Jerry Seinfeld working on a car show?

Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Adam Carolla, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld. These are just a few of the names of big time Hollywood car guys. Rumors are swirling that Jerry Seinfeld is working on a new show revolving around cars and some of his comedic friends. Details are scarce, but this photo of Seinfeld and Larry David with one of Jerry's cars, a vintage split window Volkswagen Beetle have started flying around the net. 

Who want's to play Steve McQueen?

Also part of this past weekend's Icons of Hollywood auction was the original "Michael Delaney" hero fire suit worn by Steve McQueen in his iconic 1971 film Le Mans. Estimated to sell for $200,000 to $300,000. Bidding went crazy, with a final bid of $800,000, plus a $184,000 buyer premium for a total of $984,000. This may very well be the single most valuable piece of Steve McQueen movie history that isn't a car. And certainly the record for a piece of motorsport memorabilia.  The story goes that the suit was donated The Observer, a British news paper to be given away in a Le Mans contest and was won by a 12 year old boy by the name of Timothy Davies. He sold the suit a number of years later, and probably for a sum no where near this figure.

In August the 1970 Porsche 911S owned and driven by Steve McQueen in the opening sequence of Le Mans set a record sale at $1.375 million dollars.

Source & Photos: Profiles in History.

What's in a name? Ex Steve McQueen Porsche 911 sells for $1.25 Million.

There's hardly a person out there who doesn't know who Steve McQueen is. It is also no secret that he had a great passion for anything powered by gasoline. He owned and raced numerous cars and motorcycles, and even on occasion few a few airplanes before his untimely death in 1980. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in anything and everything Steve McQueen. However, on the rare occasion, you can find something that he actually owned. Take the case of this Slate Grey 1970 Porsche 911 S. This car was purchased new from Porsche by McQueen for use while filming his movie LeMans. Not only was it owned by McQueen, but it also appeared in the opening sequence of LeMans as Michael Delaney's personal car. After filming wrapped, the Porsche was sent back to Porsche for some upgrades (the car was already heavily optioned including a leather interior and A/C) before being shipped to LA. In late 1971 McQueen put the Porsche for sale, the theory is due to his also owning a 1969 911 S that was nearly identical, but having an upgraded stereo installed (that car is still in the McQueen family today).

Since that time, the 1970 has passed through several collectors hands, all knowing the cars unique place in history. It also remains largely original, having only received a fresh coat of paint and a new interior along with the usual maintenance items. Also surprising is that the car has covered well over 100,000 miles. So it's been driven, just the way Steve would have had it. The current owner elected to offer the car for sale and commissioned the car to RM Auction's Monterey sale (fitting) and with an opening bid of $200,000, the Porsche quickly rose to $1 million dollars and ending just short of the high auction estimate of $1.35 million.

This is another car, that I personally would love to have in my collection, even if it didn't have the Steve McQueen pedigree. There is something about the early 911s that just look so right, even today. And when topped with the subdued slate grey paint color, it makes for one classy ride. Congratulations to the new owner, and hopefully the 911 will be see out on the road and at car events rather than locked away in a garage.

Photos: RM Auctions.

Drive it like Steve McQueen

Coming soon to a garage near you, if you are the lucky bidder. The 1970 Porsche 911 S driven by Steve McQueen in the opening scenes of the cult classic Le Mans will soon be crossing the auction block. Current owner Frank Gallogly has consigned the car to RM Auctions Monterey sale later this year. The owner won't disclose his asking price for the car and the details on the auction have not been released yet by RM. Once they are made available, we will pass on the details here.

The car is a slate gray 1970 911 S that was purchased by McQueen's Solar Productions from Porsche to drive while on location in France. Many assumed it was the same Porsche that Steve McQueen owned in the states, however that car was a 1969 model in the same slate gray. The 911 came equipped with air-conditioning, a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, leather interior, electric sunroof, aluminum wheel trim rings and driving lights. As with any vintage car, some restoration work has been performed over the years which included a fresh coat of paint and a new windshield. The car was thought to have been lost for decades, but the truth was the car was sent back to Porsche for some modifications before being sent back to McQueen in California. The car was later sold when Solar Productions filed for bankruptcy. The car changed hands a few times with each owner knowing exactly what they had. 

R.I.P. Peter Yates

A name that should be familiar to any car enthusiast, Peter Yates. Director of of the famed car chase legend, Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. Has passed away at the age of 81.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Yates family.

In our garage: 2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt

A new test car magically showed up in our garage. This suave looking guy in a tweed jacket and blue turtleneck tossed us the keys to his green mustang and asked us to keep an eye on it. He said he had to go take care of some baddies in a black Dodge Charger.

