THE UNEXPECTED BULLITT News
The true BULLITT Enthusiast network site 

© Wolfgang Kohrn - Last updated on  February 6th, 2009

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Archived News - Shortcuts  

 Le Marginal 1983  Tims Bullitt replica  Chads GCM Bullitt in MM 
 Venezuelan Bullitt   Supercharged 2008   Drive-In at 45th   Bullitt jackets   Maharajah Bullitt   2010 Bullitt?   Chads new Bullitt   CDC more info   Charger found?   Car Magazine's poll   CDC Flashback Bullitt style   October 2008 BULLITT action    Glen Kalmacks 68 replica    Mustangs Plus Tribute Bullitt    Kari Möro and D.Kunz replicas featured in mags  

 

   
Jan.18th, 2009
L'autre Bullitt Chase Scene (1983)
The french Mustang Enthusiasts are well-known for that extra research on rare ponies. 
Ludovico Capurso pointed us to this special car once used in a 1983 Movie with Jean-Paul Belmondo. The movie is called "The Marginal". I had heard and seen that car, but I never saw the chase scene. 

Well, www.madness-us-cars.com makes it possible to review the entire chase scene and you can clearly see resemblance of some scenes of J.P. Belmondo and his driving to the Bullitt chase scene, although the atmosphere and coolness is still not matched in my view. Anyway it was certainly an 80ies trial for a remake of the most famous chase scene.

Ludovico thinks, it was indeed a tribute from Belmondo to Steve McQueen ..choosing a Mustang Coupé 1967 Luxury for his race. Ford France imported typically batches of cars. In 1967 they imported exactly 83 390GT with luxury options, 289 K-codes not counted to my knowledge as of now.

"According to this french web site the motor was a  V8 289 code K, High Performance with 271 horse power. Check out the video of the chasing race there. The front of the car looks really agressive and large tyres add even more agressivity."
But what we learn from this including the surviving car, is that even an though an attempt was made for a remake, neither the car nor the surviving car match the samy mystery of the original Bullitt movie car:
So again, let's preserve the Bullitt history and future with that mystery.
   

Jan. 4th, 2009
We start into 2009 with a new 
replica based on a 67 GT from London , UK

Tim U. owns this fabulous Bullitt Mustang replica, a ’67 GT only recently imported from California, with a new 302ci V8 and 5 speed manual. 
With a UK registration ‘JJZ’ plate it’s been fully debadged & dechromed with the Bullitt movie car’s matching interior, dash, wheels, pipes, exterior, front disk brakes etc.


More pics from this car in the European Replica section of this site.  
   
Dec. 31st, 2008
We forgot about a new Franklin Mint 1:24 diecast model
195 Dollars and this is yours. From Franklin Mint comes this new diecast model that has to compete with the Danbury scale model from now on. You'll be your own judge, which one is better.
At least it won the SEMA 2008 Global Media award.


Pictures courtesy Franklin Mint
   
Dec. 17th, 2008
We said it earlier further down this page and now Mustang Monthly is just out  
with the Gateway Classic Mustang/Year One Tribute Bullitt. Manufactured based on a Dynacorn 67 body shell and featuring a Boss 347 engine.

Received my January issue already on 17th December (and that overseas!) and it's a nice article on page 22.
Seems I was wrong on the supportive historian with Jim S., since it was Matt Stone providing stills to point out the differences of the movie car. 


In my view it is rather a tribute car  than a replica, whatever the difference this may make for you. The car is built for being driven hard by Chad. One could think he is ready to play the role of his father himself by now in the Remake of BULLITT with all that experience in his 01, 08 Bullitt and now 68 Tribute Mustang.

Update: Mustang Monthly has the article online now: Click here
   
Dec. 14th, 2008
Ismael Leoncini is definitely a Bullitt maniac and one of us. Being from Venezuela, he had indeed a tough time in locating a suitable project car for his dream: To own a Bullitt replica and drive it like Steve around his neighbourhood.

We will support Ismael in his adventure like so many before and hope he keeps us updated on his project car.
More soon.
   
