The legendary 1968 Ford Mustang GT, famously driven by Steve McQueen in the classic action film “Bullitt,” continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike. After four decades hidden from public view in a family garage, this iconic pony car emerged into the spotlight, only to be sold to an anonymous bidder for a staggering $3.4 million – a final price of $3.74 million including commissions and fees. The sale has sparked intrigue, with the identity of the new owner shrouded in secrecy.
“Only one person knows the buyer, and that’s the guy he was on the phone with,” revealed Sean Kiernan, who made the momentous decision to auction his father’s cherished Highland Green Mustang in Kissimmee, Florida. “Eventually, it’ll come out. But right now, no one knows. Only Frank. Frank is the only one trusted to know.” Frank Mecum of Mecum Auctions, the renowned host of the event, remains the sole individual privy to the buyer’s identity.
Steve McQueen's 1968 Bullitt Mustang, a Highland Green Ford Mustang GT fastback, parked outdoors with spectators in the background, showcasing its iconic design and movie fame.
The atmosphere at the auction was electric, as Kiernan described, “It was like an 11-minute rock concert.” Overwhelmed by the moment, he admitted, “I kinda lost my place. I wasn’t paying attention to the bidding. I was just staring at people. I think the crowd must’ve been about 7,000 people.” To honor his father’s initial investment, Kiernan set the starting bid at a modest $3,500, the price his father paid for the car in 1974. “When the auctioneer asked, ‘Who will give me $3,500?’ Everybody in the room raised their hand. Everybody had a chance to bid on the car,” Kiernan recounted, emphasizing the democratic spirit of the auction’s opening moments.
The journey of this remarkable vehicle began when a New Jersey detective placed an ad in Road & Track magazine, highlighting its connection to the Steve McQueen film and providing “documentation.” Robert Kiernan, then a young insurance executive, was the only respondent to the ad, unknowingly securing a piece of cinematic and automotive history.
The 1968 film “Bullitt” is celebrated for its groundbreaking car chase sequences through the streets of San Francisco. Steve McQueen, known for his passion for cars and motorcycles, insisted on performing much of his own driving, contributing to the film’s raw and visceral realism. The movie’s impact on car culture is undeniable, and the Highland Green Mustang fastback became an instant icon.
When the Bullitt Mustang was unveiled to the public in 2018 at the Detroit Auto Show, Mark Gessler, president of the Historic Vehicle Association, declared its significance, stating, “This is probably the Holy Grail if there is one. It’s one of the most important artifacts of the 20th century in terms of automotive history. It is a national cultural treasure.”
The recent auction price shattered previous Mustang records, surpassing the $2.2 million paid for a 1967 Shelby GT500 “Super Snake” in 2019. While the record for muscle cars remains with a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible at $3.7 million (including fees), the Bullitt Mustang sale underscores its unique place in automotive and cinematic history.
However, the story of the Bullitt Mustang is more than just about record-breaking sales figures. It’s a deeply personal narrative of a family whose lives were profoundly intertwined with this extraordinary car. For Sean Kiernan, the decision to sell was driven by a desire to prioritize family and a shift in life priorities following his wife’s health challenges.
A Family’s Decision and a New Chapter
After years of expanding their family, Sean and his wife, Samantha, faced significant health issues. Samantha’s battle with severe endometriosis led to emergency surgery, prompting a re-evaluation of their lives and goals. “Sam just was not healthy… That was a big part of our deciding to sell the car,” Kiernan explained. The desire to spend more time with his wife and daughters – Katelyn, Brooklyn, and Summer, all born in years coinciding with new Bullitt Mustang releases by Ford – became paramount. “We wanted to tell our family story with the car but now I want to play in the dirt during the day and play with cars at night — both with my girls. Just take care of my property and cut hay. That’s what I love to do.”
Before the auction, Kiernan brought the Bullitt Mustang back to his childhood garage, the place where it had remained hidden for four decades. This homecoming was an emotional experience for the entire family. “I had never prepped the car to sell, so I changed all the fluids and did all the car stuff to it,” Sean shared. “My sister, my mom, my wife, Sam’s dad came down from Dearborn and sat in the car. That car had been in the garage forever. It was her spot. I think everybody cried at some point or another.” It was a poignant farewell to a cherished family member.
Robert Kiernan, Sean’s father, passed away in 2014, leaving Sean to inherit the responsibility of the Bullitt Mustang. Keeping the car hidden was a family secret for decades, a treasure protected from the outside world. Sean recalled telling the Free Press in 2018, “We kept it a secret in the family for so long, hiding in plain sight… We hoped to restore it, but then my dad got Parkinson’s and I had my first daughter and life was happening.” The decision to bring the car into the public eye and eventually sell it marked a significant turning point for the family.
An Incredible Journey Comes to a Close
Sean Kiernan’s journey with the Bullitt Mustang was supported by his employer, LKQ Corp., a global automotive parts distributor. Nick Zarcone, president of LKQ, granted Kiernan a leave of absence to travel the world with the car, recognizing its cultural significance. “As 2018 was coming to a close, the group coordinating all the activities asked if we could give Sean another six months to be on the road with the car, to which we responded with an enthusiastic yes,” Zarcone stated.
The Bullitt Mustang’s global tour and subsequent auction represent the culmination of an extraordinary chapter in automotive history. Diane Parker, vice president of the Historic Vehicle Association, emphasized the car’s lasting impact: “The Bullitt Mustang has made an indelible mark on international car culture through its role in film history. To this day, the visceral 10-minute car chase in the movie ‘Bullitt’ remains one of the most exciting ever captured on film.”
McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, an insurer specializing in classic cars, likened the Bullitt Mustang’s rediscovery to finding a lost masterpiece: “It’s not often in life when you run into a Mona Lisa lost in a garage somewhere. That’s what this is. It’s a Mona Lisa car.” Following the auction, Hagerty reflected on the unique appeal of the Bullitt Mustang: “The Bullitt Mustang has it all — a great chase scene, the McQueen connection and a fantastic backstory. The fact that it had disappeared for decades, only to re-emerge as an unrestored, movie-car time capsule is something we’ll likely never see again in our lifetimes.”
The sale of the 1968 Steve McQueen Bullitt Mustang marks not only a record-breaking transaction but also the closing of a remarkable family chapter and the continuation of this iconic vehicle’s legacy into an unknown future, held by a mystery buyer. While the identity of the new owner remains a secret for now, the legend of the Bullitt Mustang is sure to endure for generations to come.
