If you haven't seen the movie Bullitt, or it has been awhile since you experienced that now-famous seven-minute chase scene between Steve McQueen in his 1968 Ford Mustang GT and a Dodge Charger, then drop by your local video store for a refresher between now and January. That's when Ford will start building a limited run of 2008 Mustang Bullitts for sale in the U.S. and Canada. The 7700 Mustang Bullitts are expected to sell out within a month or two of going on sale—every 2001 Mustang Bullitt (5000 were built) was spoken for within about 60 days. The 2008 model, which is being serialized, will sell for $31,075. It will be formally unveiled at November's L.A. auto show. This latest take on the car made famous by the movie—or was it vice versa?—is deliberately understated. No shiny bits, scoops, or spoilers, and little badging or nomenclature. Like the original '68 and the reprised 2001 Mustang Bullitt, the '08 marks the return of the exclusive Dark Highland Green paint. The only other choice: black. The Bullitt name appears in the metal sill plates, in the center of the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and in the gun-sight graphic centered in the faux gas cap on the decklid. There's Gotta Be a Pony in Here Somewhere There is no pony in the grille, making it the only horseless Ford Mustang in recent history (we don't include the Shelbys, with their snakes). The Bullitt uses a Mustang GT front fascia with a new black-mesh grille encircled by a satin aluminum strip, a nod to the chrome accent piece on the movie car. Film buffs may recall there was no pony in the grille in the movie and no exterior badging. Ford officials aren't sure if it was stripped for the camera's sake or if the Mustang arrived on set without a prancer up front. The cast-aluminum Euro-Flange wheels of the 2008 model mimic the 14- and 15-inchers on the original, but modernization demanded an upgrade to 18-inchers on the new model. It wears the same P235/50-18 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires that Ford Racing uses at its performance driving school at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Continuing the muted theme, the brakes are done in dark gray with matching calipers. ~car and driver