Dec. 11th, 2008
Many a 2008 Bullitt owner is or was disappointed
about the missing extra performance package, when the car came out.Don has found an easy answer and we will have a look into this optional power package of a Saleen supercharger on a BULLITT Mustang.

It served Don to find a new mate called Steve for his ride, even if only in his imagination. 

Time is too short to keep this website running perfectly smooth, but we try harder once and then. At least I add the engine pic already and Don's description. Maybe at a later date, we dive more into the supercharger topic..

This is a Series VI 475hp Supercharger Kit from www.stillen.com .It's designed for any 2005-2008, 4.6, 3V Mustang GT to boost it to 475 hp and 420 lb of torque. It has a unique inverse design and open bends coupled with twin screw blower assembly, pushes air directly into the combustion chamber. The ad says, it is compact, lightweight and highly efficient. The blower housing, assembly and intercooler in one compact unit nestles neatly in the valley between the heads.Maximum air flow with about than 7 lbs of boost equals less engine stress and heat. The Saleen-SC kit includes benefits from a specific Saleen PowerFlash performance computer, 3.875" pulley, 39lbs injectors and an improved air intake.

Cost is around 7,500 USD, installed by aFord Dealer.
3  year warranty. Don has not done a Dyno test done yet!
Note: the Bullitt # strut will not fit with the Saleen supercharger has to be removed, Don had to purchase a Saleen / Chicane Supercharger strut tower Brace - polished. The Website has a video to show installation procedure.

 



   
26th. Novemberr 2008
BULLITT jackets licenced by Ford soon on sale
They'll arrive at Jon's store by mid December. Cost is 125 dollars within the US and they are like the well-known Mach1 jackets sold on the Mach1Registry 

Update Dec. 9th.
Jacket preorders now possible via www.stangstuff.com

 

Disclaimer: I have no affilition to the seller  nor interest or profit  in the sales, everything will be at your own risk. 

   
20th. November 2008
BULLITT replica loaded in Paris for Bombay
12 Shelbys and special Mustangs incl. a Bullitt exact copy, the Tjaarda Equus and a FIA racer will be used in the 2009 movie "Road to Maharajah"
Our contributor BA keeps us updated on the project.
Here he enjoyed the loading of the cars heading to Bombay.
  
   
12th. November 2008
Will we see a 2010 Bullitt?

I hope not, but the colour scheme certainly fits the car much better than its current porfolio and it will be just a matter of time, until we will see DHG Two-tens out there, be it custom made or from the aftermarket. It's an easy to do and it will let it stand out of the herd for sure.

Start to think up your ideas around it.

 

   
4th. November 2008
Gateway Classic Mustang 
built a Bullitt replica
that is officially licenced by Chad McQueen

It seems to be difficult indeed to find a peculiar car at the SEMA show. Finally Rich Truesdell sent us decent pics of it. Thanks, Rich. More of them go into our club mag first.

Mustang Monthly will have a coverstory in its January 2009 issue about the building of this car supported by Matt Stone and based on various movie stills.

Watch out for the January issue on the newstand. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Another interesting Bullitt tribute custom car is certainly the Reenmachine project, although delayed a bit for the October period, we press thumbs that Pete can still finish his Bullitt tribute. See www.reenmachine.com for updates on his car. At least it is already sold and I think I know to whom:)


RESTORING THE PAST - the GCM 1968 Mustang Bullitt replica based on a Dynacorn body and featuring a 347 Boss crate engine

   
4th. Novemberr 2008
CDC Flashback 002 
in Bullitt fashion at the SEMA

Official PR kits were sent out last week to the relevant mags. 
Meanwhile CDC has published them on their web as well. George Huisman is proud to show it off at the SEMA.

All photos Peter S.Linney

Much more details finally available now here.

Check our sneak preview with early birds further down this site.



   
31st. October 2008
BULLITT CHARGER 
FOUND?

We all know that one of the cars got more or less destroyed in the final gas station crash. 
Some Mopar experts told us, this car was blue and painted black over the blue paint by the dealer, while others say, that Dodge did not offer this colour in its 68 portfolio. In fact the blue "shade" can be seen in a sideview shot on the Gouadeloupe Canyon Road. Note that the knocked of door handle reveals blue or let'say another paint underneath. 

