• the original 1968 "bullitt" mustang that starred in the steve mcqueen film of the same name sold for $3.4 million at the mecum auction today.
• the sale makes it the most valuable ford mustang ever and further enhances the car's already legendary status.
• we detailed how the film car reappeared after almost four decades, with a little help from ford and the mustang's now former owner.

about 40 years ago, a certain highland green 1968 ford mustang gt exchanged hands for $3500. that same car, the one that was actually driven by steve mcqueen in the movie bullitt, just became the most valuable mustang ever after it was auctioned off for a cool $3.4 million.

the sale was conducted by mecum auctions at an event in kissimmee, florida, this afternoon, where the legendary pony car rolled onto the stage looking like mcqueen after an all-night bender.

however, just like the late actor, the bullitt mustang's faded dark-green paint, unmistakable blacked-out grille, rusted and dented panels, and oxidized american racing torque remain unabashedly cool.

the old ford still has its 390-cubic-inch v-8, which has been rebuilt, and a four-speed manual transmission. the car was also heavily modified for film duty with a beefier suspension setup, additional horsepower, and mounts to support the movie cameras.