PHOTOS & TEXT: CHRIS YANNUZZI

I had been in San Diego, CA from 1998-2001 while I was in the Navy. During this time I was part of a local Mustang club, with my 1997 Cobra convertible. During the Fall of 2000, the president of our car club set up a cruise to the Annual Saleen Car Show in Irvine, CA. So we headed up there and got registered for the show.

I knew of the Saleen Mustang due to being in the club, but never saw one up-close and I never thought I would be able to afford one on a E-4 paycheck. As I walked around, I was amazed at the beauty of each Saleen that was lined up for the show (and being a hater, I’m not going to lie – lol) I heard a roar of an engine and as I looked up at the main street, I saw Steve and Liz pull up in the first Saleen S7 (the color was silver). He was followed by a Saleen Explorer and as he reversed into a location in the center of the show, a group of guys jumped out of the Saleen Explorer and surrounded the S7 with velvet ropes. I was in awe of the S7, the show, the other Saleens, the Mystic SR (no engine) in the showroom, etc!!! I was HOOKED!!! At that show I took a pic of me and Steve together. Looking back it kinda seems creepy, since I didn’t know I would be a owner of one of his vehicles in the future.

Fast forward 9 years later (two more kids and a paid off Suburban and living in Austin, TX) – I was Finally able to pounce on my prey. Low and behold was a Ultra Rare Legend Lime Saleen S281 Speedster. Not only was that PURE AWESOME, but it had already had tons of mods done to it. An Extreme upgrade to it give it 550 horses, intake upgrade, and full exhaust upgrade w/ long tube headers and only 6k miles on the beast!!! It happened to be tucked away in a garage with its first owner never driving it because he worked out of state. I snatched it up and have enjoyed it ever since – She is nicknamed the 2nd wife!!!

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[Source: Chris Yannuzzi]