It’s no surprise that Keanu Reeves stars in films where a vehicle plays a big part. Reeves is one of many celebrities that have a passion for cars. In this case, motorcycles and Mustangs are two of them. One famous movie featured a classic Ford Mustang, but there’s an exciting twist to it. How is it weaved into the tale, and why?

Who was John Wick, and how did the Ford Mustang Mach 1 come into play?

John Wick was a character played by Keanu Reeves in 2014. Wick was an ex-hitman who owned a Ford Mustang Mach 1. According to Muscle Car UK, he lost his wife, so he received a puppy before her death to help him with his grief.

One day, he drove the Mustang to a gas station, where he befriended what appeared to be a Mustang fan. The guy asked Wick if it was a 1970 Boss 429. 

Reeves’ character responded by saying it was a 1969 model but, for some reason, failed to explain that it wasn’t a Boss 429. It was a Mach 1. The fan and his gang tried to get Wick to sell them the car, but he refused. 

The encounter was innocent enough, but after Wick arrived home and went to bed, that gang of men showed up. They killed the puppy, beat up Wick, and stole the Mustang. So, the rest of the movie showed Wick going after them to get revenge for the puppy and get his beloved Mustang back. 

The differences between the Ford Mustang Mach 1 and the Boss 429

The 1969 Boss 429 is a scarce vehicle. Ford only made about 1300 of them between 1969 and 1970, so it’s very much sought after by collectors worldwide. Reeves is actually one person who has it in his collection. 

The movie played off of the fact that it was scarce. The gang, thinking that it was a Boss 429, wanted to get their hands on it in any way possible, even going so far as stealing it, which they ended up doing. 

What they stole was a Ford Mustang Mach 1, which is not near as rare as the Boss 429. It’s kind of hard to tell the difference between the two unless you’re a die-hard Mustang fan. 

The Boss 429s only came with a four-speed manual transmission. Powering it up was a 385 cubic inch V8 engine producing 375 hp with 450 lb-ft of torque, according to autoevolution. 

The Mach 1 model, which Wick drove, had an automatic gearbox, with a V8 engine generating only 250 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque. This model also came with a non-functional scoop on the hood, whereas the Boss 429 had a prominent functional one. 

What other vehicles did Keanu Reeves own over the years?

According to Hotcars, Reeves is a huge fan of motorcycles. The first one he purchased was a 1973 Norton Commando 850 Mk II Roadster, which he got in 1987, and still has in his collection today. It’s one of his favorites due to its speed and fun ride. 

He also owns an Arch KRGT-1 motorcycle, which he helped design. He partnered up with Gard Hollinger, whom he met when looking for someone to upgrade his Harley. They founded Arch Motorcycle Company together. The drawback is that the KRGT-1 retails for $78,000, more than some of today’s newest vehicles. 

Reeves’ first car was a Volvo 122, a green-colored British racing car. It wasn’t much to write home about, but it did take him from Toronto, Canada, to LA, a considerable feat for what he nicknamed “Dumpy.” 

He also owned a black Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Type 993. His model had a sunroof and manual transmission, making it more fun to drive. However, the Porsche was stolen later on while filming one of his movies. 

John Wick and Keanu Reeves are both Ford Mustang fans. Both of them also have a Mustang in their possession. But only Reeves had a Boss 429 in his possession, which is technically not the car from the Wick movie. The Mach 1 used in the films was still impressive enough to steal, though.