So in case you missed our reference to the 1968 movie Bullitt staring the king of cool Steve McQueen. We're fortunate enough to have landed one of the absolute LAST 2009 Bullitt edition Mustang GTs left in the country.

Checking out the window sticker we have an order code 140A Premium GT Coupe in Highland Green Metallic. Standard fare includes the interior upgrad package, Sirius sat radio, ambient lighting, 18 inch gunmetal Bullitt Wheels, the rear spoiler delete option, GT security package, HID headlights, the Bullitt package which includes the interior upgrade machine finish, 3.73 ratio limited slip rear axle, the 18 inch Bullitt wheels, packed exhaust tips, and a foglightless and ponyless grille. Our car also comes equipped with the Shaker 1000 stereo system.

What isn't mentioned on the window sticker is the performance upgrades to the Bullitt. This includes a Ford Racing strut tower brace with a special Bullitt number plate bearing the logo, VIN, and serial number of the car. Ours is 6045. A Ford Racing cold air intake, exhaust system, lowered suspension, beefed up front brakes and Shelby rear brakes round out the mechanicals.

Moving inside we find a stunning machine turned finish to the aluminum dash accents, an aluminum short throw shifter, supple charcol leather seats with power adjustment for the driver with lumbar control, aluminum pedal covers, and a leather wrapped steering wheel direct from the Shelby GT500.

Turn the key and the 4.6 liter V8 roars to life sounding much like its 1968 movie counterpart. The V8 is rated at 325 HP, which is 10 more than a stock GTs 315HP. With the 3.73 rear end, the Bullitt can really get up and go and catch any fleeing bad guys in short time. We still haven't emptied the tank on it to see where we're averaging for miles per gallon. The on board computer is saying 16 so that's a little better than the 15 City / 23 Highway on the sticker.

Having driven the car for a week now, and having driven a stock 09 GT, a 2010 GT(more later), and a handful of other Mustangs including Shelby, Roush, and Saleen. I will say that the Bullitt offers the best bang for the buck. Our Bullitt tops out at $34,675 with the big ticket item being the Shaker 1000 at $1,295. You get a lot of performance goodies as standard equipment. Stay tuned for more updtates.

Official 2008 Mustang Bullitt press releases

BUCKLE UP AND BRACE FOR ACTION, McQUEEN FANS:MUSTANG BULLITT™ RACES TO THE STREETS in 2008

· More horses: Featuring the latest in Ford Racing Technology, Bullitt's 4.6-liter V-8 delivers 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
· Sport-tuned: Modified chassis and suspension improves an already competent and capable chassis to deliver the most balanced Mustang ever.
· Film-inspired: Dark Highland Green exterior paint calls back the original movie car, while a specially mastered DVD helped Ford engineers deliver an exhaust note that matches the film.
· Mustang magic: Bullitt is the latest in a line of special editions that keep Mustang news fresh. Plus, it delivers on the Mustang tradition of unique products that fit customers' individual preferences: a steed for every need.
· Bottom line: Bullitt carries on the Mustang tradition of affordable performance with a $31,075 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). A limited production run of 7,700 units is planned.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 6 – Four decades after hitting the big screen and redefining the on-screen car chase, the Ford Mustang Bullitt returns to the streets in 2008, blending the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology.

This modern classic delivers a balance of power and performance, thanks to special chassis and suspension tweaks as well as the 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque that Bullitt delivers through its 4.6-liter V-8 engine.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt embodies the true spirit of the 1968 movie car," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Like the original Bullitt, this car dials the driving dynamics up a notch for Mustang enthusiasts who love the performance, handling and the sweet sound of Ford power that only Mustang can deliver."

The 2008 Bullitt arrives in dealers early next year, with a starting MSRP of $31,075 (including destination and delivery) and limited production of 7,700 units for the U.S. and Canada.

The launch of the limited edition 2008 Mustang Bullitt coincides with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Warner Bros. Pictures film that gave the original car its name. In the movie, legendary actor Steve McQueen drove a Dark Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT that gained cult status among Mustang enthusiasts, thanks to a seven-minute scene that film and car buffs believe defined the modern movie car chase.Bullitt Chassis Delivers a Balance of Performance and Comfort.

Ford engineers modified the 2008 Mustang Bullitt's chassis and suspension to fine-tune handling and ensure the extra horsepower and torque from the 4.6-liter V-8 is put to good use. The live rear axle uses a unique 3.73:1 gear that helps launch the Bullitt with vigor.

Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts were swapped out for new units that allowed engineers to dial in a more aggressive driving dynamic while still maintaining the outstanding ride and balance of the base Mustang GT. A tower-to-tower brace designed specifically for the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis for improved cornering and holds a unique serial number for each Bullitt.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt delivers balanced performance," said Paul Randle, chief engineer. "Comfort is not compromised for performance. Performance is on demand. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to the street and back onto the track with confidence."

The brakes also have been improved versus the base Mustang GT's. More aggressive front pads were developed specifically for Bullitt and improve fade resistance and pedal feel.

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt wears unique cast-aluminum Euroflange wheels, offering a modern twist on the original movie car. The Dark Argent Gray spokes feature a satin finish, while a bright-machined lip completes the look. Calipers are colored to match the wheel. The wheels are wrapped in the same P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires used on Mustangs at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

Powered by Ford Racing

Bullitt packs firepower under the hood. The 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 delivers 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Engine calibration is designed to increase throttle response for a snappier acceleration feel. The redline has been boosted by 250 rpm to 6,500, with top-end speed bumped to 151 miles-per-hour. Gears are selected via a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission, and the shifter is topped with a polished aluminum shift ball designed specifically for the 2008 Bullitt.

The car features the first use of an open-element air filter in a factory-produced, fuel-injected Mustang. Inspired by Ford Racing, the intake is tucked neatly behind the driver side headlamp, mounted in an air box that was tooled up specifically for the Mustang. The hood liner was extensively modified to provide a full seal to the air box, ensuring that the engine is fed a steady diet of cooler air.

"Colder air reduces intake losses," said Randle. "The new cold-air intake has shown a reduction in rise over ambient temperature from 50 degrees down to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. That equates to more horsepower and more torque in all driving conditions."

Engine performance is further enhanced through the use of an innovative adaptive spark ignition system, new for the 2008 Mustang.

The system can sense, within a few seconds, what type of fuel is being injected into the motor and adjusts the spark to provide maximum torque at any given speed – and as much as 10 pounds-feet more between 1,000 and 4,000 rpm.

Bullitt can run on either premium or regular fuel. Ford recommends premium fuel for optimum performance, but the adaptive spark ignition will adjust the spark to burn regular fuel without damaging the engine.

"With all the improvements we've made to the engine and the taller 3.73-to-1 rear gear, the Bullitt will plant you firmly in the driver's seat when you stand on the throttle. We've seen zero to 60 times drop by up to three tenths of a second," said Randle. "There's also plenty of power on tap at any speed. The car definitely feels lighter on its feet, and it is."

The custom-designed exhaust system continues Mustang's traditional use of a true dual-exhaust system with a new H-pipe specifically developed for Bullitt. The all-new mufflers, featuring larger 3.5-inch chrome tips (versus the 3-inch tips on the standard Mustang GT) are tuned to minimize backpressure, maximize horsepower and provide the Bullitt with its powerful exhaust note.

"We wanted to get the exhaust note as close to the original movie car as possible, so we based it on a digitally mastered DVD," said Randle. "We wanted something that would rumble your heart, literally buzz you – and the Bullitt team delivered."

Capturing the Bullitt's Undercover Look

The original 1968 Mustang's stealth-like appearance wasn't necessarily intentional. In typical Hollywood fashion, the movie crew removed all exterior badges and logos from the car – including the iconic pony badge on the grille.

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt calls back the original movie car in painstaking detail – right down to the dark green paint and lack of exterior badges, scoops and spoilers.

The only visible identification is the word "Bullitt" dropped into a gun-sight graphic in the center of the faux gas cap on the decklid.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt, like the movie car, is a wolf in sheep's clothing," said Doug Gaffka, chief designer. "Mustang is – and always has been – such an icon that it's recognizable without the badges. But Bullitt's clean exterior doesn't give away the Ford Racing-inspired power and performance lurking under its skin."

The new Bullitt wears a close match to the movie car's 1968 Highland Green paint, officially called Dark Highland Green. This distinctive color has only graced one other Mustang, the 2001 Mustang Bullitt. Gaffka assures Bullitt enthusiasts that the color will remain an exclusive Mustang Bullitt color. Non-purists can opt for only one other color – black.

The Mustang Bullitt uses the standard Mustang GT's front fascia. A new black-mesh grille is devoid of the standard chrome pony and is accented by a satin aluminum strip that represents the chrome grille surround on the 1968 car. The rear fascia also is shared with the standard Mustang GT and houses Bullitt's unique dual exhaust tips. Dark Argent Gray painted brake calipers closely match the wheel spokes, while staying true to the original.

