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Ford Mustang Saleen - 10 Rarest Saleens
The Top-10 Hard-To-Find, But Obtainable, Saleen Mustangs
February, 2004
By Brad Bowling
Photography by Brad Bowling
Saleen Cobras The introduction... Saleen Cobras
The introduction of Ford's modular 4.6L single overhead cam engine in 1996 coincided with the debut of Saleen's "base" S-281 model. Because the SOHC motor produced only 215 hp-making it, on paper, the least powerful Mustang V-8 since 1986-it didn't take long for Saleen buyers to request a DOHC Cobra-based S-281. The natural combination of SVT's 305hp powerplant and Saleen's cosmetic and performance enhancements made for a potent, if expensive, combination. Saleen built 11 S-281 Cobras in 1996, 18 in 1997, 35 in 1998, 20 in 1999, none in 2000, 16 in 2001, none in 2002, and 10 in 2003. In all, 56 of those were coupes and 54 were convertibles. Lee Davis owns this first-year Saleen Cobra, number 96-0331. Steve Saleen has produced around 7,500 of his specialized Mustangs during the last two decades-only a little more than half as many cars as the 13,000-plus GT350s and GT500s Carroll Shelby built between 1965 and 1970. The beauty of being a manufacturer of limited-production, largely hand-built cars is the opportunity to turn out individual models that get a lot of attention, such as the white '93 R-R-R hatchback made for comedian Tim Allen or the only '95 S-351 produced from a Cobra hardtop convertible. While those one-offs are exciting to read about, chances are Powerball-Lottery slim the average enthusiast would be able to add one to his collection. That's why we began to think about the obtainable rarities: cars that Saleen built in low, but not impossibly low, numbers. Editor's note: Brad Bowling, a Mustang Monthly contributor and former Saleen PR guy, assembled this list after writing The Saleen Book: 20 Years of Saleen Mustangs, which is due to be released in April. More information about the 450-page hardback can be found at www.thesaleenbook.com. This article was written with the research aid of Stu Akers, Mark LaMaskin, and Greg Wackett.  '84 Saleens Steve Saleen...  '84 Saleens
Steve Saleen finished the first Mustang that would bear his name on June 1, 1984, from a white 5.0L hatchback purchased by his sister, Robyn Lee Saleen. Before the end of the production year, two more Saleens would be built in the small Racecraft shop in Petaluma, California, he shared with race fabricator Joe Carr. All three '84s (numbered 84-0032, 84-0051, and 84-0052) still exist, although 84-0051 was sidelined for many years after an engine fire. Stu Akers, a Saleen collector and enthusiast in Indianapolis who owns the trio of '84s, has almost finished restoring 84-0051. |  Race Cars The motivation...  Race Cars
The motivation of race-car collectors is a perverse one. How many used-car shoppers want to hear that a potential purchase has been driven at top speed-often for days at a time-and wrecked repeatedly? For the Saleen enthusiast who is attracted to decals, rollcages, uncomfortable seats, and lots of history, there can be no better buy than one of the company's retired race cars. The story of Saleen's R-models officially begins with a black '85 LX that Steve raced briefly in its stock form, and it continues into the 21st century with the awesome SR-based race cars. In between are SCCA championships, Trans-Am campaigns, and Le Mans. Car number 86-0029R, as shown, is owned by Stu Akers. |  "Four-Eyed" Convertibles ...  "Four-Eyed" Convertibles
In 1985, Saleen built two of his Mustangs as convertibles, applying regular hatchback wings to the flat decklids. Eleven convertibles were produced in 1986; but the new, federally mandated center high-mounted stoplight interfered with the installation of a wing. Some '86s were fitted with wings by the dealership, and some, such as Marc Allen's white convertible (number 86-0090), were fitted by owners. |  Coupes If structural integrity...  Coupes
If structural integrity and chassis stiffness had been the only criteria for choosing a Fox-body Mustang, the two-door coupe would have been the most popular 5.0L platform on the road. It was the rare enthusiast, however, who chose the smart-looking notchback over its sexier hatchback or convertible sisters. It wasn't until 1987, when J. Walter Thompson's Ford account manager Austin Craig requested one, that Saleen Autosport first worked its magic on a coupe. The company officially began offering notchback conversions in 1988 (when 25 were built, 14 of which were white Special Service Vehicle Mustangs), but never made a point of featuring the model in any of its advertising or promotional literature. By word-of-mouth alone, 20 coupes were sold in 1989, eight in 1990, four in 1991, none in 1992, and only a single unit in 1993. In all, 59 of the stout coupes were built. Mark Turner owns this white '88 coupe. |  SCs The 161 white SSCs earned...  SCs
The 161 white SSCs earned so much media attention when introduced in 1989 that the model has historically overshadowed the more powerful and lighter '90-'93 SCs that evolved from it. The first-ever EPA-certified 5.0L that Steve Saleen put into the SSC makes that model significant, but the nod for rarity must go to the SC, of which only 28 were produced before the end of Fox-body production in 1993. Thirteen were built in 1990, 10 in 1991, none in 1992, and only five for 1993 (all of which were supercharged; three of which were convertibles). Bryan Ross owns 91-0017, the only green SC made that year. |  Press Or "Company" Cars It's...  Press Or "Company" Cars
It's hard to say exactly how many cars fit this category, but their owners are proud of the histories behind them. Whether it's S-351 94-0007 (which was built for Saleen designer Phil Frank) or SSC 89-0002 (the prototype, development vehicle, and press car for the entire SSC line), each car has stories to tell and secrets waiting to be discovered. Depending on how strong sales were for the particular year, one to three or four Saleens might fit this category. Shown is Mark LaMaskin's SSC prototype, which still wears many unusual developmental pieces such as handmade headers. |
Ford Mustang Research
Car and Truck pricing can be complicated and sometimes confusing. As an authority on car buying needs we provide information about new cars, such as the Ford Mustang and all the features it comes with. The Mustang has a V8 standard engine producing 412 horsepower, and it comes with comparable warranty coverage to other vehicles in its class. The Mercury Milan and the Ford Shelby GT 500 are other vehicles that might interest you.
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1991 Ford Mustang Saleen - Dream Saleen
Sometimes bad luck for one person turns out to be good circumstance for someone else. That turned out to be the case for Ric Kolb when he came across this mint '91 Saleen ragtop on a used car lot in...
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