You can bid on this movie star Ford Mustang ‘McQueen’

The “Bullitt” Mustang being revealed at Mecum Auctions in Monterey, with Sean Kiernan (holding the microphone) addressing the crowd. PHOTO / MECUM AUCTIONS

MECUM Auctions will put the 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the classic film “Bullitt” for bidding at the Kissimmee, Florida auction scheduled from January 2 to 12, 2020. The event, to feature around 3,500 vehicles, is billed as the “World’s Largest Collector Car Auction.”

The Bullitt Mustang was hidden for 40 years, and most people believed it had been destroyed until it reemerged at the 2018 edition of the Detroit Auto Show, according to Mecum.

In the movie, the Highland Green car was driven by McQueen at high speeds through the streets of San Francisco. It eventually became of the most valuable American cars ever sold at auction. The car to go on the block next year was one of only two Bullitt Mustangs built (the whereabouts of the other car is unknown).

After the filming of “Bullitt” was finished, the car was sold to a private buyer and was thought to be lost until its unveiling for the 50th anniversary of “Bullitt” last year. It remains in original condition and retains many distinguishable and unique elements from the movie, Mecum said.

The announcement of the car’s upcoming offering was made at Mecum Monterey 2019. It was presented under tight security in a one-car “glass house.” Longtime owner Sean Kiernan and Mecum Auctions president and founder Dana Mecum were present during the reveal and announcement program. Mecum said Kierman had inherited the car from his father.