How the Original Bullitt-Movie Mustang Was Rediscovered

Connections begat connections. Marti had discovered that—amazingly—Kiernan didn’t have any insurance on the Bullitt. Says Marti, “Sean’s such a nice guy that he thinks no one would ever steal the car.” He adds, “I don’t get into appraising cars for their value,” but it was clear that this was one very valuable Mustang. So Marti connected Kiernan with McKeel Hagerty, head of the vintage-car insurance company Hagerty Insurance. A value was set for the car. Although no one’s saying what that is, it’s easily worth millions. “I’m not a wealthy man,” says Kiernan, “but I bought as much insurance as I could afford.” Hagerty has its own car magazine, an impressive tome that it sends to its customers. It jumped on the story early enough to have copies at the Detroit-show reveal.