What makes the Bullitt Mustang such a legendary part of Mustang history, and what happens when three of them show up at once? We found out firsthand at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where we had the rare chance to witness an unforgettable display: two pre-production 2019 Bullitt Mustangs and the original 1968 movie car, all in one place.
As a lifelong Mustang lover and Director of Pony Parts Australia, I (Alan) had the privilege of being there to take it all in, and what I saw reminded me why the bullitt mustang remains one of the most iconic special editions Ford has ever built.
“Bullitt. Bullitt. Bullitt – yes, that’s right, three of them,” I wrote after attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, while visiting family in London.
Ford UK had two brand-new pre-production 2019 50th Anniversary Bullitt Mustangs on display. One sat proudly in a display tower, where the public could sit in the car, shift gears and soak in that unmistakable dark highland green finish, a colour that instantly took me back to the 1960s GT Falcon, one of my personal favourites.
The second 2019 model was displayed in the First Glance Paddock, but the real showstopper was what sat beside it. It was parked alongside the original Steve McQueen movie Bullitt car! Now just over 50 years old and in very original rough condition, which adds to the character, charm and unique heritage. To see it in person unrestored, unpolished, and unmistakably real was truly surreal. It wasn’t just about the car; it was about the history it represented.
(A rare look inside the original 1968 Bullitt Mustang – unrestored and full of character.)
The bullitt mustang isn’t just another special edition, it’s a direct link to one of the most famous car chase scenes in cinema history, driven by none other than Steve McQueen himself. The cool factor is timeless. But beyond the film fame, it’s the authenticity of the car that keeps people hooked.
“What a treat, a real down-to-earth, delightful guy,” I said after meeting Sean Kiernan, the current owner of the original Bullitt car, and the son of the man who bought and stored the vehicle for over 30 years. It was left to him by his late father Robert, who had kept the car hidden away from public view in fear of it being stolen.
(Alan Porter (left) standing with Sean Kiernan, owner of the original Bullitt Mustang.)
We only touched on it during our Goodwood trip, but if you want to go deeper into how that long-lost car was rediscovered and revealed, we highly recommend this detailed article on how the Mustang from Bullitt was found.
What really struck me at Goodwood was how rare it was to see Mustangs on the road in the UK.
The UK population is three times the size of Australia, and yet, I didn’t see one Mustang on the road the whole time I was there. Only one GT parked on the street.
Compare that with Australia, where the Mustang community is thriving. In fact, we were told that while the UK was expected to receive around 300 Bullitt Mustangs, Australia was set to get 700, shipped in three batches. Not only that, Australia now has priority for right-hand-drive Mustangs, getting three cars for every one sent to the UK.
That says a lot about the passion for the Mustang car here. And at Pony Parts Australia, we’re proud to be a committed part of that community – supplying Mustang owners across the country with parts, knowledge, and support for their Mustang rides
The original bullitt mustang may have lived most of its life in hiding, but its spirit lives on in the 2019 special edition models, in the movie it starred in, and in the hearts of Mustang enthusiasts everywhere.
For us at Pony Parts Australia, it’s not just about selling our DriveSave Spare Wheel Kits, it’s about celebrating what makes these cars so meaningful. We love hearing from customers restoring a classic, upgrading a daily driver, or building their dream Bullitt tribute.
And if you’re hitting the road in your Mustang, if it’s a model from 2015 onwards, we always recommend being prepared. Our DriveSava Spare Wheel Kit is designed to fit neatly in your boot, clear Brembo brakes (GT350/GT500), and get you back on the road without compromising performance or style, because every Mustang deserves to be ready for the next adventure.
It’s the story. It’s the sound. It’s the chase. It’s the fact that over 50 years later, we still gather around it in person, online, and on the road.
If you’re part of this Mustang community, whether you’ve owned 10 Mustangs or you’re just getting started, check out Pony Parts Australia to join the community!
Explore our DriveSava Spare Wheel Kit, or just get in touch if you have any questions. We’re here to support the Aussie Mustang community, because that’s what drives us.
