Anyway I'll spell out the second part of the intro to this project, that is what I'm aiming for.
I want a useable, comfortable sporty cruiser that's faithful to the original Bullitt movie cars. I don't want a big wheeled resto mod with 500+ HP. I don't want a useless trailer queen concourse car either. The factory original spec of the pair of identical San Jose GT S code movie cars is well known, from the numerous folks who've bought their MARTI reports as a base for a tribute car. I can post the details if anyone wants, but many here will have some idea anyway.
From there the 2 cars diverged a bit as one was the "hero" jump car and the other was the slow shots car. Both were identical SJ GT390's when new but with movie damage and the necessary mods by Max Balchowsky meant they diverged as time went on. A lot of myths have grown up around them, aided by a few furphys from dealers claiming their offerings were "movie correct" when to those with some real clues, they clearly weren't...
I'm not going to attempt to replicate the Bullitt websites here, (a few of the links are below FYI) but I will set out a few basics to set the scene, as not everyone knows much about them.
http://www.imboc.com/forums/#movie-replicas
http://www.ponysite.de/bullitthowto.htm
Balchowsky didn't spell out too many details about the mods he did before he died in 1999, but some things are known. One of the cars (the slow scenes one) survived as a daily driver, and is still around today, albeit not often seen. And as many now know very recently the beat up jump car did too, (although it was "sent to the crusher" by the studio in 1969 for liability reasons). So apparently it was diverted elsewhere, it managed to survive the last 48 years, and was recently found in México. Not the first time that's happened in CA or the SW USA as we've probably heard...
The "good" car's present owner won't let anyone examine it, let alone buy it. However one PO (a NY cop) did talk about it many years ago, even featuring it in a short magazine article. By then it had received a few minor roadworthiness changes like a proper 68' mustang door mirror being fitted, etc, but it was otherwise per its movie duties. The new discovered jump car is to be restored apparently.
Either would likely fetch millions at auction today. Being as famous as a James Bond car, but far rarer and ex Steve McQueen (who the hell was that ponce Roger Moore anyway?)
Anyway the long and the short of it is my car aims to be a good, educated guess on what the cars were like for the movie, that is NOT as they left the factory, because that simply isn't authentic to the Bullitt cars. What is known is that they had mildly modded and de-smogged engines, (heads shaved and intake / carb upgraded), exhausts changed, (some say headers but movie stills don't show them) suspension upgrades (Konis etc), chassis strengthened by subframe connectors and shock tower braces, etc (jump car), with 1967 Shelby FIV leather bound steering wheels and de-blinged bodies running 15" period Torque thrusts etc etc etc., and so will mine, plus maybe some other hidden goodies.
So quite simply, a "concours correct" Highland Green, 4 speed, San Jose, January 1968 spec S code FB isn't movie correct. I have done a lot of research over the last 2 years, reading everything I can get, buying period articles, web searching, contacting US enthusiasts and authorities etc, so I figure I have a pretty good idea of what they should be like.
The period magazine articles on them pass on very little detail of use to car builders.
I have been lucky enough to find an orginal 67' FIV Secura steering wheel, one of the few visible mods.
Wheel wise I'm running new 15 x 7" TT-D's, not 48 year old Magnesium TT wheels per McQueens cars.
That would be Just plain unsafe IMHO, even if you could find a set - simple as that.
I have made one major concession to family and useability in that I am fitting a perfect fit AC system, albeit I bought an original pot metal dash vent as I couldn't stand the chintzy non adjustable plastic thing they supplied. I'm also keeping the factory PS to make life easier on my old forearms (upgraded to a Borgeson box, to save on leaks and tighten everything up etc). The movie cars weren't PS, but I've driven non PS S codes, not much fun to park!
But it will at least IMHO be worthy of the Bullitt label, being at least a real 68' S code fastback.
Some so called Bullitts I've seen are IMHO nothing like one:
- Not S codes, (or even transplanted FE's, many are just J codes etc)
- Not 1968's,
- Big wheels,
- Wrong steering wheel,
- Auto trans, etc
- 8" rear axle, (you get the picture).
There is more to a Bullitt than some Highland Green paint IMHO...
Anyway, Mum's calling. So more on all that later... Enjoy!
