The 1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt and the 1968 Dodge Charger are iconic vehicles that have become famous for their roles in the classic car chase scene from the 1968 film “Bullitt.” In the film, the Mustang Bullitt, driven by actor Steve McQueen, engages in a high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco with the Dodge Charger, driven by the villains of the film.
The Mustang Bullitt, which was modified for the film, is known for its sleek, muscular design and powerful performance. It was powered by a 390-cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower and could reach speeds of up to 150 mph. The Mustang Bullitt also featured upgraded suspension, brakes, and tires to give it better handling and performance during the film’s high-speed chase scenes.
The Dodge Charger, on the other hand, was a muscle car known for its powerful engines and aggressive design. The Charger featured a large, V8 engine that could produce up to 425 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of over 150 mph. The Charger’s aggressive styling, with its long hood and wide fenders, made it a popular choice for muscle car enthusiasts and Hollywood filmmakers alike.
The car chase scene in “Bullitt” has become one of the most iconic and memorable in film history. The high-speed pursuit through the winding streets of San Francisco, with the Mustang Bullitt and the Charger weaving in and out of traffic and narrowly avoiding collisions, has been imitated and referenced countless times in popular culture. Both the Mustang Bullitt and the Charger have become iconic symbols of the muscle car era and are still highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts today.
In one of his most famous roles, Steve McQueen stars as tough-guy police detective Frank Bullitt. The story begins with Bullitt assigned to a seemingly routine detail, protecting mafia informant Johnny Ross (Pat Renella), who is scheduled to testify against his Mob cronies before a Senate subcommittee in San Francisco.
But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location, fatally wounding Ross, things don’t add up for Bullitt, so he decides to investigate the case on his own.
Unfortunately for him, ambitious senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn), the head of the aforementioned subcommittee, wants to shut his investigation down, hindering Bullitt’s plan to not only bring the ”killers” to justice but discover who leaked the location of the hideout.