The Birth of the Bluebird
When Bullitt made an entrance, it had to make an impression. The Bluebird was our first-ever commercialised colour, and it set the tone for what was to come.
The first Bluebirds we produced in 2008 were actually called Bluebird '71. There wasn’t any deep reference behind the “'71” — it was just a cool year in terms of music and films. Sorry, we’d love to claim there was a profound backstory, but in this case, it was mostly about being cool.
And the Bluebird '71 was indeed a cool bike. With its deep blue frame, white front fork and seat stays, it was a nod to the classic race bikes we admired. To underscore that, we placed a portrait of the iconic Italian pro-rider Francesco Moser on one of the shoulders of the frame. Moser, one of Italy’s greatest cyclists, was known for winning the 1984 Giro d'Italia and setting the hour record in 1984, breaking the long-standing record set by Eddy Merckx. Years later, a Bullitteer captured a photo of the real Francesco Moser on a Bluebird. That’s when it all comes together—when your childhood heroes, just for a moment, step into your world.
From Bluebird '71 to a Speed Legend
Five years later, when we were preparing an updated version of the Bluebird, things took an unexpected turn. The two-colour frame had become expensive and complex to produce, so we were redesigning not just the Bluebird but all Bullitt models. In the middle of this, we were contacted by Bluebird Speed Records, a British family fund dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Bluebird record-breaking vehicles—machines that held the world’s speed records from 1912 to the mid-'60s. The Bluebird name was associated with legendary British speed pioneers Sir Malcolm Campbell and later his son Donald Campbell, who broke numerous land and water speed records using vehicles bearing the Bluebird name. From the famous Bluebird-Proteus CN7 to the Bluebird K7 hydroplane, these machines were symbols of ultimate speed and technological ambition.
We had chosen the name Bluebird to honour these magnificent machines—creatures from another time, built for pure speed. When the fund realised we were using the name, they reached out. They were about to celebrate their centennial and wanted us to create a tribute Bullitt for the event. Talk about a dream come true!
So, we designed a new Bluebird with a colour directly inspired by the legendary Bluebird vehicles—specifically, RAL 5012. The graphics on the bike referenced speed, water, the anniversary, and, of course, the Bluebird itself. The centennial celebration took place in the heart of London, and we were invited to join with our new tribute Bullitt. The Bullitt looked small among the legendary machines, and we were kids in the middle of something bigger than ourselves. It was one of those living-the-dream moments.
The Bullitt Cargo Bike Evolution
In 2020, it was time once again to update all Bullitts, including the Bluebird. The version you’ll find at your Bullitt dealer today still carries the same unmistakable blue, with refined graphics featuring the Bluebird and three towers symbolising Copenhagen. The graphics are smaller, but the Bullitt feeling and its story remain just as strong. Every time we update a Bullitt, we believe it's the best one yet—this Bluebird is no exception.
And, because colouring the frame was not enough, we’ve made matching accessories with our timeless BBX Sidepanel kit, and Billboard to match every colourway. Also available when ordering your Bluebird through our builder.
Over the years, Harry has personally owned 32 Bullitts. Testing new components, new frames, new paints—it all led to these bikes. But, to be fair, having the chance to always get a new Bullitt is also a big part of it.
The first Bullitt he picked, replacing his old Long John, was a Bluebird '71. After years of riding a Long John, the transition to a Bullitt was a revelation—99% of it was a step forward. That Bluebird was on the road constantly, whether for personal transport, company duties, or just as an excuse to ride. It was even part of five Svajerløb races and one European Messenger Championship before it was eventually exported to Rome in 2013 to serve as a messenger bike.
After 16 years of service, the Bluebird '71 was stolen in 2024. Unless it’s been scrapped, it’s still out there somewhere, continuing its journey.
The Bluebird Lives On
The Bluebird has evolved, but its spirit remains the same. It represents speed, history, and a tribute to machines that pushed the limits. Whether it’s the original Bluebird '71, the 2013 tribute model, or the 2020 version, every Bluebird carries a piece of the Bullitt legacy—a story of innovation, passion, and a bit of childhood dream-making along the way.
Find the latest Bullitt Bluebird at your nearest Bullitt dealer and build your dream Bluebird here.
Oh yeah, and by the way, remember we’ve made a curated playlist for this baby. Listen to it here.