We also know from Anthony Bolognas eye witness stories, that somebody sprayed the door over with black during the scenes in downtown San Francisco, most probably after the camera crash?!. He also remembers that the engine bay was black on the Charger and that it had a 440cui sticker and that it was an automatic.

Some years ago we've been contacted by sb. that inspected them the day after the movie was wrapped up at the Warner Bros. studios and said both Chargers were gone to the crusher the very next day.

Well, we all know that some cars did not went into the crusher, so there was always the mystery as to what happened to the second Charger that might have remained in driveable condition. Couldn't it be that somebody at the wreckers yard saved it for further use, because the damage was not too big.
Means one would have to look for a Charger that shows the camera fixtures. 
Unfortunately there is little yet known about the VINs from the Glendale Chrysler dealer, at least nobody has done research on it as far as we know. Why? No idea. WB documents at least are said to have gone up in fire.


This BULLITT Charger certainly did not survive. It was burnt heavily and Anthony Bologna saw it at the wrecking yard later. A yard worker confirmed to him that the burnt car on top of others was used in a movie.

40 years after the movie started in the movies,

we were contacted by a Mopar expert in the last days claiming that is absolutely sure that he has the surviving Charger R/T camera car. 
17665 R/Ts 4 speed Chargers were built in 1968, only 475 with a Hemi Motor, the rest with the 440 Magnum. Our guest says his is the real deal.

Like you we have our doubts in that story, but we are currently trying to dig through his evidence with him . And well - he isn't shy of taking it up with Mopar and Bullitt enthusiasts obviously for the coming out next year.

Anyway whatever the result is, we will present you his story within the 40th. Anniversary month of BULLITT, so you can be your own judge. Stay tuned for another unexpected Ponysite story. 

The Mystery of BULLITT continues and it won't stop with our next initially unbelievable story. Yet many of our stories turned from fiction to facts and we don't want to miss the opportunity to have been the first who presented these news to you.
 

Stay tuned for an exciting new BULLITT mystery story, it may end up as just that or a fraud or putting more pieces of evidence together for the future. The only final evidence would be clear VIN history information anyway. 



But let us focus on the second Charger.  
We all trusted in our eyes seeing the movie that the second Charger was black as bought from a Glendale Chrysler dealer by Ron Riner.  Now comes our new mystery Mopar Man into the picture with a new story worth to read and at least worth to discuss. We encourage you to contribute with pro and con facts about any known true research. With your help we might shed a bit more light on this car.


Arnold Welch thinks it's time to speak out and show us his rare find. Although we have had a number of discussions wether we present the car or not with what we think is so far thin evidence, Arnold is still ready to challenge the experts with his story. So be it. 

Click here for more information in our Charger section 

   
October 24th
The CAR Magazine UK 
did a 'Greatest Car in Film History' vote, and we succeeded to  to see the right cars win!
There's no way any other car was more iconic than a car containing Steve McQueen!
  
You voted for your favourite Film car - the Mustang used by Steve McQueen in Bullitt


Thanks to you  Bullitt maniacs the 1968 Bullitt Mustang won second place with 15% directly after the Goldfinger DB5, which typically wins in general public. 

At least the period of the Eleanor has gone (place 6). The Bullitt Mustang outperformed it in the last 2 voting days. 
Let's continue the Mystery around it to keep it alive for the next 40 years. 


 For Final results view CARmagazines site here

   
October 19th, 2008
Another pic of the CDC 
   


CDC Flashback 
BULLITT style

Exclusive Preview 


Based on a Dynacorn 67 Body with a 347 cui engine



   
October 17th, 2008
40 Years of BULLITT MANIA

Frank Herbert interviewed Steve McQueen back then for the SFO Chronicle (Archive Anthony Bologna)

"Forty years ago today, history was made for movie buffs, car enthusiasts, and those who loved Steve McQueen as a consummate American actor. 

On 17 October, 1968

'Bullitt' made its theatrical debut in New York City. Four decades later, many historians say the the film holds up very well in terms of realism and street copy grittiness. For true fans of Bullitt, the movie has never been equaled." 
David Kunz

 

Walking through my neighborhood brings back memories of the filming of "Bullitt" some 40 years ago.  The roar of the engines from the Mustang's 390 & Charger's 440 zooming through the streets of San Francisco's North Beach seems so vivid in my memory and mind as if it was happening today.  

