Yeah, I got the Bullitt from Ford. My editor said that in his opinion “It was about time”, but I think that he misunderstood what I meant!

The Bullitt that I actually got was the all new Mustang Bullitt, the car designed to refresh in our minds, that famous 1968 Steve McQueen movie of the same title.

Come on now, if you really profess to love all things automotive, then you have to have seen that one! It is simply the greatest high-speed car chase film ever made. Don’t just take my word, ask any motor-head and they’ll back me up on that. It featured a rip roaring chase at breakneck speed up and down the hills of San Francisco in a souped up green and mean looking Ford Mustang GT. If there ever was a film made for the muscle car fan, it’s the Bullitt movie.

It also blended two of my favorite childhood memories, classic Ford Mustangs, and every little boy’s hero, Mr. Steve McQueen himself!

I’ve loved the Mustang ever since my dad owned one when I was younger. That was a very rare car back in 70’s England, and talk about giving an 11 year old boy street credibility, “My dad drives a Mustang Mach1, what does yours drive?”!!!!

Then, of course, we have Steve McQueen, the man on the motorcycle in that other epic movie, “The Great Escape”. You know, I can watch that film over and over and I still end up cheering him on and hoping that he makes it over the wire this time! In fact, my Mum always blamed him for turning me onto motorbikes! (Thanks Steve, I owe you one!).

Oh, happy memories, but isn’t that what these modern-retro muscle cars are truly all about?

Well, if that is the case, then Ford deserves a big pat on the back for the Bullitt, because not only does it look and sound like a classic Mustang, but it actually makes you feel like you’re driving one.

I’m not joking there! As soon as you get within eyesight of the car, it screams at you, “Come on, McQueen, let’s go for a rip”! The menacing, dark Highland green paintwork says, “I’m an evil wicked mean and nasty machine”, and then you suddenly notice that it actually bears an uncanny resemblance to the original car used in the film.

It has to be said that Ford did a grand job designing the new Mustang, and in many ways, the Bullitt slams that home to you. It doesn’t need a flashy rear spoiler. It doesn’t need any go-fast striping. Heck, it doesn’t even need the famous pony emblem on the front honeycomb grille! (The car in the film didn’t have one, so Ford didn’t put one on the Bullitt).

I tell you, this car sits there on its retro-looking magnesium wheels just lusting and drooling for the open road.

Of course, looks play an important role in this vehicle, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a pushover in the power department. The Bullitt boasts a reworked 4.6L V8 which delivers 315hp, and 325lb/ft of torque. Add to this a slick 5 speed manual gearbox, and a unique 3.73:1 rear end, and we’re talking a Bullitt which goes, well, like a Bullitt. Yes, I think that’s a fair description!