National honors for this movie star car
Ford shocked the collector-car world at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, unveiling the 1968 Ford Mustang GT featured in film “Bullitt.” In case you weren't in Detroit to see the ultracool classic in person, the car is now on display on an even more prominent platform, our nation's National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Parked in a lighted, glass box within sight of the capitol building, the 'Stang is taking part in the Historic Vehicle Association's annual Cars at the Capital event.
Starting on Tuesday, which marked National Mustang Day, the Highland Green machine was out and available for viewing around the clock. It will remain on display through Monday, April 23.
The vehicle was driven by Steve McQueen for many of the shots in the movie's unforgettable car chase, screeching around the streets of San Francisco. After filming wrapped, the car eventually made its way into the hands of the Kiernan family in the mid-1970s.
When the family acquired the Ford from a New Jersey police officer, its extreme prominence wasn't there quite yet. At the time, the car was seen as just another cool muscle machine from the 1960s, and it even became their daily-driver for a while. After some clutch trouble surfaced, the car was parked until 2015.
To this day, the Mustang is unrestored and still bears many scars and scrapes from being on the movie set, including camera mounts welded underneath, a Warner Bros. parking lot sticker, and the missing rear backup lights that McQueen wanted removed.
The monthlong Cars at the Capital event includes other historic vehicles, including a 1985 replica '61 Ferrari 250 GT California built specifically for use in the “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” movie, the 15 millionth Ford built (a 1927 Model T Touring), a 1984 Plymouth Voyager minivan and a 1918 Cadillac Type 57.
Jewel-Osco Pontiac GTO
Really playing up the imagery of a classic “grocery-getter,” Jewel-Osco has cooked up a sweet deal: purchase one of its specially marked bakery cakes and you could win a rumbling 1970 Pontiac GTO.
The promotion kicked off this week and runs through Aug. 21 with the drawing for the winner to be held on Aug. 23. The four-wheeled prize is a Pontiac Historical Society documented, numbers-matching “Goat.”
Under hood of this Atoll Blue painted beauty is a 400-cubic-inch, 350-horsepower engine, paired to a four-speed manual transmission. There's power disc brakes and an F-41 suspension. Inside, it has bucket seats and Rally gauges.
Find out more about the promotion at your local Jewel store or online at jewelosco.com.
Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.