From our friends at Saleen Performance Vehicles.
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[Source: Saleen Performance Vehicles]
SALEEN PERFORMANCE VEHICLES PREPARES MATTE BLACK SPEEDSTER FOR SEMA 2011
All posts by Jim Dvorak
MOTHERS® LAUNCHES NEW COMMERCIAL WITH STEVE SALEEN
Video: MothersPolish
We filmed the commercial several few weeks ago at SMS with HRE Wheels and Pirelli Tire chiefs — it was a fun day! This was a bit of a secret but it was finalized and shipped to the networks last week.
It’s airing on ESPN2, SPEED and a few other “car” channels, and will air during ABC’s next broadcast of F1.
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[Source: Mothers® Polishes Waxes Cleaners]
STEVE SALEEN AT CAMPBELL FORD IN NILES, MI – JULY 1, 2011
Campbell Ford Lincoln Mercury SMS in Niles Michigan is pleased to announce a Steve Saleen Signature Event this Friday, July 1!
We would like as many SOEC members, forum participants and Saleen owners and enthusiasts to come in to show off your rides and meet Steve Saleen!
Campbell Ford Lincoln Mercury Saleen
2801 S. 11th St.
Niles, Mi. 49120
PHIL FRANK INTRODUCES PFD CARBONWORKS
Renowned Designer Phil Frank introduces PFD Carbonworks
Celebrates 20 years of design work
June 10, 2011 – Portland, Oregon, Phil Frank, the man behind the design of the legendary Saleen S7, launches his exotic component business PFD Carbonworks. His twenty years of design innovation in the automotive and product domains have set the tone for the world of high performance aesthetics. From Nike watches and eyewear to shaping America’s True Supercar, from carbon fiber furniture to brand building, four generations of performance vehicles to premium retail experiences – while many people may not realize it, it is quite likely that they have coveted one of his many designs.
As a design consultant via *pfd, the 45-year-old Oregon native has been instrumental in designing the brands, vehicles and products of numerous companies. As an entrepreneur, he has focused his experience, time and resources into establishing PFD Carbonworks – dedicated to performance and innovation components for the automotive exotic enthusiast.
Each PFD Carbonworks component is digitally designed and CAD sculpted by Mr. Frank to ensure the highest quality production surface data for the optimal fit and finish befitting the exotic vehicle market. High performance materials, “Made in USA”-manufacturing, exacting standards and quality control ensure ultimate weight reduction and best-in-class fit, finish and quality which exotic car owners and enthusiasts demand.
The PFD Carbonworks development process includes digitally scanning of vehicles to ensure precision tolerances to within 0.135mm. Original designs are then digitally developed, refined and evaluated for aesthetic beauty and precision. Large format CNC machines are used to create flawless patterns with perfect symmetry from left to right, something rarely accomplished in the exotic vehicle component world. After that, precision autoclave molds are created for production of each bespoke carbon fiber component.
Each Limited Edition PFD Carbonworks component goes through a rigorous quality control cycle and is eventually signed off personally by Mr. Frank to ensure his name befits the end product. From here, the component is authenticated, dated and serialized prior to delivery.
The first PFD Carbonworks component available is a carbon fiber front bonnet for the first generation Lamborghini Gallardo, designed to complement the crisp lines and dramatic body of the original, while retaining an appropriate amount of the evolving Lamborghini Design DNA from vehicles such as the Reventón, Sesto Elemento and Aventador. The subtle vanishing center facet and the minimally exposed carbon fiber weave of the diving blade surfaces make a dramatic and modern visual statement. The results are stunning yet refined and elevate first generation Gallardos into a league befitting current and future Lamborghini offerings.
The second PFD Carbonworks offering is a carbon fiber aerodynamic trim package for the Audi R8 which includes front splitters, side splitters and a Gurney lip spoiler – each component designed to complement the sinuous lines and crisp details of the R8 while achieving aerodynamic performance gains.
The material richness and beauty of these carbon fiber components is enhanced by their incredible strength and minimal weight. Production begins in July, while complete packages or individual components can be ordered now. Similar design solutions for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the Ferrari 458 and the Aston Martin Vantage are in development.
