Other than the foglight-free...
Other than the foglight-free black grille, there's not much to let people know the Bullitt is more than a Mustang GT, and that's part of the reason we like it so much. It's a stone-cold sleeper.
Horse Sense: If you follow our Real Street class in the NMRA, you know Tim Matherly races an '01 Bullitt. According to the International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club, it wasn't a production car, but Tim's ride was a Bullitt in White (like a body in white) sold to him to be converted into a race car. We'd say that worked out for the best, as Tim has just racked up another Real Street championship.
It's rare that a sequel surpasses a great original. I know, I know, there's Empire Strikes Back, but it's still fairly rare. It's probably more common that a remake of an old movie has a chance to be better than the original. In the case of the Bullitt Mustang, the original was a remake, or reimagining, of the '68 Mustang in Steve McQueen's classic movie. The '01 took a few styling hints from the movie Mustang, added some aluminum bling, power, and a suspension tuned for a high-speed chase. It was a big hit with us and with buyers that lovingly refer to themselves as Bullittheads.
When word began to leak out that Ford was considering another Bullitt Mustang, it made a lot of sense. The S197 shares a much greater connection with the vintage Mustang. However, the original Bullitt was such a hit in its time, a new model would have a lot to live up to. Moreover, the marketplace is now crowded with all manner of specialty Mustang offerings. From a horde of aftermarket choices to Ford-sanctioned options such as the Shelby GT, I wondered how a Bullitt might find its own niche.
Likewise, we really dig the...
Likewise, we really dig the wingless trunklid. The car is clean and a practical antonym to its flashy Shelby GT cousin. Sadly, Ford just can't seem to get those Sirius antennae any smaller. I'm a fan of SatRad, but I don't understand why the aftermarket antennas are so small and the Ford units are like a hunchback. The Bullitt name on the faux gas cap is the only indication of this car's special nature.
As it turns out, taking the car's performance level up while keeping its appearance undercover really sets this car apart from the crowd. Hopping behind the wheel, I immediately noticed all the shiny bits. I fired the car up and it was really quiet, even with a modified H-pipe and larger exhaust tips on board. The clutch is light, and right away I fell in love with the shifter. It's smooth and quiet, and it doesn't have the wet-noodle feel of the standard S197 shifter. Coupled with the revvy, FRPP-tuned Three-Valve, it was a joy to blast through the gears. I'd love more power, but this car is really well-balanced.
Likewise, the Bullitt's handling is light and controllable. The original model was stiffly sprung by factory standards, but this Bullitt is almost SVT-like in its handling. Body roll is apparent, but then the car squats and goes where it's told. It's what we'd call tossable, and that trait came in handy when I got cut off by a Jaguar on Interstate 4. I had to truly test the Bullitt-spec Performance Fricition brake pads while turning to avoid the rear of the Jag taking out the front of the Bullitt. With sudden application of the brakes and input to the steering, it maintained control and avoided disaster. And that's just what Ford did with this sequel. It could've paled in comparison to the original, but instead it improves on the concept by toning down the appearance and focusing on the driving dynamics.
So for those who want more than the GT offers but don't want flashy, order a GT Premium package (140A) with the Bullitt package (54B). It only comes in Highland Green (as it should) and Black for those who want to be different.
If there's one thing Associate...
If there's one thing Associate Editor Johnson can do on cue, it's a burnout. Breaking the BFGs loose was more of a challenge than we expected. However, when the car wasn't given enough rpm, it delivered a metallic rattle that we can only guess came from the weights (peep a photo at 50mustangandsuperfords.com) attached to each end of the axle. These must be the work of an NVH engineer looking to quiet the 3.73s, but they sure sound harsh if the tires are spinning.
Only two items underhood distinguish...
Only two items underhood distinguish the Bullitt from a standard Mustang GT. Most obvious is the Ford Racing strut-tower brace, which is adorned with a plate that displays the car's VIN and Bullitt serial number. That should prevent any complaints like the ink wiping off the shock tower stickers on the '01 Bullitts. What probably caught your attention is the new Ford Racing cold-air intake, which features an injection-molded airbox and a disposable paper air filter, which is dark in color to hide dirt. There might be some power in an aftermarket filter, but the airbox looks tough to beat. It stayed cool to the touch even after repeated dragstrip runs.
Ordering the Bullitt package...
Ordering the Bullitt package nets a black Interior with an upgraded steering wheel similar to the GT 500 version, but sporting a Bullitt emblem. Likewise, a gunmetal engine-turned dash treatment and aluminum accents including a ball shifter, Bullitt door sill plates, and pedal covers, as well as a silver shift-boot trim ring are included. The larger Bullitt shift knob is comfortable and attached to the best factory shifter we've felt in an S197 Mustang. Our example featured the optional Mood Lighting (check out the cup holder), Navigation system, and Sirius Satellite radio.