Four decades after hitting the big screen and redefining the on-screen car chase, the Ford Mustang Bullitt returns to the streets in 2008, blending the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology. Most performance car enthusiasts are well versed in the background and details of Ford’s green retro machine that carries the name of the 1968 flick staring the late Steve McQueen.
During the week I was testing a Mustang Bullitt, enthusiasts along with friends and co-workers faced me down with the same question: “What’s the retro verdict?” The “retro verdict” refers to Mustang Bullitt or Challenger R/T as the retro king. Answer to follow.
In 2003 a V-8 packing 300 horsepower was still considered fast. Since that time, other cars have also crowded the road -- including some front-wheel drive sedans -- that have more horses than a stock Mustang GT. Yet Ford is smiling all the way to the bank proving that more horses don’t equal more sales. When GM whacked the Camaro/Firebird in 2002, Ford was already ahead in the affordable V-8, rear-wheel drive sporty car segment sales race. This has been the case since the 1980s as the Mustang has consistently lagged behind its rivals in the power department but had greater overall sales due to its affordable pricing model.
Today, that pricing model translates into a base price of $27,020 for a standard Mustang GT. The test vehicle added the Bullitt package for $3,310, Sirius Satellite Radio for $195, anti-theft system for $325, HID headlamps for $525, nav system for $1,995, interior ambient lighting, and TripTunes both for $295. So, with the destination charge of $745, that brought the total up to $34,705.
The Bullitt has a little more firepower than standard GTs. Under the Highland Green sheet metal (black is also available) resides a 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 that pumps out 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Under power you’ll note that the engine calibration is set to increase throttle response for a stronger acceleration kick. The Bullitt features the first use of an open-element air filter in a factory-produced, fuel-injected Mustang. An offshoot of the Ford Racing program is an intake squeezed in behind the driver side headlamp, mounted in an air box. The hood liner was extensively modified to provide a full seal to the air box, ensuring that the engine is force-fed a stream of cooler air.
So, has Ford shaken the ghosts of the past? Yes. The Bullitt is a thoroughly modern machine that looks like the past but fast forwards to modern safety, build quality and ease of use standards. While I like the original 1968 Mustang and ‘70-’74 Challengers, I could not imagine driving any of those cars to work everyday -- even if they were fully restored. I did drive the Bullitt and Challenger to work everyday and enjoyed every squealing, engine roaring, rattle-free, comfortable minute.
Like a GT, the Bullitt’s interior is a modern take on the original1966 design, but the Bullitt package adds a nice hand-machined, aluminum swirl dash panel appliqué. The shifter is topped with a polished aluminum ball–a white Hurst shift ball would have been cooler. The rest of the interior is Charcoal Black leather and Satin metallic trim. I liked the aluminum pedal covers but they are a little slippery. Don’t look for the Bullitt name to be stamped pressed or stitched on every flat piece of the interior. The only identifying marks visible are the logo and gun-sight graphic mounted in the center of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the word “Bullitt” embossed into the metal sill plates. You’ll like the upgraded seats as they closely resemble the ones in Shelby GT500s and as such provide added lumbar and bolster support.
Pulling out onto road you’ll experience smooth clutch engagement and a quick throttle. When you slap the shift lever into gear you have to use a bit of muscle and motion to maximize shifts just like to good ‘ole days and that’s how it should be in a car like the Bullitt.
Ford indicates that you can now reach a top speed of 151 mph on a closed course. In normal situations like standing starts, the Bullitt’s torque comes on strong, and it actually feels (and sounds) like there are more horses under the hood.
The chassis and suspension have been upgraded from GT specification with new shocks and struts. The difference is that the new parts allow more aggressive driving characteristics that you’ll feel in the seat of your pants. I was able to drive the Bullitt harder and more aggressively with confidence than a stock GT. The changes really wake up the Mustang and give it a handling edge over the Challenger R/T. Ford engineers tightened up things with a tower-to-tower brace designed specifically for the Bullitt. This “stiff arm” provides additional torsional and lateral rigidity to the chassis for improved cornering. This is the set up Mustang drivers were looking for back in ’68.
The brakes also receive an upgrade via aggressive front pads that were developed specifically to improve fade resistance and pedal feel, and I noticed the difference.
In the rear the Bullitt’s live rear axle uses a unique 3.73:1 gear that helped launch the Bullitt hard.
Rolling stock consists of Dark Argent Gray spoke wheels wearing P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDWS tires.
All together the new bits and pieces allow this soldier to be all it can be with a firm but not harsh ride.
So what’s the verdict? Well, short of the supercharged models like the Shelby GT500 and tuner versions like the Roush 427, the Bullitt is the best- driving Mustang on the road -- especially for the price.
My two main complaints are the lack of horses and the six-cylinder exterior look. Ford says it painstakingly tried to mimic the movie car right down to the dark green paint and lack of exterior badges, scoops and spoilers. I think it looks invisible like a rental or low-end base model with nice wheels.
Would I buy a Bullitt? Yes … after I bought a 2009 Challenger R/T. The Mustang has the handling edge, feels less brutish and is less heavy. In my opinion the Challenger is even rougher than the Bullitt and stands out more as it has the extra spoilers, hood scoops and a sharp chrome gas filler cap and badges. The pricing is a give-and-take depending on which options you select. While it’s true that the Challenger’s extra weight offsets some of the additional horses it carries, I like knowing I’m packing extra heat. I also like the Challenger’s larger back seat and trunk, which will allow it perform secondary duty to comfortably carry the whole family or a small group of friends and their gear.
This year Ford built 7,700 copies and could have sold more. So the demand is there. The Bullitt is affordable, fun to drive and represents the best performance Mustang for the buck -- just keep the wheels on the ground.