The third PFD Carbonworks product line was envisioned as a convergence of automotive design, material richness and sculpture for enthusiast’s environments – the dramatic and visually minimal PFD Carbon Fiber Spyder Tables are a compliment to any exotic car owner’s lifestyle garage, entrepreneur’s office, bespoke living room or luxury yacht.
Each PFD Spyder Table is constructed to the same exacting standards as the automotive components, including the carbon fiber chassis, billet aluminum hub and the 12mm beveled, etched and tempered glass. The built to order Serialized Limited Edition PFD Spyder 2323 End and PFD Spyder 5325 Coffee tables are available for purchase now.
PFD Carbonworks founder Phil Frank concludes “For twenty years I’ve been designing behind the scenes for other brands via *pfd and I will continue to do so. However, by establishing PFD Carbonworks, I’ve chosen to design what I love for myself and the exotic car enthusiast community”
2011 SMS 302 RAFFLE: HELD BY RELAY FOR LIFE
A note from Ed Barnes
I am doing a Raffle for a 2011 SMS 302.
Proceeds are going to the Food Lion Relay for Life team, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society. If you don’t know what Relay is, just go the website, Rowan County Relay for Life.
Donation is $50 a ticket and chances in winning are 1 in 1300.
Raffle is being held by Relay for Life — not the dealership. We just have the car.
You can contact me Ed Barnes at: ebarnes@capitalford.com or 704-267-6461 (cell).
Also, you can pay by paypal. I will fill out your ticket and mail you your stub which has a picture of the car on it. Grand prize is the car, 2nd place is $300, 3rd is $100. Good luck guys!!!
Drawing will be held when last ticket is sold. Winner will be announced on every forum.
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THE RESTORATION OF 89-0218
PHOTOS & TEXT: RONALD AASTED
I got the need for speed bug in 2009 when I took my 2006 GT Mustang in March to Portland International Raceway for a High Performance Driving School. What a blast that was and for $200.00 I thought it was a pretty good deal. Problem was now I liked racing so much how can I do this affordability. That’s where I found Auto Cross Racing. While it doesn’t compare to taking your car on track and going all out it was in itself a very competitive type of racing and met my first goal of affordable.
After a few events with the 2006 Mustang, learning its capabilities and taking a few hits literally on the chin with some cones I decided I wanted to buy a car specifically for Auto Crossing. Due to the screws coming from the back side forward on the Roush front chin spoiler I ended up with a few star cracks in the paint, so the decision was made.
I found my Saleen on Craiglist in Bend OR. I contacted the seller and discussed the photos as the car had some damage on it. I decided to make the purchase and two hours later we picked up the car. Not to bore you with all the details but once I started looking a little closer I could see I had a little more work cut out for me then originally intended before I could race it so I’ll just start posting a few pictures of my journey and thanks for all the people that helped me along the way with questions and Saleen parts I needed. I have never done anything like this before, so everything I did I learned from watching shows on how to’s and asking questions.
The first set of pictures are when I brought it home.
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A LETTER FROM SALEEN PERFORMANCE VEHICLES
To our loyal customers, fans, and dealers,
Yesterday, we announced to the press that the 2011 Saleen S302 will be the last car produced under the Saleen name. We wanted to follow up with a second communication, a letter directly to you, to provide a bit more clarity into our decision and what you can expect from us in the future.
The first thing you should know is that this does not signal the end of the extreme
performance, expressive styling, exceptional value, exclusivity, and experience (what we lovingly call “The Five E’s”) that have defined Saleen performance vehicles since 1984. The teams responsible for making the vehicles you have come to know and love will continue to pour the same technical know-‐how and passion for performance into vehicles – stunning in both their beauty and power – for a long time coming.
You will continue to see – and hear, because who could live without that sound? –our unique American exotics rolling off the lots of dealerships across the country, on race tracks and tradeshows around the globe, and in the driveways of those proud and fortunate few who actually own one (Or two. Or three). You will continue to see the Saleen flag and Speedlab name, which have become as iconic in their own rights as the handcrafted beauties they adorn.
You will also see continued and uninterrupted service for Saleens already sold, both in the form of the warranties we will continue to honor, and in the form of replacement parts (currently available at speedlab.saleen.com).