Filming on location was more relaxed then it is today, with security and safety being a huge concern.  Being able to meet Steve McQueen on the set without really knowing who he was at the time was an amazing experience.  The sets were so much more easily accessable then they are today, and the staging was not as it is today. 
My friend Greg who was wearing a blue jacket stepped out of his house onto the active set on the corner of Taylor and Filbert and immediately huged the building in fear, not knowing that they were shooting the chase scene.
 
Times have changed and the simplicity of yesteryear would all be so nice to have again today, especially the .24 cent gas prices. 
 
Anthony Bologna

 



   
October 11th. 2008
5 Days left to the BULLITT ANNIVERSARY

THE MAHARAJAHS Road
A new movie has some serious background in a worldwide network of Bullitt Enthusiasts.

Tom Tjaarda, Designer best known for his Pantera  and George Huisman, owner of CDC play a vital role in that project. 
Read more about the background
here.



Exclusive only here on www.ponysite.de!

Picture:  Philippe POTHON
   
October 10th. 2008
7 Days left to the BULLITT ANNIVERSARY
We should not forget about the Chargers at this time of the year.
Finally I could finish Sebastiens website in our Charger section.

Click here for his outstanding car
   
October 7th. 2008
10 Days left to the BULLITT ANNIVERSARY

While waiting for the ultimate BULLITT news, we like to keep you cool in ice with thrilling tidbits around the BULLITT movie.


Steve McQueen stopped by to ask for a Ponysite.de sticker for his windshield back then during the movie filming. 
Sorry Steve, we had to turn you down back then. If Anthony would have had one, he certainly would have taken the time to stick it on himself.

   
October 4th. 2008
Countdown to the hot BULLITT period before the 40th Anniversary of BULLITT (17th. October2008 ) and the SEMA. 

We can yet only tease you with small  bits of the  thrilling oncoming BULLITT party. 





Here you see a 68 Mustang Bullitt replica that plays sort of a major role in the whole story of the 40th Anniversary of BULLITT and a thrilling future of things to come. 
   

September 20th.
Glen Kalmack from Canada proudly presents his latest project

"I just finished at the end of Aug.08. I have spent considerable time in the details of my car inside and out, and so far have not seen a better car than mine. I still have a few more details to do and I won't be putting a 390 engine in, but will be installing a 302,4 speed, 9" open rear end next year. 


I get considerable attention
whenever I drive the car.
The upper photo was taken in Deep Cove, B.C.Canada"






Note Glens rear end treatment. He even has the correct 1968 decal in the upper corner of the licence plate.




   

A Tribute to the BULLITT MUSTANG
by Mustangs Plus/Restomod Shop

Michael Gullery recently had with a few VMF friends the opportunity to follow an invitation from the Bramlett brothers and enjoyed a tour  to Mustang Plus and their latest project.

Being built by the Restomod shop on the base of a Dynacorn body, only about 10% of the car are original Ford parts. 

The car helps to promote the Restomods shop capability of creating turn-key Mustangs built with modern days components ready for on-track experience but even for daily commuting challenges.  

Together with Michael we took a closer look at the bits and pieces of this (so far)  unique project car. 
Click here

   
Preparing the 40th Anniversary 
of BULLITT

in mid October there are numerous publications around the world that pick up the topic. Here are a few most of you will probably not find on your newspaper/magazine shelves locally.
David Kunz 68 Bullitt replica in the french mag NITRO.

9 pages - obviously translated from a former Motortrend Classic article by Matt Stone, but with extended picture coverage from Evan Klein makes this month issue of the Nitro magazine a collectors item for french speaking Bullitt enthusiasts and there are not a few out there...

Kari Möro's Bullitt makes the centerfold calendar page 
plus a thrilling article in the finnish V8 Magazine, written by Kari himself. More pages are dedicated to a finnish Charger from Hanna-Riikka Alasippolan and a 2001 Bullitt from Kun Tero Kivioja. I hope I got that right :) 

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