Future classics: Why Ford is banking on iconic names like Bullitt and Mach 1 for Mustang

The seventh-generation Ford Mustang hasn't landed in Australian showrooms yet, but there's already reason for Blue Oval fans to get excited about the future. While this latest model is launching with the new Dark Horse special edition, the famous Bullitt and Mach 1 nameplates are likely to join the party during the current lifecycle.

Ford has been busy with the latest iteration of the Mustang, working hard to ensure it becomes a global automotive icon and not just a North American one.

The Dark Horse was the first step in that plan, launching with a hero model from day one, and it has been followed by the epic, racing-derived Mustang GTD. The Bullitt and Mach 1 nameplates both have extensive legacies with the Mustang and will boost the appeal of the seventh-generation as it begins to hit middle age.

The hope is clearly that the Dark Horse enjoys a similar fate, becoming another desirable model for Mustang collectors to chase after. At least that's what Ford Mustang brand manager, Jim Owens, hinted at when asked recently why the Dark Horse name was chosen over the Mach 1.

"We really wanted to make a future collectable," Owens said.

But he made it clear that Ford is not closing the door on the previous names, even if he stopped short of confirming their return.

"I'm not saying what we're doing in the future. We're always looking, and we never say never about anything," Owens said.

That's not a surprising answer and certainly fits in with what Ford appears to be planning. This initial push will be centred around the Dark Horse and GTD variants but within a few years the company will be looking for a fresh model to revive interest.

The Bullitt special edition is inspired by Steve McQueen's cult film of the same name, which features one of cinema's most-acclaimed car chases. In it, the actor drives a Dark Highland Green Mustang GT 390 Fastback Mustang, which has been used as the inspiration for the subsequent three-iterations of limited editions.

The Mustang Mach 1 was first launched in the late 1960s to bridge the gap between Ford's range and the Shelby line-up. Like that '60s original, the revived Mach 1 was designed to be the most dynamically capable Mustang with a focus on handling upgrades. This was clearly the foundation for the Dark Horse, so any follow up will need to elevate the Mach 1 to a higher level.

Ford launched the previous Bullitt in early 2018, four years into the life of the sixth-generation Mustang. And it waited until 2020 before revealing the return of the Mach 1 name, which ended up being the final special edition for the 'S550' Mustang.

So, don't be surprised if Ford launches a new Mustang Bullitt in 2026 and the Mustang Mach 1 returns by 2028 or '29, just in time to farwell this latest generation model.