Tag Archives: Featured

Event Coverage

CARLISLE FORD NATIONALS 2021 COVERAGE


Video: SOEC Staff

The Ford Nationals 2021 extravaganza is now over. Held during the first weekend of June in Carlisle Pennsylvania, this yearly celebration of Blue Oval excellence IS the place to be for viewing almost 100 acres of FoMoCo products. 2021 saw special displays for Stroppe Edition Broncos, Ford Pintos, 1971-73 Ford Mustangs and famous Fords of Hollywood film / television.

There were an estimated 40 Saleen manufactured vehicles on the fairgrounds to proudly display Power In The Hands of a Few to all showgoers. This collection of Saleen vehicles ranged from early “four-eyed” 1985-86 editions to the latest 2021 S302 White and Yellow Labels currently offered.

Until next year!

Saleen Automotive booth
Airbrushed horse mural.
Vintage Saleen Autosport t-shirt.
1985 Saleen Mustang interior.

2021 Carlisle Ford Nationals award winners
—————————–

B523 – 1984 – 1993 SALEEN MUSTANG
65 – Tom Sassak — 1985 Saleen Mustang — FIRST PLACE
66 – Ron Doucette — 1989 Saleen Mustang — SECOND PLACE
67 – Luis Batista — 1990 Saleen Mustang — THIRD PLACE
—————————–

B524 – 1994 – 2004 SALEEN MUSTANG
68 – Johnny Kabigting — 2001 Saleen Mustang — FIRST PLACE
69 – Brandon Garcia — 2000 Saleen Mustang — SECOND PLACE
70 – Damion Krauss — 2004 Saleen Mustang — THIRD PLACE
—————————–

B525 – 2005 – 2014 SALEEN MUSTANG
71 – Thomas Cesare — 2006 Saleen Mustang — FIRST PLACE
72 – Keith Douglas — 2007 Saleen Mustang — SECOND PLACE
73 – Eric Seaman — 2006 Saleen Mustang — THIRD PLACE
—————————–

B526 – 2015 – CURRENT SALEEN MUSTANG
74 – Bob & Jackie Betz — 2020 Saleen Mustang — FIRST PLACE
—————————–

B527 – SALEEN POWERED
75 – James Horstman — 2007 Saleen F150 — FIRST PLACE
76 – Ramon Gomez — 2000 Saleen Explorer — SECOND PLACE
77 – Dean & Tara Shields — 1998 Saleen Explorer — THIRD PLACE
—————————–

G320 – 1966 – 1977 BRONCO
250 – Andy Ogurchak — 1966 Ford Bronco — *SPECIAL AWARD*
* Celebrity Pick Chosen By: Eric Seaman, Saleen Club of America
—————————–

Y755 – FIRST GEN LIGHTNING F-150 SVT
657 – Barry Rodkey — 1994 Ford Lightning — *SPECIAL AWARD*
* Celebrity Pick Chosen By: David Bruno, Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club

Click here to participate in the discussion.

Press Release

SALEEN PERFORMANCE PARTS RELOCATES MANUFACTURING

CALIFORNIA FIRM RELOCATES TO ROUND ROCK, CREATING 150 JOBS
Saleen Performance Parts is a maker and distributor of a broad array of aftermarket automotive performance and restyling parts

ROUND ROCK, TX (October 7, 2020) — Chamber of Commerce officials on Wednesday announced the relocation of a manufacturing firm from Southern California to Round Rock, a move expected to create 150 jobs.

Officials at Opportunity Austin, the Greater Austin Chamber’s five-county economic development initiative, said Saleen Performance Parts will relocate its manufacturing operations to Central Texas. The company is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of a broad array of aftermarket automotive performance and restyling parts. The manufacturing operations being relocated include plastic injection and advanced composites manufacturing that service house brands including Saleen Performance Parts, 3dCarbon and Xenon in addition to contract manufacturing for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and specialty equipment products.

