Although the Mustang was revamped for 1999 to add more power and some refined styling, there have been few changes since. However, the 2002 limited-production Bullitt and SVT Cobra models should help keep interest in the car at a high level until an all-new Mustang is unveiled in 2004.

Our test car was the hot new Bullitt version, named for the 1968 film that features the granddaddy of all movie car chase scenes and starred the late actor and car buff Steve McQueen as Lt. Frank Bullitt.

In the film, McQueen drove a 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback coupe in that famous San Francisco chase that made your stomach jump on every hill as it pursued a very sinister-looking black Dodge Charger.

But we digress — a little info on the standard Mustang and we’ll get back to the Bullitt. The Mustang comes as a coupe or convertible with a 190-horse V6 under the hood, or as a high-performance GT coupe or convertible featuring a 260-horse V8. These sticker from just under $17,000 to almost $27,000.

Changes include a new hood and side scoops on the GT to delineate it from the V6 model, a standard rear-window defroster on all models for the first time and a new 6-disc in-dash CD player is available.

Inside, the Mustang has a tight interior. The coupe has respectable size trunk and the rear seatbacks fold forward to enlarge the cargo area. Although the convertible lacks the folding seatbacks, it still has a reasonably large trunk for a small ragtop.

All that said, let’s get back to the Bullitt, which at just over $26,000,

is positioned between the GT and the very sophisticated, mid-$28,000 SVT Cobra coupe. (There’s also a $32,000+ SVT Cobra ragtop).

The Bullitt brings out the teenager in its drivers — or at least it did me. It reprises the true, late 60s muscle car that we all knew and loved. For example, there’s a specially tuned exhaust that emits the same exhaust rumble as the movie version — not an easy task when you consider the hot 390-cubic-inch pushrod V8 tuned by legendary race car builder Max Balchowsky was under the hood of the movie version, and the Bullitt has a modern 281-cubic-inch overhead-cam V8.

Ironically, the Bullitt’s 265-horse V8 only has five more horses than the nearly identical GT’s 4.6-liter V8, but is modified to be more responsive and does the 0 to 60 drill in 5.6 seconds.

The Bullitt isn’t just more fun to drive than the GT because its V8 is more responsive, but because suspension modifications also give it cleaner moves — plus — it also has what is the best manual shifter ever put in a Mustang. No automatic is available for the Bullitt.

Although the clutch has a long throw, which if the driver isn’t focused on it, can cause some jerky starts, shifting with the brushed aluminum gearshift ball is almost effortless.

The Bullitt also rides about an inch lower than the GT and has a beefed-up suspension with firmer parts, standard anti-lock disc brakes and a traction control system.

Smaller rear-quarter windows also give the Bullitt a racier look than the GT, as do sculptured side scoops, red disc brake calipers with the white mustang logo painted on them, a racing style brushed-aluminum fuel filler door, big 17-inch spoke wheels like the ones on McQueen’s car, and a hood scoop not even on the 1968 movie Mustang.

The trunk also features Bullitt badging as does the doorsill plates. Other special touches include instrumentation noted as a “modern interpretation of a 1960s design.” Special aluminum pedal covers feature a drilled stainless-steel racing look. The Bullitt comes in only three colors — Dark Highland Green, True Blue or Black.

Ford plans to build only about 6,500 Bullitts, which each have a unique serialized identification number from the factory to ensure exclusivity and collectability.
However, the SVT Mustang Cobra could actually turn out to be more collectable because its hand-assembled 320 horse, DOHC, 32 valve 4.6-liter V8 is something unusual from a big automaker. Two-person SVT teams assemble the Cobra V8, which has a signature plate inscribed with their names.

Whines: The front seats that should move back further for tall drivers since the rear seats are pretty useless anyway. I found the controls for the power driver’s seat awkward to use. Long doors make access a little difficult in tight spots.

Applause: The Bullitt Mustang is a fun car to drive that handles well and offers excellent performance. In my view, the extremely supportive front bucket seats make it generally more comfortable to drive than its main rivals — the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

Bottom Line: If you loved the pure muscle cars of the late 60s and early 70s, you will love the Bullitt Mustang. The nostalgia value alone, not to mention its possible collectability, help enhance the appeal of an aging American icon.