Confirmed? Ford to Bring Back the Color Green, Along With the Bullitt
For the 2017 model year, Ford decided to discontinue the color green in the Mustang’s paint palette. Called “Guard,” the tone was a faintly metallic deep green and it was as savory to the eyes as it was rare to see on the street. Fortunately, the automaker is returning the hue to its pony car for 2018. However, it looks like it will only be available on a special edition model known as the “Bullitt” — meaning Steve McQueen’s green machine is also making a return to the lineup.
While not the same 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT fastback from the titular film, Ford has twice offered homage editions of contemporary models. The first movie-inspired Mustang arrived in 2001, with a second launching in 2008.
Earlier this year, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted a video highlighting his role as Ford’s new brand ambassador, with sketches of the current-generation green Mustang adorned with Bullitt-like trappings seen in the background. It was a clever publicity stunt and we figured it was just a matter of time before the automaker made an announcement.
While Ford still hasn’t made any official peeps, the Ford-obsessed people at the Mustang6G forum leaked a lightly censored window sticker. We’re inclined to trust that this is the real deal.
As expected, the 2018 Bullitt Mustang will be based on the GT and use the 5.0-liter Coyote engine. The sticker indicates it can be paired with Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission, but we assume there’s a manual variant for those who want to accurately reenact scenes from the film.
The model looks to come equipped with premium features and a handful of accessories to set it apart from mere GTs. In addition to the unique color scheme, the special edition has rear window louvers and a phony gas cap to make it look more like the McQueen’s car. Still, for $56,080, one would hope Ford is providing more than just green paint. That’s roughly three grand more than leaked pricing we’ve seen for a fully loaded 2018 Mustang GT.
However, the forum poster noted that this is just a test sticker from Ford, and pricing might not be representative of the final MSRP.
Update (10/05/2017):
A representative from Ford reached out to us — in response to the article — to deny the company had created the window sticker. Either some really bored forum member decided to toss it together for laughs or Ford isn’t willing to lay its cards on the table just yet.
[Images: Warner Brothers, Mustang6G.com]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I'm willing to bet this is a hoax. The 2018 dealer order guide makes no mention of either a Bullitt option or the green paint.
That Bullitt image reminds me of Mustangs at the annual hill climb outside Ottawa almost 50 years ago. The 390 version just didn't handle worth a damn, partly due to ridiculous front suspension geometry, partly due to the boat anchor FE engine, and partly due to the ground clearance which approximates to today's SUVs. They used to get wasted by Craig Fisher (two years in a row '67/'68) in a 427 Chevy Caprice wagon with the A/C on, as he was at pains to point out with some glee. At least the modern Mustang isn't 9 inches off the ground - my friend's two year old GT seems nice but still a bit ponderous, all the same.