What you won’t see is the Saleen name on these or any other vehicles in the future. Over the past several years, we have witnessed a lot of confusion around the Saleen brand, due to a number of financial ups and downs and accompanying changes in ownership. The name itself has become the center of countless conversations and debates, detracting from the cars themselves, and from the culture of performance that they both embody and serve.
Our newest owners, Revstone Industries, are performance purists. What attracted them to Saleen in the first place is the same thing that attracted all of you: the look of a custom paint job, the sound of a 620 hp engine rumbling under the hood, the mixed-‐together smells of real leather and burnt rubber, and the sense of awe that you can only get at a racetrack. Through our conversations with Ford Motor Company and one another, we have come to feel that those things have become overshadowed by questions surrounding the name. So we want to wipe the slate clean, and usher in a new era of American muscle. We are confident that, in time, you will agree that this was the right decision.
Thank you,
The Saleen Performance Vehicles Team
REVSTONE ANNOUNCES INTENT TO GROW HIGH PERFORMANCE OFFERING
Troy, MI – Revstone announced today that it will refocus its strategy in performance vehicles to become a second stage manufacturer and a distributor of aftermarket performance parts. The move will allow the company – which currently produces Saleen Performance Vehicles and Saleen Speedlab parts – to leverage its size and customer relationships to provide a wider range of high performance offerings to consumers.
“The teams responsible for engineering and development of Saleen bring a level of engineering prowess and passion that is second to none,” said Bob LaCourciere, President of Revstone Aftermarket. “We want to apply that same talent and dedication to second stage manufacturing”.
As part of this strategic shift, the company has announced that the 2011 Saleen S302 (shown at the 2010 SEMA show) will be the last car produced under the Saleen name. The S302 vehicles are currently in production; all production will be completed by the third quarter of this year.
“We feel it is time to retire the legend, and to usher in a new era of performance,” continued LaCourciere. “We will continue to honor our warranties on Saleen vehicles and Saleen parts will be available through Speedlab”.
The company plans to hold a webinar in the second quarter of 2011 to answer any questions and provide more insight into its plans for the transition.
About Revstone
Revstone is a recognized name in transportation, with over $1 billion in projected revenue. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, with regional offices in Michigan, New York, and China, Revstone maintains a global reach and provides services related to the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of products for the automotive and commercial trucking industries. Revstone operates manufacturing facilities in more than 60 locations throughout North and Central America with plans to expand further within Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
REVSTONE ENDING SALEEN VEHICLE PRODUCTION
TROY, Mich., March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Revstone announced today that it will refocus its strategy in performance vehicles to become a second stage manufacturer and a distributor of aftermarket performance parts. The move will allow the company – which currently produces Saleen Performance Vehicles and Saleen Speedlab parts – to leverage its size and customer relationships to provide a wider range of high performance offerings to consumers.
“The teams responsible for engineering and development of Saleen bring a level of engineering prowess and passion that is second to none,” said Bob LaCourciere, President of Revstone Aftermarket. “We want to apply that same talent and dedication to second stage manufacturing.”
As part of this strategic shift, the company has announced that the 2011 Saleen S302 (shown at the 2010 SEMA show) will be the last car produced under the Saleen name. The S302 vehicles are currently in production; all production will be completed by the third quarter of this year.
“We feel it is time to retire the legend, and to usher in a new era of performance,” continued LaCourciere. “We will continue to honor our warranties on Saleen vehicles, and Saleen parts will be available through Speedlab.”
The company plans to hold a webinar in the second quarter of 2011 to answer any questions and provide more insight into its plans for the transition.
About Revstone
Revstone is a recognized name in transportation, with over $1 billion in projected revenue. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, with regional offices in Michigan, New York, and China, Revstone maintains a global reach and provides services related to the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of products for the automotive and commercial trucking industries. Revstone operates manufacturing facilities in more than 60 locations throughout North and Central America with plans to expand further within Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Revstone management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future consolidated results, financial situation, development or performance of the company, and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability to update such forward-looking statements or to adapt to future events or developments.
SEE SMS SUPERCARS AT THE LA AUTO SHOW – NOV. 19-28, 2010
* See SMS Supercars at the LA Auto Show – Nov. 19-28, 2010
* Located in Concourse Hall
* Show details at: http://www.laautoshow.com
See Sean Saleen on the KTLA News:
(click on image to see video)