2001 and 2008 Ford Mustang GT Bullitt: An Official Trim (Part 2)
The 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt, like the movie car, was simply a “S-95 New Edge” Mustang GT with some styling changes on the inside and outside along with a slight increase in power due to a different intake manifold.
The exterior of the Mustang Bullitt featured a brushed fuel door,
blacked-out “coral” around the pony on the front grille section, power
coated red brake calipers with a silver “pony” emblem, more aerodynamic
rear body scoops, BULLITT badge on the left rear of the vehicle, and an
altered C-pillar. The C-pillar on the other 2001 Mustangs followed the
same line on the top and bottom; on the Bullitt, the side of the
C-pillar against the rear quarter window angled back in towards the
bottom, giving them a similar shape to that found on the 1968 Mustang
GT. And in keeping with the exterior cues of the 1968 Bullitt car, the
2001 units offered no fog lights or rear spoiler. The 2001 Bullitt was
offered in three colors: True Blue (723), Black (1,818), and Highland
Green (3041).
The exterior of the Mustang Bullitt featured a brushed fuel door,
blacked-out “coral” around the pony on the front grille section, power
coated red brake calipers with a silver “pony” emblem, more aerodynamic
rear body scoops, BULLITT badge on the left rear of the vehicle, and an
altered C-pillar. The C-pillar on the other 2001 Mustangs followed the
same line on the top and bottom; on the Bullitt, the side of the
C-pillar against the rear quarter window angled back in towards the
bottom, giving them a similar shape to that found on the 1968 Mustang
GT. And in keeping with the exterior cues of the 1968 Bullitt car, the
2001 units offered no fog lights or rear spoiler. The 2001 Bullitt was
offered in three colors: True Blue (723), Black (1,818), and Highland
Green (3041).
The interior trim was more subtle but kept in line with the “throwback”
scheme. The gauge cluster had the tall, thin numbers similar to those
of the 1968 Mustang cluster and brushed aluminum accents graced the
shifter, shift trim ring, door lock soldiers, and embossed BULLITT door
sill plates. The seats of the 2001 Ford Mustang GT Bullitt were
different from the standard GT that year. Modeled to look like the
seats found in the 1968 Mustang GT, many found them more comfortable
than the standard 2001 Mustang GT seats. The Bullitt sold for around
$26,300, about $2,500-$3,500 more than the other GT units sold for in
2001 (depending on options chosen).
The 2008 Ford Mustang GT Bullitt
The success of the newest “S-197” generation Ford Mustang, with its
vintage styling, has spawned a myriad of new trim lines based on
classic name plates. The first to hit the streets was the Shelby GT500,
next joined by the Shelby GT-H rental cars, and then followed by the
GT/CS (California Special) and the Chip Foose Stallion, based off the
styling of the “Eleanor Mustang” made popular by the 2000 remake of
Gone in Sixty Seconds. Those vintage names were joined by the usual
aftermarket performance companies such as Steeda, Saleen, and Roush,
while rumors about more trim lines continued: a return of the Boss
Mustang, the GT500 KR, and Shelby Super Snake. Starting in 2006 another
one of those pesky rumors surfaced, an alleged return of the Bullitt
Mustang. Once pictures of what appeared to be a modern Bullitt as well
as information about the car started to “leak”, those rumors began to
look a great deal more like facts.
The “leaked information” included sketchy details about production, so
while there are supposed to be 7,000 US market models made along with
700 for the Canadian market, there was no mention as to what they would
cost or how they would be distributed around North America. Of note,
the 2001 Bullitt was supposed to see 6,500 units, but only 5,582 made
it to production.
The engine followed the trend set by other Bullitt models: a 12
horsepower increase to the standard Mustang GT 4.6L engine, 312 total
horsepower further enhanced by the Ford Racing Power Pack. The “x-pipe”
exhaust system and custom exhaust tips would be unique to the Bullitt.
3.73 ratio gears finished off the drivetrain modifications. Like the
movie car, the new Mustang Bullitt received an upgraded and tuned
suspension system, a strut tower brace, and improved steering system to
give the car a sportier feel.
The exterior received modifications typical of a Bullitt Mustang.
Highland Green and Black were the colors offered, the front grille was
similar to that found on the V6 without fog lights or a “pony”, red
brake calipers, gun metal gray “Bullitt” wheels with a silver ring, as
well as the removal of the standard GT rear spoiler. Capping off the
exterior modifications was a non-functional rear mounted brushed
aluminum gas cap, embossed with the Bullitt logo and trimmed in
Charcoal Gray — similar to the wheels. The main interior attraction of
the 2008 Bullitt Mustang were the seats, unique to Bullitt models and
referred to by Ford as “sport seating”. The shifter, shift trim ring,
and other minor trim pieces will have a brushed silver finish, as will
the door sill plates.
It is likely that this will inspire a new generation of people rushing
out to rent the McQueen classic and, like the 2001 models, become a
sought after collectable.