# The "Bullitt Mustang"

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** mustang, ford\
**Created:** [February 20, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532 "2018-02-20T12:43:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/1 "2018-02-20T12:43:48Z")

</div>

… has been found, and is now on display.  
Ironically, the family that owned it used it as their daily driver in NJ for several years, before the clutch gave out, and then they just left it in their garage–until recently.

[http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/01/24/mystery-steve-mcqueens-missing-bullitt-mustang-finally-solved-classic-car-revealed.html](http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/01/24/mystery-steve-mcqueens-missing-bullitt-mustang-finally-solved-classic-car-revealed.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/2 "2018-02-20T14:18:48Z")

</div>

That’s a pretty cool “barn find” story. Actually both Bullit’s stories are pretty good.

These type of barn find stories always intrigue me. Hoarders? Maybe. They keep stuff others would have long since sold off. Big things. Car things.

I hope this car is never, ever, restored. It is only original once!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/3 "2018-02-20T19:56:53Z")

</div>

there is only 1 bullitt car so it is worth millions if someone will pay that. the following buyer will probably pay more. and so on. i think wayne carini found a 66 shelby gt350 last yr that was unrestored and it went to auction and got 130k or so? you might say so? its pretty close to the bullitt car in spec but it is not the bullitt car so its apples to oranges.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/4 "2018-02-20T23:13:55Z")

</div>

These stories never mention that the owners can lend the car to a museum for display, and the museum will insure it and keep it safe and secure, and you get a nice charitable contribution deduction on your income tax if you still can use that after the new tax laws. And with the Bullet Mustang I can imagine lots of museums really wanting the car on display.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/5 "2018-02-21T02:00:43Z")

</div>

> [@wentwest](#):
>
> you get a nice charitable contribution deduction on your income tax

If you make no income from the loan of the car, how much would you deduct, exactly?

Quote:

> A loan…will not produce a charitable deduction, since there is no completed transfer. Fortunately, the value of the loan…will not be includable for gift tax purposes. Sec. 2503(g).

From:  
[http://www.wwcgift.org/giftlaw/glawpro\_subsection.jsp?WebID=GL1999-0001&CC=2&SS=4&SS2=2](http://www.wwcgift.org/giftlaw/glawpro_subsection.jsp?WebID=GL1999-0001&CC=2&SS=4&SS2=2)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/6 "2018-02-21T03:19:06Z")

</div>

That movie still holds up to time pretty well, even worth a watch on DVD now. I can see how a Mustang driven in San Francisco might need a new clutch … 😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/7 "2018-02-21T17:41:13Z")

</div>

I wasn’t going to go into the deep details of tax law here. I’m certain that there’s someone at any substantial museum who can counsel a family on various choices the can make and the tax consequences of those choices. All I’m trying to do is point out that someone who has an item like this car does have some options other than simply selling the car and never seeing it again.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/8 "2018-02-21T21:16:26Z")

</div>

My guess I should that the object would have to be donated to deserve a tax deduction. Loaning it puts it in a safe place, and if the museum insures it, the owner doesn’t have to.

Now I wonder if the IRS will presume that the insurance paid by the museum is money earned by the person that loaned the object.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/9 "2018-02-21T22:43:43Z")

</div>

> [@wentwest](#):
>
> These stories never mention that the owners can lend the car to a museum for display, and the museum will insure it and keep it safe and secure, and you get a nice charitable contribution deduction on your income tax if you still can use that after the new tax laws.

Until a sinkhole opens up and drops a bunch of cars 25’ and they get complete destroyed.

> **[The Sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum Was the Real Bowling Green Massacre](https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a7043/national-corvette-museum-sinkhole/)**
>
> Eight rare Corvettes were swallowed by a massive sinkhole in the National Corvette Museum's main atrium. Here's the story, with shocking photos and video.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 7:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/10 "2018-02-22T07:55:09Z")

</div>

The corvette museum requires the owner of the car that’s being loaned to them to maintain full insurance coverage for the term of the loan. Other Museam’s might have the same requirement.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/11 "2018-02-22T12:47:39Z")

</div>

Stuff happens, Mike.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/12 "2018-02-22T13:58:15Z")

</div>

> [@wolyrobb](#):
>
> The corvette museum requires the owner of the car that’s being loaned to them to maintain full insurance coverage for the term of the loan.

Doesn’t matter…A few of those vettes were irreplaceable..one of a kind or the last surviving.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/13 "2018-02-22T14:18:12Z")

</div>

And all have been restored (3) or displayed as-is (5)

> **[The Last Sinkhole Corvette Has Just Been Restored](https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a17049561/last-sinkhole-corvette-restored/)**
>
> After four years, this black 1962 Corvette has been brought back to its former glory.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/14 "2018-02-22T14:54:05Z")

</div>

I was at the Museum a few years ago (after they repaired the sinkhole and pulled the vettes up). 2-3 of them are beyond repair. I’ve seen cars that have gone through a crusher that looked better.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/15 "2018-02-22T15:07:02Z")

</div>

Nothing is beyond repair. Nothing. Even if you darn near lift the VIN tag up and slide a new car underneath, it is still repairable if you have enough time and money. The value is in the VIN itself, not the parts. If that value is high enough, it is worth repairing.

That said, a car is only original once.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/16 "2018-02-22T15:43:40Z")

</div>

a few of the wrecks on graveyard cars are close to a rebody job. but not all. i think they have quite a few cars waiting in the yard for work. the aerial shots seem to show dozens.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/17 "2018-02-23T04:22:06Z")

</div>

I find the technical aspects of that show to be very interesting

But the guy’s antics really get on my nerves ☹

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/18 "2018-02-23T14:57:38Z")

</div>

> [@Mustangman](#):
>
> The value is in the VIN itself, not the parts. If that value is high enough, it is worth repairing.

The only way to repair those vehicles was to remove the vin and put it on another vehicle. Every single body-part needed to be replaced. Frame needed to be replaced. Engine and transmission needed to be replaced. Interior needed to be replaced. What’s left??

Please give me an estimate of what it will cost to repair these vettes and a detailed parts list of what can actually be repaired compared to what needs to be replaced.

[https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g39214-d106553-i110022353-National\_Corvette\_Museum-Bowling\_Green\_Kentucky.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g39214-d106553-i110022353-National_Corvette_Museum-Bowling_Green_Kentucky.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/19 "2018-02-23T15:16:37Z")

</div>

I’ll give that a go…

Since the car in the picture is the 1993 Corvette ZR-1 Spyder prototype, that is a special one-off with an experimental VIN tag. It is worth an estimated $250,000. It has a ZR-1 drivetrain but a largely is a stock 1990 Corvette convertible with a few custom touches like the lower windshield and side glass.

Figure $40K for a pristine donor car, $40K to re-create the custom windshield and side glass (GM built it, GM has the drawings) and $100,000 to re-create the car. The $180K in the restoration should be worth the diminished value of the car with $20-40K for cost overruns.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532/20 "2018-02-23T15:20:02Z")

</div>

> [@Mustangman](#):
>
> Figure $40K for a pristine donor car, $40K to re-create the custom windshield and side glass (GM built it, GM has the drawings) and $100,000 to re-create the car.

So basically just replacing with parts from a donor car. That will diminish the value greatly. It won’t be worth anywhere near $250k.

[Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-bullitt-mustang/112532.md?page=2)