Bullitt Interior Delivers Comfort with a Purpose

The interior is pure Mustang Bullitt, understated and dressed in Charcoal Black leather and Satin metallic trim. The centerpiece of the interior is the hand-machined, aluminum swirl dash panel appliqué.

"The machined appliqué differentiates the Bullitt from any other Mustang in the line-up," said Gaffka. "It's also perfect for the Bullitt. The graphic presentation brings back the feel of the '60s while still staying true to the Mustang's modern interior design."

Satin aluminum bezels circle the air vents and gauges, complementing a satin aluminum shift ball that replaces the standard leather-wrapped shifter on the Mustang GT. The pedals wear race-inspired aluminum covers that further reinforce Bullitt's performance intentions.

The interior is graphically clean. The only identifying marks visible inside Bullitt are the logo and gun-sight graphic mounted in the center of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the word "Bullitt" embossed into the metal sill plates.

The Dark Charcoal leather seats pick up the diamond perforation inserts from the base Mustang GT. The seats are patterned after those in the Shelby GT500 providing added lumbar and bolster support. The seats are constructed using the new soy-based foam developed by Ford and introduced on the 2008 Mustang. The soy foam, made up of 24 percent renewable content, is produced through a process that requires less energy and emits less CO2.

Bullitt Pushes Beyond

The Bullitt package enhances the Mustang GT Premium package with the following:
· 3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle
· Ford Racing Power Pack (cold air induction system)
· High Performance Calibration
· Performance Friction Carbon Metallic® front brake pads
· Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace
· Sport –tuned suspension (shocks/springs/stabilizer bar)
· Modified "H" Pipe
· Dark Grey Brake Calipers
· 18-inch Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels with Charcoal Satin Finish
· 3.5-inch Packed Exhaust Tips
· Distinct Upper Grille
· Bullitt emblem on faux fuel cap
· Black interior with upgraded steering wheel
· Charcoal Black sport leather seats
· Unique IP finish (hand-machined aluminum swirl)
· Satin Aluminum interior accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers)

Standard content also includes:

· 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine
· 5-speed manual transmission
· Auxiliary audio input jack
· One-touch up-down power windows
· Power mirrors and door locks
· Keyless entry
· Air conditioning
· Tilt steering wheel
· Speed control
· Rear window defroster
· Four-wheel power disc brakes
· Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Traction Control
· Seat-mounted side air bags
· LATCH
· Personal Safety System®
· SecuriLock®
· Tire Pressure Monitoring System
· Shaker 500 Audio System with six-disc CD player, MP3 and eight speakers

Available options include:

· HID headlamps
· Shaker 1000 Audio System six-disc CD player, MP3 and 10 speakers
· SIRIUS satellite radio
· Ambient Lighting
· Active Anti-Theft System
· Wheel locking kits

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt will be built at Ford's Automotive Alliance Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. It goes on sale early next year. Press materials and visuals of the new 2008 Mustang Bullitt are available at http://www.media.ford.com/.

MUSTANG BULLITT WINS, KEEPS FANS 40 YEARS RUNNING

Four decades after the original Bullitt made its appearance on the silver screen, the Ford Mustang Bullitt will return to the streets in 2008. On sale in January, the new Bullitt stands to gain notoriety among enthusiasts and club members who keep the spirit of the car alive and well. The Shot Heard 'Round the Mustang World.

The 2008 Bullitt Mustang marks the second tribute to the iconic 1968 Bullitt Mustang. Ford launched a specially modified Mustang GT in 2001 after receiving overwhelming positive response from consumers who saw the concept version at the 2000 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The car is as popular today as it was at its introduction in 2001. More than 3,000 Bullitt Club members link up on the forum pages of the International Mustang Bullitt Owner's Club web site (www.imboc.com). The site's registry lists 2,428 Bullitt Mustangs and represents owners from all 50 and several other countries.

Bullitt owners are loyal, many having gone as far as having Bullitt tattooed somewhere on their bodies. Club members are like a family, answering the call when one of their own runs into trouble. When one member's car broke down on the way back from the 2006 Nationals, for instance, "Bullittheads" made calls and pulled strings and had the car repaired for free and returned to the young serviceman's family while he was serving his country in Iraq.

Mike Affourtit, IMBOC co-founder and webmaster, is a long-time Mustang enthusiast and was drawn to the 2001 Mustang Bullitt because of the connection the car had with the movie Bullitt.

