin is truly sumptuous, with no speckling or UV damage on show

• The instruments, controls and switchgear are clear and presented in super condition

• An additional temperature gauge has been installed for peace of mind

• Aftermarket ‘Retro Sound’ radio with Bluetooth fitted - maintaining the period look of the cabin, but offering modern convenience

• Steve McQueen signature sticker on the glove box

• The boot is generous and features a check-pattern vinyl liner

• A full-size spare wheel is present

• No faults or issues with the cabin equipment are reported, assuring us that everything works just as it should

Exterior

• Classic Highland Green paintwork is simply stunning, with no notable marks, chips or blemishes that we could discern

• All of the bodywork looks to be in excellent condition, with no corrosion, damage or misalignment apparent

• As part of the restoration process, new quarter panels, wings, boot floor and boot lid were all fitted

• All of the external brightwork was replaced with new items during the restoration, unsurprisingly it is in very fine fettle, with no dulling, pitting or speckling we could see

• A new front windscreen has also been fitted

• New door handles and locks have been fitted

• In January 2024 the car was fully treated underneath with Lanoguard

• The underside of the car is in outstanding condition, with not a hint of corrosion or damage – we’ve seen new cars that don’t look this good underneath

• Genuine 15-inch American Racing Equipment Torque Thrust alloy wheels, with dark grey centres and polished barrels/lips – all are in uncommonly good condition

• The wheels are shod in a matched set of BF Goodrich tyres with white lettering, good tread depth and no sidewall damage or wear we could identify

Mechanical

• The engine bay is immaculately presented and belies the car’s years

• Custom Steve McQueen plaque in the engine bay

• ATK high performance crate 302ci V8 (5 litre) with just 3,000 miles on it 

• The engine is rated from new at 240bhp / 325lb-ft

• 4-barrel 600cfm Holley carburettor with electric choke

• The car was originally an automatic, but has been converted to manual

• Refurbished 5-speed Tremec manual transmission, new clutch

• Refurbished rear axle

• The restoration included the following: new springs, dampers, brake lines, suspension arms, front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, standard twin exhaust, fuel tank, American Auto wiring loom

• Aluminium intake manifold

• 4-row aluminium radiator

• Billet aluminium engine pulleys

• Aftermarket air-conditioning system by ‘Vintage Air’

• Power Master 100A alternator (fitted in the UK, November 2024)

• We’re assured that the car starts, idles, drives and stops just as it should, with no known mechanical issues

• We have to say, it sounds absolutely incredible, without being obnoxiously loud – a very neat trick

Summary

No car is perfect. Nothing crafted by human hands can be. But, good gravy, this phenomenal machine is as close as we’ve seen. We tried, we really, really tried, to find something even slightly negative to say. Anything to balance out all of the “it’s very shiny and marvellous and burbly and we love it” excitement. But, in all honesty, we couldn’t. It’s that good.

Without building an actual time machine and going back to 1968, we reckon this is as close as you’ll get to driving McQueen’s ‘Bullitt’ Mustang when it was new.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then you might be on the wrong website…

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Stockport.