Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Mustang won’t turn you into Steve McQueen or Jacqueline Bisset, but it should be a pretty fun time at the show nonetheless. Let’s see if it’s worth the price of admission.
Only 25 lightyears away, Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra. Its name derives from an Arabic word—wāqi’—meaning “falling,” making it the perfect descriptor for what happened to the 1977 Chevy Vega wagon we looked at last Friday. While that car seemed in pretty good shape for its age and reputation, it couldn’t overcome a fundamental lack of contemporary desirability at its $7,500 price. With those issues, our Vega fell in a 78 percent No Dice loss.
Today is Labor Day in the U.S.A. and Canada, which means it’s time for one last BBQ, followed by the ceremonial closeting of all the white footwear. Oh, who am I kidding? Tradition be damned; you know we’re all going to keep rocking those clunky white NBs!
Another seasonal tradition is the seemingly annual introduction of a special edition Mustang that pays homage to one of the model’s earlier iterations. It could be a new California Special, BOSS 302, or snakes-alive, a King Cobra.
One special Mustang that seems to have staying power is the Bullitt, named for the Highland Green GT driven by Steve McQueen’s Frank Bullitt character in the 1968 movie of the same name. Ford has returned to the well three times over the years for special “Bullitt” editions of the Mustang, starting with the 2001 S95, followed by the 2008-2009 S197, and most recently with the 2019 S550.
This 2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt hails from that second round of movie icon fealty and, with this generation’s exactingly retro styling, is perhaps the most direct a descendent of McQueen’s original car.
Starting with a Mustang GT, Ford specified two color options for the Bullitt—the original Highland Green and black, like the Charger its predecessor chased in the movie. To that base, Ford’s designers and engineers de-badged the car, added argent-painted 18-inch Euroflange alloys, and fitted it with a 4.6-liter SOHC V8 that, at 315 horsepower, provides 15 more ponies than a stock GT.
Those horses get routed through a Tremec TR-3650 five-speed manual, while a Ford racing strut tower brace keeps the front end from getting too wobbly. The brace also provides prominent placement for the serial production plaque. In total, only 635 Highland Green Bullitts were sold in 2009.
According to the ad, this one could still be living in 2009 as the seller brags that it “Runs and drives like new.” That’s despite having 130,355 miles under its belt and being old enough to get its learner’s permit.
It certainly looks the part in the pictures. The paint is decent, and the wheels appear un-curbed. The leather and vinyl upholstery in the cabin seems to have held up well, too, right down to the steering wheel wrap.
This generation of Mustangs was criticized for its cheap-looking interior materials, and this one is no different. Still, the engine-turned dash and bright-metal shift ball liven things up a good bit. As far as comfort and convenience go, the car has A/C, cruise control, power windows, and locks—the standard stuff.
The only real issues arise under the hood, and the only extent there is that it’s a bit dusty and in need of a detail. That Ford Racing cold air intake is factory-correct, by the way.
The seller says everything is original, down to the Ford factory stereo, and everything works as it should. The title is clean, and the asking price is $10,499.
What’s your take on this Bullitt and that $10,499 price tag? Does that get you thinking about finding some Chargers to chase? Or does that price mean this seller is shooting blanks?
You decide!
Charlotte, North Carolina, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to Don R. for the hookup!
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