"It was the whole Steve McQueen vibe," said Affourtit. "As soon as people saw the car, they fell in love with it. It offered an instant connection with the movie car and the movie chase scene. That Bullitt is the epitome of muscle cars and especially Mustangs."

The Mystery Behind the Original Bullitt Mustang

Two 1968 Mustang GTs with 390 cu.-in. engines were purchased for the making of the movie. Both vehicles were modified for on-screen duty with making modifications to the engines and suspensions and camera mounts welded in to facilitate in-car photography.

One of the two was equipped with a roll cage. This was the car seen jumping the hilly streets of San Francisco and being used as a battering ram to force the bad guys' Charger off the road and into a gas station moments before it explodes in a massive ball of flame.

At the end of filming, the bashed and battered Mustang was sent to the salvage yard to be crushed.

The history of the second movie car is chronicled in an article written by automotive journalist and Mustang expert Brad Bowling. It can be found on his website: http://www.bradbowling.com/

Ultimately, the remaining car was sold to an MGM employee and changed hands several times until 1972. The car's current owner bought it under the stipulation that his name remained anonymous.

The mysterious owner, now a successful businessman, has turned down numerous offers to sell the car or to loan it out for display at commemorative events. McQueen himself tried to buy the Mustang from him in 1977, but the owner turned him down. He did tell McQueen that if he ever did decide to sell, McQueen would get first dibs. McQueen died in 1980.

Bullitt will scream into dealers in January. With a starting price at just under $31,000 and limited production of 7,700 units for the and , McQueen wannabes will need to grab their tweed jackets and hop in line.

Source: Ford, Pictures: Autoblog.com

Steve McQueen Rides Again! The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

Few will deny that the 1968 movie Bullitt staring Steve McQueen, is undoubtedly one of the greatest car movies ever made. Images of a black 68 Dodge Charger R/T and a green 68 Mustang GT tearing up the streets of San Francisco are engraved into the mind of every car nut. Thanks in part to both the movie and McQueen's popularity, Ford built a special edition Bullitt Mustang GT in 2001. The retro styled Mustang packed the punch and overall look of the the 68 GT used in the movie. But it wasn't quite what the doctor ordered.

Fast forward to 2006. Motor Trend wanted to have a photo shoot in San Francisco for their road test on the new Dodge Charger R/T and pair it with the all new Mustang GT. Ford agreed and took a new yellow GT and repainted it 1968 Highland Green for the shoot. In that article, there was a small tid bit that Ford had plans in the works for a new Bullitt Mustang for 2008. Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the movie.

It's finally official. The Bullitt Mustang will make a triumphant return in 2008. While the car has not been "officially" unveiled, that will happen at the Los Angeles Auto Show. We are treated to a press release and some press day pictures from a press event in San Francisco this week.

Along with Highland Green, the 2008 Bullitt will also be offered in basic black. The rest of the car has been given an even more impressive retro treatment. The entire car will be completely badge less. No pony emblems on the sides or grille, just like the original. There will be a faux gas cap on the back which will carry a special center with gun cross hairs and the Bullitt name. The grille will be solid black mesh, without a pony emblem and a simple, but effective chrome surround on the edge. 18 inch aluminum wheels will have gunmetal painted spokes, and while they have been available in a polished finish, evoke memory of the classic American Racing Torque Thrust wheels of the 60s.

The interior will be finished in black leather(hopefully with a retro seat pattern). The dashboard will be treated to a machine turned aluminum finish, that looks oh so cool.

The business end of the Bullitt is just as impressive. The motor will be the same 4.6 liter V8 found in all standard Mustang GTs, though for the Bullitt, Ford Racing was on hand to tweak the camshaft timing, new calibrations, and air intakes. The chassis and suspension have also been tuned to enhance the handling. Which includes sport springs, a strut tower bar, and more. The tuned exhaust has also been tweaked, thanks to digital enhancement of the movie, to match the original perfectly.

The 08 Bullitt will have a ground stomping 315 Horsepower with 325 Ft. Lbs. of torque. All of this is routed through a 6spd manual trans and the same rear end at the GT 500 Shelby with 3.73:1 gears.

For announced a production run of 7700 Bullitt editions. Each car will be numbered on the strut tower brace, rather than by a plaque on the dashboard. The Bullitt will begin to roll off the assembly line in the first quarter of 2008, and showing up in Showrooms just in time for the warm weather to hit. With 7000 cars bound for the U.S. and the last 700 bound for Canada. Pricing is expected to be around $31,075. So it's rather reasonably priced too. I'm going to put my order in now.

Look for more updates on this one.

Source: Autoblog.com