Iconic movie car chases, there are a few to choose from. Any heated discussion down the pub will throw up the usual suspects, The Italian Job, Gone in 60 seconds, Ronin, but there is always a certain 1968 film that gets a mention too. I am of course talking about Bullitt, the gritty detective film in which the legendary Steve McQueen chases down the baddies Dodge Charger in his Green Ford Mustang GT Fastback.
Silverstone Classic
This year marks the 50th birthday of arguably Fords most famous car and to celebrate Silverstone Classic is hosting a rather special birthday party with a host of Mustang related activities planned over the weekend 25-27th July. In homage to that car chase and to promote the event, Silverstone has allowed the chase to be recreated. Unlike the San Francisco original there are no hills for the Charger to crash down, losing hubcaps in the process, instead there are shots of the cars burbling through sleepy Silverstone Village before heading onto the track for some rather nice power slides. There is still a fiery ending for the baddies Charger as per the original, but don’t worry no car was harmed during the filming, its definitely a computer effect!
The highlight of the video for me is seeing these classics pushed to their limits on track albeit the Charger looks decidedly uncomfortable cornering at such high speeds, cocking its inside front wheel as it tries to get away. The Mustang, although still a muscle car, undoubtedly handles better as it looks much more composed in pursuit. Both these cars along with hundreds of other Mustangs will be on display at the Silverstone Classic this July.
