All posts by Wayne Mertz

Ford and Saleen Mustang enthusiast and collector. SOEC webmaster from 2003 to 2005.

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: 2019 SALEEN 1 CUP RACER

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

The Saleen 1 Cup Racer is 1 of 20 exclusive race cars built for the inaugural Saleen Cup series. The Cup Racer has revised aerodynamics including a new front splitter and competition rear wing. Power is still delivered by a 2.2L turbocharged 4 cylinder, but re-calibrated to racing specifications. The interior features all safety equipment and rollover protection, as well as a Formula 1 style steering wheel with paddle shifters.

All 20 cars are identical with the exception of the distinct liveries featuring iconic, Saleen historical and contemporary designs.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: SALEEN/ALLEN SCCA T1 MUSTANG, COMPETITION MODEL

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

The Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab racing team with comedian/actor Tim Allen forms and competes in the SCCA World Challenge against the likes of Porsche, BMW, Corvette.The team takes a big win at the final race of the 1995 season in Sonoma and goes on to take the Manufacturer’s Championship trophy the following year.

In 1997, the team travels to France and competes in the 24 Hours of LeMans.This marks the only time a Mustang competed at LeMans since 1967. The team also wins the SCCA Manufacturer’s Championship title for the third time in 1998 and continues to win the championship in 1999 in GrandAm racing.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: SALEEN SPORTRUCK, COMPETITION MODEL

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

Continuing his successful professional career in racing, Steve expands to truck racing competing on a wide variety of circuits, from small ovals (Denver) and large ovals (Pocono), to various street and road racing courses throughout the United States in a Ford Ranger.

Steve dominates the multi-year series with the most overall victories, 49! Steve Saleen wins the overall Race Truck Championship in 1992 and provides Ford with the Manufacturer’s Championship. This specific truck at Des Moines, Road Atlanta, Las Vegas, with winning at the Colorado National Speedway in 1990.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

FIRST SALEEN BRAND EXPERIENCE CENTER OPENS IN SHANGHAI

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

We are excited to announce the opening of the very first Saleen Experience Center in Shanghai! The store and showroom is the first of its kind and includes a large showroom displaying Saleen Original vehicles, accessories, and more along with highlight’s from Steve’s racing career. The store also features a unique restaurant where customers are served drinks by a robotic bartender, and a private club exclusive to Saleen owners.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: MARCH 76B

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

Steve sets 13 track records and ultimately wins the 1977 Pacific Coast Championship, and then goes on to compete against the likes of Gilles Villeneuve, Keke Rosberg, Bobby Rahal, and Danny Sullivan in Formula Atlantic. The March 76B is known amongst racers as “fast and twitchy” and is powered by a Ford Cosworth Engine, and transfers power to the wheels through a Hewland FT-200 gearbox.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: 2020 SALEEN 1

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

Seeing the need for a true “Driver’s Car” Saleen launches the Saleen 1 –the first all-original Saleen vehicle since the S7.

This mid-engined, two seat, independent suspension vehicle is the next generation of a true sports car. Featuring an all aluminum light weight chassis combined with a carbon fiber body results in an impressive vehicle weight of less than 2700 lbs.

The Saleen designed, turbocharged inline, 4-cylinder with unique split block engine produces 450HP. The combined horsepower and lightweight chassis yields supercar performance.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: SPORTRUCK XR BLACK LABEL

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

The Saleen SportruckXR takes off-roading to a new high. Based off the F-150, Saleen engineered a truck that is Baja capable, but also daily drivable. The entire suspension and steering systems are reworked with components custom built by Saleen for off-road use and durability.

In keeping with Saleen tradition the supercharging system boosts the horsepower to 700HP on a 5.0L V8. Saleen designed bumpers and unique wide body fenders further separates this truck from the pack.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: 2007 S281 SUPERCHARGED “BARRICADE”

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

In 2007, Hollywood contacts Saleen for his expertise to produce movie vehicles for the upcoming “Transformers” movie. They request a really mean cop car that can live up to its “To Punish and Enslave” moniker. Saleen produces “Barricade” using his S281 Mustang and outfits it with the necessary law enforcement accouterments.

Unlike many movie vehicles, “Barricade” is a fully functional and drivable vehicle. This is one of two vehicles specially built for the “Transformers” movie, the other being “Bumblebee” the Camaro. Steve personally picked the shade of yellow for Bumblebee, which was not a GM color at the time.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: 07-0001 S281 SUPERCHARGED “MOLLYPOP”

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

With the release of the fifth generation Mustang “S197” in 2005, Saleen takes his styling to another level.

Dramatic innovations such as HID headlights and a unique new scenic glass roof developed in-house at Saleen, along with new aerodynamics and engine modifications prove popular with the public, setting new sales records.

Steve’s daughter, Molly, had this custom 2007 Saleen Mustang colored candy pink, specifically mixed to her liking. The reaction to this one-off color was so popular, we now offer it as a special order color.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

LEMAY SPOTLIGHT: 03-0001SA, SA-20 SPEEDSTER

From our friends at Saleen Automotive

To celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, we created the limited edition SA-20 model. All of these models wear the company’s traditional hues of white, yellow and black, and feature a tonneau cover with integrated light bar. In 1999, we stopped production of the 351cid V8, and chose to supercharge the Ford 281 cid V8, with a Saleen developed twin-screw supercharger. The SA-20 features this supercharger and belts out 375 HP. The list price of $54,357 included an all expense trip for two to Irvine, CA for the debut of the SA-20.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]