Vintage Ford Mustang from Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt sells for £2.6million

A VINTAGE Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in thriller Bullitt has sold for a record £2.6million.

The iconic 1968 Ford GT sets the record for the most expensive Mustang ever sold.

The legendary muscle car was used in one of the most famous chase scenes in film history when it raced through the streets of San Francisco in the 1968 thriller.

Ford originally supplied two identical cars for Bullitt, but only one survived the rigorous pursuit sequence.

It was considered to be one of the world’s most recognisable motors at the time, but disappeared amid rumours it had been scrapped.

The classy car was bought by Robert Kiernan following the film for only £2,600, using it as his daily commuter.

The family kept the motor’s film history a secret to ward off petrol heads who might have wanted to buy it.

Legendary actor Steve McQueen even tried to purchase the car in 1977, but the family refused his offer.

According to The New York Times, McQueen wrote in a letter to the family: “I would like to appeal to you to get back my ’68 Mustang.

“I would like very much to keep it in the family, in its original condition as it was used in the film, rather than have it restored; which is simply personal with me.”

Robert began restoring the motor in 2001 after its clutch blew out, with his son Sean taking over following his death.

He said: “‘As far as Mustangs go, this is it. With dad being down in the record books forever, that´s what matters to me.

“I’ve been at peace with the sale for probably eight months now. We´re just having fun with this.”