Build A Saleen Mustang Look Alike - How To: Saleen Ground Effects

Next up, Thompson removed the seat back by taking out the two bolts that held the base of the seat to the floorpan. With the top of his open palm on the bottom edge, the seat back is released. This procedure has not really changed much in 35 years!

More push clips were removed from the rear seat side panels, and the side panels were pushed out of the way to allow access to the bolts holding the side vents in.

With the panel out of the way, the speaker box had to be unbolted and removed as well (arrow). This will allow access to the holes needed to bolt the Saleen side vents to the car.

The Ford vents are a pop-in affair that are easy to remove with the aid of a flat-blade screwdriver and some care.

This white plastic wind protector was eventually painted flat black, because the Saleen screens are open to the area directly behind them, and therefore the white plastic is visible.

Thompson fit the side slats in, and the fit was nice and tight-just like the factory. Thompson's one desire was that the panels have the same type of clip that Ford used. That way, there would be no need for removal of the interior panels.

Next up were the side skirts. Thompson is seen here adding the screens. This owner wanted them white-not what we recommend for a Saleen look, but hey, it did look quite cool with the white top and interior. Screens are provided for all the openings on the car except for the mouth below the grille.

No instructions are provided for the direction of the screen pattern. We chose to install them following the direction of the bottom edge of the opening. The white at least lets you see how we think they should go.

The skirts install like the factory pieces. At the front, a hole was drilled where the Saleen skirts had a dimple, and then a screw was applied.

To install the center door section, the black plastic strip (arrow) had to be replaced back through the skirt and door edge. Note the plastic that is sticking up. This was cut away using a utility knife, and then touched up with the RM paint.

Thompson inspected the skirt fit front to rear. Other than the part that had to be cut off, the skirts were a good, tight fit through the center.

Thompson wasn't real happy that the skirts bowed out at the fender, both front and rear. This bow could have come from accident damage. Even so, he used some 3M fast dry urethane sealer to set the pieces tight. This was left overnight to dry.