“We are excited to welcome the Saleen Performance Parts headquarters to Round Rock,” Austin Chamber/Opportunity Austin Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Charisse Bodisch said in a prepared statement. “Saleen Performance Parts’ decision to invest in the region will expand our growing automotive industry, leverage local assets like Circuit Of The Americas, and bring jobs during a time we need them most.”

Added Saleen Performance Parts President Molly Saleen: “After a multi-year nationwide search, we are excited to expand our parts manufacturing to Central Texas. “As a domestic manufacturer, we have unique criteria that needed to be met in our site selection including community participation, and we feel that the Austin area meets all of our requirements to match our current growth and business operations.”

The company will occupy a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing and office space located at 900 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Building 3 in Round Rock. It is projected to add more than 150 manufacturing-related jobs over the next several years and has future plans for expansion.

“We are proud to welcome Saleen Performance Parts to Round Rock,” Round Rock Chamber President and CEO Jason Ball. “We congratulate them on a great decision for their company and their team. Our partnership with Opportunity Austin, and a city supportive of business growth, continue to bring new employers to Round Rock.”

As a relocation project, the company expects to invest directly in facilities, industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies and specialized career training and advancement as an ongoing discipline, officials explained. Saleen Performance Parts operations are estimated to create a more than $45 million direct and induced local economic benefit in the first few years as reported by an independent economic firm, officials added.

About Opportunity Austin

Opportunity Austin is the economic development initiative aimed at fostering job-creating investment in the five-county Central Texas region. Top priorities include boosting economic diversification to proactively strengthen the economy, deepening the talent pool through development and attraction, and keeping the Greater Austin region attractive to entrepreneurs, business leaders and site selectors through advocacy on issues such as a comprehensive regional transportation system and regional collaboration. Since 2004, Opportunity Austin has helped bring more than 400,000 total jobs to the Austin region.

Click here to participate in the discussion.

[Source: Austin Chamber]

Press Release

SALEEN UNVEILS 2021 “BIG OLY” BRONCO CONCEPT

SALEEN UNVEILS 2021 “BIG OLY” INSPIRED BRONCO CONCEPT

AVAILABLE SOON

The Baja 1000 is one of the most grueling endurance races in the world, pitting man and machine against mother nature. To win the race is a feat, to win it twice a monumental accomplishment. One vehicle in particular, “Big Oly,” piloted by Parnelli Jones, conquered the course twice in back to back victories, and has become one of the most well known and respected off-road vehicles of all time.

With the release of the new Ford Bronco, Saleen Automotive is proud to present the Saleen Big Oly Bronco. This homage vehicle not only wears a livery reminiscent of the original, but will also host numerous performance features you’ve come to expect from Saleen.

“With the popularity of off-roading, it makes perfect sense to further our off-road lineup with the Saleen Bronco.” Steve Saleen, CEO, Saleen Automotive

2021 Saleen Bronco "Concept"
2021 Saleen Bronco “Concept”

FEATURES

• Saleen front bumper with Integrated LED Light Array and forged carbon skid plate
• Saleen Grille surround in forged carbon with Baja Blue accent color
• Saleen Design composite front fenders with integrated forged carbon fender vent
• Saleen Power Hood
• Dual A-Pillar mount LED driving light
• Roof Mount Pro 8 light bar
• Saleen rocker panel guards
• Body Color removable roof with Saleen Design modular roof rack
• Saleen Design composite rear fenders and quarter panel
• Saleen adjustable rear roof spoiler
• Saleen rear tire carrier and rear bumper
• ‘Big Oly’ inspired winning livery with Olympia insignia and Baja Blue accent.

