Adding more firepower to the Mustang Bullitt
In January 2000, Ford Motor Company slipped a skunk works special Mustang into the Los Angeles Auto show. In memory of the famous ‘68 Dark Highland Green Mustang fast back driven by Lt. Frank Bullitt, Ford showed off an understated, sleek and purposeful combination that took people back in time remembering the powerful American muscle icon. The show property was an instant hit; in fact, it was quite a surprise to the media and to us on Mustang product development team. I remember receiving a call from a member of the media asking for details of the car, when it will be produced, how much horsepower it made, etc. I had no idea what he was talking about, as I didn’t know of the car and had not seen it. So I asked him to send me a digital picture so I could comment.
With the picture in hand, it didn’t take long to discover that Sean Tant (Mustang Design Manager) had been the driver of this show property. Sean explained that he was told that there was “a spot” available in the Ford display at the LA Auto Show and was asked to develop a property to fill that spot. Now, here’s the kicker: he was given this information right as the Company was shutting down for the Christmas Holiday. In 2000 the LA Auto show was in the beginning of January, so guess what Sean got for Christmas….he got to thrash with a small team of designers and fabricators to develop what we now know as the Bullitt show car. Needless to say Sean and his team did a great job on the car and they opened the door for us to add some meat and potatoes to the visual statement the car was making.
Over the past 8 years Ford Motor Company has made some significant changes to its organization, product line and strategy for “special edition Mustangs”. The Mustang is the world’s strongest automotive brand and one of the most modified vehicles around. It is supported by the probably the largest enthusiast aftermarket in terms of products and publications - Pretty darn cool if you ask me! This is why Ford is taking such a serious look at keeping the Mustang product exciting. By the time you read this issue, you will no doubt have heard that the next “special edition” Mustang to roll off the line is the 2008 Bullitt which picks up from the queues established with the 2001 Bullitt. The question I am being asked daily by current Bullitt owners is if the 2008 version of this Mustang is “special” enough to wear the Bullitt Badge. Well, when answering this question, we are reminded Ford has a very rigorous process they need to follow and internal “rules” that must be satisfied before a product can be shipped – often limiting the amount of “tweaking” on a product to meet a wide customer base. That said, the 2008 Bullitt Mustang, in my opinion, is a great starting point and provides a good foundation to become a world class special edition car.
The question I have is should I direct the MRT engineering team to “finish” the car by giving a very cool green Mustang some more soul??! Here are a few things that could be done to raise the chining bar to true Bullitt levels. First, I would take the already very good performance suspension from Ford and transform it into an outstanding suspension with an appropriate ride height that shows this car is not just another pretty face, it is has game! Next, I would finish the exterior treatments with the MRT “Reload™” body kit. This kit is simple, purposeful and screams Bullitt, Bullitt, Bullitt! San Francisco – let’s bring it on!
Next, I would hit the brakes, by adding MRT’s Bullitt “Reload™” brake package bringing performance brakes with calipers powder coated red (of course!) MRT’s calibration engineers will squeeze the last bit of responsible horsepower and torque out of the base power plant.
Finally, while the exhaust is pretty cool from the factory, MRT has been designing and manufacturing high performance stainless steel H-Pipes and exhaust systems for late model Mustang for over 5 years, so we have a few tricks up our sleeves here as well. MRT could also add a few surprise and delight items to the list that will ensure that the customer grows more in love the appearance, sound, feel and performance of his new, 2008 Bullitt. Keeping the budget in mind, the MRT Bullitt Reload™ will be the next favorite family member to add to the stable.
For those who need to keep the Shelby GT 500 in their rear view mirror we are toying with a “Reload 460™” package (what do you think the 460 stands for???). We welcome your comments, so tell us what you think, should MRT breathe a little more soul into the new Bullitt?
- Scott Hoag
See also:MRT Bullitt Reload Package Press Release
MRT Bullitt Hotload Package Press Release
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