February's Stang of the Month

In 2001 Bill and I decided It was time to get a new car.  Bill was interested in looking at some new Camaros and Vets.  I have to admit that I had MUSTANG in my mind the whole time.  After looking at a couple new Camaros, I said, “Let’s stop at Gus’ and see the Mustangs just for a look.  When we got there, the salesman (former IEMC member Paul Johnson) regretted to tell us that all the Mustangs were off the lot for a show at the Fairgrounds.  As we were walking out he said, “Wait!  I just got in a brochure on a special production Mustang called the BULLITT!”  He reminded us that it was a 2001 take-off of the 68 Highland Green Fastback used in the movie “Bullitt” with Steve McQueen.  He asked if we wanted to look at it.  We said “Sure!”  Paul asked us if we had heard of it.  I said I had been on the Internet and glanced at it but realized that all of them were probably spoken for by now, as they were a limited edition, and that it would probably be out of our budget, and that was that.  Paul told us that Ford hadn’t even started taking orders yet.  Wow! – as  it turned out January 31^st was a “special” day as we ordered our Bullitt on the first day Ford was taking orders for them and it was my birthday!  Our Bullitt is #344 out of 5,582.  We were the first ones to receive a Bullitt in the Inland Northwest as Gus Johnson personally put a “priority 1” status on our Bullitt!  (I think he was getting tired of us coming in a lot to see if we were assigned a VIN # yet.)

In the meantime, I had been on the Internet searching for more information on the 01 Bullitt.  I came across a Forum that had just been started by a couple of guys that were also waiting production of their Bullitts.  I joined the Forum and we eventually moved on to our very own Bullitt Mustang site called IMBOC (International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club).  Being one of the original members, I was asked to become a Moderator of the Club.  Moderators are the backbone of a forum.  They police the input from members to help keep it family oriented.  I am also the keeper of our Bullitt Registry.  We presently have over 2,100 Bullitts registered. It has been 5 years now since we started the Club and IMBOC has become the largest Internet car club in the world!   

Our Bullitt has gotten us “around.”  I mean we have met so many new friends and we have traveled to several different states for Bullitt cruises and shows.  Bill and I have participated in many Bullitt Cruises in the Northwest where 6-15 Bullitts get together and cruise on beautiful routes chosen by the person hosting it.  In fact, in 2004 Bill and I hosted a “Cruise Around Lake Coeur d’Alene where we had 13 Bullitts from Washington and Oregon show up.  You should have seen the neighbors as they watched the 13 Bullitts park in front of our house!  And to hear the rumble from all the Bullitt’s special exhausts in unisome was awesome!

About 6 months after owning and driving the Bullitt, Bill had decided that it wasn’t fast enough for him.  Who woulda thought?  So he pursued what was the fastest Mustang ever produced at the time, his 2000 Cobra R, and the rest is history. 

No engine mods have been done to our Bullitt, but we have picked up a few interior Bullitt pieces.  There are a few exterior “Bullitt Holes” as well!

This is what sets a Bullitt apart from a regular GT:

Cast alum intake manifold, twin 57mm bore throttle body, special Tremec 3650 transmission, high flow mufflers for increased power and aggressive sound, optimized alternator pump pulley ratios, lowered ¾” from GT, frame rail connectors, unique stabilizer bars, re-valved struts & shocks, Cobra brakes, calipers are painted red with running ponies on the fronts, the under-hood and engine bay are clear coated, 10 more hp and torque than GT, unique side scoops, 17-inch Bullitt style alum wheels, modified c-pillars to create a unique look, different rocker panel moldings than GT, brushed alum fuel filler door, rolled & polished alum tail pipe tips, molded front mud guards, BULLITT door sill plates, corral around running pony in front grill is blackened, aluminum pedal covers are thickened  for better heel/toe shifting, Cobra seats with retro style stitching, brushed alum shifter ball, bezel and door lock soldiers, retro instrument cluster. 

The Bullitt only came in 3 colors: Dark Highland Green, True Blue and Black.  They were not produced with spoilers, automatic transmissions or convertibles.  They only have Dark Charcoal Grey interiors and fog light delete.  The only option on a Bullitt was the Mach 460 stereo. 

Thanks Vicki for sharing your story with us.  Nearly 5 years after getting your Mustang it still looks as good, actually better than new!  Also a big thanks to you and Bill for the support you have given to our club over the years. 

Hope this works for you Vicki!!!

:)

Jeff