AT 2:26 pm EST on Friday January 10, 2020, the famed 1968 Ford “Bullitt” Mustang, the so-called hero car driven by actor Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt, was driven (not pushed) onto the auction block at the Mecum Kissimmee (FL) auction. After the briefest of speeches by the owner, who opined that the bidding should open at $3,500 (the 1970’s transaction price), the auctioneer quickly had a floor bid of $500,000.
In a matter of moments, bidding jumped in ONE-HALF MILLION DOLLAR increments to $2.5 million. The next bid was “only” a hundred grand richer, and bidding seemed to stall there at $2.6 million. But with a car like this, Mecum was in no rush to conclude the proceedings. (Most cars at a Mecum auction spend between 1 and 2 minutes on the block.) The crowd was poked and prodded, and poked and prodded some more. Moving in $100,000 increments now, the bidding climbed through $2.8M, past $3M, and again slowed at $3.3 million.
It seemed as though it might be done, but like a sprinter getting his second wind, the auctioneer accepted a bid of $3.35 million, and then $3.4 million. He lingered at $3.4M, asking, begging, pleading for a bid of $3.5 million. It was not to be. AT 2:38 pm, TWELVE MINUTES after the car came to a stop in front of the podium, it was over. The Bullitt Mustang hammered sold for $3,400,000. Wow.
The poll which was run on this blog the other day resulted in a tie, with 42% of you predicting a bid of $1 million tops, and the same percentage predicting $3 million (ironically, Dana Mecum’s prediction). The sale price greatly exceeded my own personal guess of $2.5 million. I guess Mr. McQueen still has significant drawing power, even 40 years after his demise. Let’s hope that contrary to the way this Mustang was hidden for the last 45 years, the new owner sees fit to show and use the car so that we may all partake in its enjoyment.
Congratulations to the new owner.
richardscarblog 
Lunacy! However, it must certainly be a wonderful ego trip for a McQueen fan with tons of disposable income.
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“Lunacy”, from the Latin, “luna”, meaning “moon”. It was thought at one time that the moon could drive you crazy…..
The words lunar and lunatic share the same root.
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It’s not my place to tell someone how to spend their legally acquired money.
My wonderful wife and I watched the auction live and it was quite a thrill. A great coup for Mecum to have the car consigned with them.
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Hi, and thanks for your comment! There is no rationalization for this; somebody who had the bucks wanted it, and so they bought it! But it was fun to watch.
Best, Richard
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One man’s meat is another man’s poison. No one has a monopoly on truth, wisdom, good taste or good judgment. I smell envy in comments like the one to which I replied.
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Wow!
Sent from my iPhone
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Wow indeed!
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Ciao Dottore,
If you remember my estimate was about $3.5 million. I wish I could do that all the time.
As for the sucker, er, sorry, winning bidder, as the old saying goes to each his own.
Let’s see how long before it comes up for sale again and what he gets for it.
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Hi John,
I don’t think he was a sucker at all. I think he was someone who had the money and knew what he wanted (and doesn’t care what you or I think).
As for resale, I expect the new owner will hold onto this for awhile if only for bragging rights.
Ciao, Richard
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