Detective's search uncovers 1968 Fastback Mustang
It's hard to not consider Steve McQueen's character as one cool dude in the film “Bullitt.” Not only was he an undercover cop but he also got to tear up the streets in one sinister steed.
Libertyville resident Bill Kinast also fits that description. Just like Frank Bullitt, he's a plainclothes detective and also someone who cruises in one cool Ford classic.
It all started in 1968 when Kinast's father took him to a theater to see the crime thriller. “I was absolutely in awe of the Highland Green Mustang,” Kinast said.
At age 15, he got his driving permit and went looking for the car that never left his memory. He spent months looking for a suitable Ford fastback. The search was fruitless.
“I settled for my second favorite muscle car, a green 1970 Chevelle SS 396,” Kinast said. He kept that Chevy for 14 years before selling the beloved bruiser.
“The ‘Bullitt' Mustang was always in the back of my mind,” he said. “I still had a desire to find one.”
Kinast eventually married his wife, Becky. The couple enjoyed attending car shows together and would spend year after year reconnecting with old high school car buds. Consistently, the conversations gravitated back toward McQueen's machine. “I kept telling my wife about my love of ‘Bullitt',” he said.
In 2008 and with Kinast's 50th birthday approaching, his wife came to him with a special surprise message.
“Because I had been a ‘great husband' and also had been talking about this car for the last 20 years, she said I should go find one,” Kinast said.
A 12-month hunt ended with Kinast locating a perfect steel steed to transform into his cinematic dream ride. The vehicle was located in Minnesota. After getting it home Kinast went to work.
The fastback was already painted green but factory gold “C stripe” stickers ran along the sides. The graphics were removed and a thorough wet sanding brought the color “back to life.”
American Racing Torque Thrust wheels replaced the stock wheels and the front grille was swapped for a plain black mesh insert. Around back, the rear tail panel was painted matte black. Inside the cabin, the seats were given new foam and recovered. The dashboard and door panels were also repainted.
Power comes from a 390-cubic-inch big block V-8, which is topped with an intake manifold made for a 1967 Shelby 428 and fed by twin four-barrell carburetors.
The overhaul case was closed in 2013 and the Mustang was deemed fit for asphalt duty.
“It puts a smile on my face just knowing I'm going out for a drive,” Kinast said.
During one such cruise last year, the lawman happened upon an uncanny encounter. While pulling into a friend's party, he parked next to a black 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, similar to one used in the famous chase scene in McQueen's film.
“I went inside and discovered the owner was an old friend of mine I hadn't seen in 15 years.”