**Regretfully Withdrawn** 1967 Ford Mustang 'Bullitt' Homage

Please note this lot has been sold pre-auction.

Already an outstanding success, the Mustang was turned into a legend overnight following its appearance in the Steve McQueen film, Bullitt, in 1968. In one of the most spectacular car chases ever seen in a motion picture, McQueen's maverick cop, Frank Bullitt, wowed audiences as he was pursued by two hitmen driving a Dodge Charger 440 'Magnum' in a high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco. Bullitt essentially did for movie car chases what Star Wars did for science fiction films. That's because, unlike other movies at the time, the stunt driving was all real; there were no cheap rear-screen projections used for the close-up shots of the actors, and none of the scenes were sped up in post-production to heighten the sense of speed. They didn't need to be, because those cars really were barrelling through the streets of San Francisco at over 110mph! There was a real sense of danger, unlike any movie chase before it, as the two muscle cars weaved through traffic and jumped over the hills of San Francisco, while the camera literally put you in the driving seat. The soundtrack is glorious too, and we don't mean the music soundtrack. Not a word of dialogue is spoken during the 11 minute-long sequence. Apart from the scene-setting jazz score that does a great job of building tension before the chase erupts in a cloud of tire smoke, there's no music either, allowing you to appreciate the sound of two thunderous V8 muscle cars and their screaming tortured tyres battling it out. It promptly became an unforgettable part of cinematic history and confirmed the Mustang as one of the all-time classics.

The car presented here is a 1968 Ford Mustang Steve McQueen 'Bullitt'-style Fastback with subtle upgrades to achieve the level of accuracy we see today. It was manufactured in 1967 at San Jose, California complete with fastback body and the 390ci (6.4-litre) high-performance V8 engine. The DSO tag confirms that it was built on 21st September and equipped with two front bucket seats, black interior, 4-speed manual transmission and the optional limited-slip differential before being delivered to Los Angeles. In 2008, it was subject to an exhaustive, professional, bare-metal restoration totalling over 2,000 man-hours using original Ford or American high-performance parts. This comprehensive rebuild included the replacement of any damaged or corroded body panels and the replacement of all chrome and brightwork with new parts. A complete new 'deluxe' interior was fitted, including new carpets, headlining, seating upholstery and the rare overhead console with integrated map lights. The original wood grain dashboard, instrumentation and door panel inserts were retained. Replicating the 'Bullitt' Mustang, the exterior is finished in correct Highland Green metallic and as per the film car, it is devoid of any insignias and has blacked-out grille and tail lamp details. As such, it is virtually indistinguishable from the McQueen car - especially as it now wears the famous JJZ registration number.

Mechanically, the Mustang has been fully rebuilt with the original 390ci 'Big Block' V8 engine now unleaded compatible and the incorporation of numerous tuning parts ensures that power now far exceeds the original's 320bhp. To handle this increase, the transmission, suspension and brakes were up-rated appropriately.

When completed, it was imported into the UK, where it has been serviced regularly, MOT'd and garaged. Owned by our vendor since 2018, it has benefitted from a new camshaft, followers and adjustable push rods, plus a new clutch, costing almost £3,500.

This special car is not just an ordinary Mustang; it has been restored to a far higher standard than the original and has the look, sound and - even more so - the authentic feel of the car Steve McQueen drove in the legendary chase. Converted to right-hand drive and built for reliable everyday use, it embodies the dream of driving a perfect recreation of the world's most famous Mustang - unleash your inner McQueen!