This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bullitt, the cult-classic thriller starring the late Steve McQueen as a gutsy San Francisco detective. The film’s breathtaking chase scenes made McQueen’s dark green Mustang GT 390 Fastback arguably the most iconic movie car of all time. To commemorate the milestone, Ford unveiled the 50th Anniversary 2019 Bullitt Mustang (shown above) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Auto enthusiasts can also express their love of McQueen and the Bullitt Mustang—thanks to the vast inventory of parts and accessories available on eBay Motors. Here are a few ideas to Bullit-ize your ride.
American Racing Torq Thrust wheels
No Badging, Bullitt Gas Cap, and Dark Green Paint
Building a Bullitt-tribute car—or one inspired by Steve McQueen’s rugged charm—starts with removing the badging (as he did). A de-badged blacked-out grille with chrome trim will set the nose apart from the crowd, while a spoiler-free rear deck lid and Bullitt Mustang faux gas filler cap will set off the tail. Also, it’s a must to change the exterior to Dark Highland Green paint. (If a full paint-job is beyond your budget, you might get by with Plastidip applied by a professional.)
Classic Torq Thrust Wheels
Gunmetal-gray American Racing Torq Thrust wheels are practically required, as are blacked-out exhaust tips. You’ll want to avoid adding a hood scoop or stripes. Bullitt Mustangs are stealthy cool and rarely flashy.
Ford Racing cue-ball white shift knob
Ford Racing Shift Knob
A cue-ball white shift knob is the only way to go if you want to pay tribute to Steve McQueen’s original car. eBay Motors has a lot of options to consider. We like the Ford Racing knob, as well as the classic Hurst knob. You’ll also want to add a Bullitt-branded center steering wheel cap, which pops up on eBay Motors throughout the year.
Upgraded Suspension
If you want to drive more like McQueen, it makes sense to upgrade the dampers and tighten things up. The second-gen Bullitt Mustang includes a factory strut brace and upgraded sway bars. Brands such as Koni, Eibach, Bilstein, HY&R, and KW offer an endless array of suspension-upgrade choices.
Or Do What Ford Did with Its Tributes
2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt
The 2019 Bullitt tribute car marks the third time in two decades that Ford offered a movie-inspired Mustang. The first-edition Bullitt Mustangs were built exclusively for the 2001 model year. They were most notable for their cosmetic touches and suspension tweaks—Tokico shocks, short-throw shifter, and short-length sub-frame connectors.
2008 Bullitt Mustang
McQueen’s signature adorns the 2008 Bullitt Mustang
The second-edition 2008-2009 Bullitt Mustang was a big step up. It looked more like the original 1968 model while benefitting from an upgraded drivetrain and an exhaust tuned to sound like the original movie car.
The 2008-2009 Bullitt’s exterior differed subtly from GTs of that vintage, with a rear spoiler delete, shaved emblems, and Torq-Thrust wheels. The interior featured aluminum trim pieces and an aluminum shift knob, along with other unique trim pieces and gauges.
2019 Bullitt Mustang
The third-edition 2019 Bullitt Mustang is the most impressive of all, producing an impressive 475 horsepower with a top speed of 163 miles per hour. The engine sees a horsepower gain over the 2018 GT—thanks to larger throttle bodies, a GT350 Intake Manifold, and an open-air filter element. Bright-red Brembo calipers and special wheels pin down the corners. The Bullitt’s cockpit includes black leather-upholstered Recaro bucket seats with green stitching, a Bullitt steering wheel center cap—and the signature interior item—a retro white shift knob.
