By Ken NG
In the classic Hollywood movie Bullitt, Steve McQueen, who plays detective, drives a Ford Mustang through the undulating streets of San Francisco, chasing gangsters and movie fans alike.
At that time, the dark green mustang driven by McQueen has changed hands several times and disappeared for many years, and even McQueen himself cannot buy it back. Decades later, this "McQueen Mustang" is about to appear on the auction floor, and it will be auctioned at a reserve price. Seller Sean Kiernan expects to be trading for US$5 million (RMB34.2 million). Once that happens, it will set a new auction record for for The Mustang models.
The Ford Mustang in the play is now on the auction floor
McQueen loved the Mustang
Since its production in 1964, the Ford Mustang has produced more than 10 million units. This one, which was involved in the filming, is certainly the most impressive one. In the 10-minute car chase scene in the play, many of which were played by McQueen himself.
At that time, the production company prepared two Ford Mustangs for filming, one for car chase scenes and the other for car shots and promotional photos. It is the former that is filmed this time. The car is fitted with Ford-side GT parts, a pair of 390 CI V8 engines, and a maximum horsepower of 325 HP.
▲ McQueen personally participated in the car chase scene in the play
▲ The chase began along the streets of San Francisco
For the sake of shooting, the car has been modified in many places to improve performance and handling. The front ghost mask, the rear badge and reversing lights were removed, and the four wheels were replaced with American Racing Torq Thrust rims, which looked more vicious.
McQueen himself loves the car, believing it to be very personal, not just a general movie prop. After filming, he kept tracking down the whereabouts of the car. However, after the car changed hands twice, McQueen Kun could not start at the beginning and could not find the owner.
▲ The car is equipped with a pair of 390 CI V8 engines
According to industry information, the film company Warner drew on the film and sold the car to its employee Robert Ross. In 1970, the car was transferred to New Jersey State Police Officer Frank Marranca. Four years later, Marranca advertised the car in the car magazine Road & Track, which was purchased by Robert Kiernan, the father of the current collector Kieran, for US$3,500.
During this time, McQueen never gave up, and finally found Robert in 1977. He sent a letter asking Robert if he could transfer the car to him, hoping that he would not take the car to repair, keep it in the same condition as when shooting, and even say that he could find another Mustang for him as compensation.
▲ The car is still in its original state
▲ McQueen wrote to Robert, hoping that the other party would transfer the Mustang
However, Robert did not respond to McQueen, and the car remained in Kieran's home for use as a family car, which did not contribute to the good. Eventually, the Mustang was left in the Kieran family's garage in 1980 due to a broken clutch, and McQueen died the same year.
Since then, there has been no news about the car. Until recent years, the industry has spread the location of this Mustang. Ford auto expert Kevin Marti went to verify that the Mustang was indeed the one driven by McQueen in "Full of Guts"
He said he had received several requests over the years to verify some models suspected to be "McQueen Mustangs." A few years ago, another Ford Mustang was found on "Guts In the Guts" at a waste disposal site in Mexico. However, the source information of the car is far less than the part of this auction.
▲ Ford launches a new Mustang to launch the 2019 Bullitt version
▲ The rear of the car is equipped with a Bullitt badge
Ford factory also attaches great importance to the "McQueen Mustang", in 2018 for the new Mustang, launched the 2019 Bullitt version, the body color with dark green, the rear of the car replaced by a Bullitt badge, to pay tribute to the "McQueen Mustang". For details, see "THE FORD MUSTANG BULLIT IN TRIBUTE TO STEVE MCQUEIN FOR DETAILS" ABOVE.
After the verification, Kieran decided to sell the car and give it to Mecum Auction for auction. In terms of fame, Mecum, which specializes in car auctions, is not as good as RM Sotheby's, Bonhams or Gooding. But Mecum set a record for the Ford Mustang auction early last year, with a 1967 Shelby GT500 sold for US$2.2 million (RMB14.7 million), as detailed in the previous article" in "The 50-Year Challenge of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500".
As long as the "McQueen Mustang" sold for more than US$2.2 million, it can become the most expensive Ford Mustang. For this auction, Mecum specially set up a special page to introduce and arranged for the TV station to broadcast the auction process live, which shows how much attention is attached.
But why would such an important car choose to be auctioned at an open price? Kieran explained, "I don't want to sell this car one more time." (Editor's note: If the car is auctioned and the bid price does not reach the seller's reserve price, the car will be returned to the seller.) This situation is exempt from auctions without reserve price, and any bid can be sold. ）
▲ He once drove a Ferrari 275GTB and sold it at a high price in 2014
The banks reassured The Kierans, expecting the McQueen Mustang to sell for at least US$3 million. Kieran is expected to be more expensive, up to US$5 million. To give you a little additional information, the cars that Steve McQueen has driven, or his car collection, have always been highly sought after. He owned a Ferrari 275GTB that he sold in 2014 for nearly US$10.2 million (RMB62.9 million).
Ford Mustang GT "Bullitt"
Lot no.: F150
Year of manufacture: 1968
Estimates are pending