Click here to participate in the discussion.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

Event Coverage

18 REASONS TO VISIT THE SALEEN EXHIBIT AT LEMAY – AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM

18 Reasons to Visit the Saleen Exhibit at LeMay – America’s Car Museum

LeMay Museum, overhead
LeMay Museum, overhead

As you read this, many of you have seen coverage from last weekend’s grand opening of a new year-long exhibit honoring the racing and business achievements of Steve Saleen; witnessed through numerous videos and photos shared via social media from the LeMay Automotive Museum. If you were fortunate enough to attend the “Intimate Dinner with Steve Saleen” or “Saleen and Caffeine” or both, then you observed first-hand this impressive presentation of historic Saleen vehicles and vintage memorabilia collected under one roof. Steve, Liz and Molly were also in attendance and warmly greeted owners and fans throughout the two-day affair. If you did not go, don’t fret, I will convey why you should make plans to visit this “must-see” destination very soon.

Steve & Liz Saleen with March race car
Steve & Liz Saleen with March race car

As you walk towards main entrance of the LeMay Museum, you are dazzled by a 2019 Saleen S1 painted in signature Lizstick Red, glowing in its red with orange hues inside the main lobby. As you journey into the start of the main floor display area, be prepared to be instantly taken back by the Saleen Exhibit. In front of you and lined up to your left are some of the most iconic Saleen street vehicles ever built organized by their generation. Meanwhile lined up to your right are a few of the most historical and famous Saleen competition vehicles that have graced racetracks around the world. A lot is represented here, all in one place, from the very first Saleen Mustang ever made to the current Saleen 1 Cup racecar. Ornamenting the museum walls are a selection of important Saleen memorabilia that is gloriously displayed behind glass.

If you’re not impressed yet, then chew on this. Where else can you view some of the most iconic/historical Saleen vehicles and memorabilia all gathered in one accessible place? This exhibit is a cooperative effort through Steve Saleen as well as private owners and collectors across the USA to bring together this fantastic display of irreplaceable and priceless pieces of Saleen history. The kind of history that is interwoven into every Saleen’s (vehicle) DNA.

Still not convinced? Here are the 18 reasons why you should see the Saleen Exhibit:

  1.  1984 Saleen Mustang, the first Saleen vehicle ever built. On loan from Stu Akers.
  2.  1995 Saleen S-351, this Speedster was a corporate demo and famously used to promote the national Mcdonald’s Monopoly sweepstakes. On loan from the PAS collection.
  3.  2003 Saleen SA-20, to celebrate the company’s 20th Anniversary. On loan from Debbie Blaylock.
  4.  2007 Saleen S281 SC “Molly Pop” custom colored “candy pink” for Molly Saleen. On loan from Molly Saleen.
  5.  2015 Saleen S302 Black Label, custom colored “California Sunset” as a tribute to Paul Walker. On loan from David Weiner.
  6.  2007 Saleen S281 “Barricade” specially built for the “Transformers” movie. On loan from Robert Rendon.
  7.  2020 Saleen Sportruck XR, Baja capable, but daily driveable. On loan from Saleen.
  8.  2014 Saleen SA-30, to celebrate the company’s 30th Anniversary. On loan from Tim Anderson.
  9.  1996-1998 Saleen/Allen Racecar, “RRR” Speedlab racing team, with comedian/actor Tim Allen. On loan from the PAS collection.
  10.  1990 Saleen Race Truck, which competed at Des Moines, Road Atlanta, Colorado National Speedway, and Las Vegas. On loan from Mike Charles.
  11.  1988 Indy Car 88 March, in 1989, Steve Saleen enters the PPG Indy Car World Series. On loan from Saleen.
  12.  2001 Saleen S7, the first S7 manufactured and featured in the movie, “Bruce Almighty.” On loan from Bob & Linda Yallen Intermedia Racing.
  13.  2005 Ford GT, Saleen is awarded two contracts to build the new Ford GT for Ford. This vehicle’s VIN# is “1966” coinciding with Ford’s win at Le Mans. On loan from Saleen.
  14.  1976 March 76B Formula Atlantic, Steve sets 13 track records and ultimately wins the 1977 Pacific Coast Championship. On loan from Saleen.
  15.  1987 Saleen Mustang Racecar, competed in the 1987 – 1988 SCCA Escort Endurance Championship, winning the Driver’s Championship as well as the Manufacturer’s Championship. On loan from Dave Frezza.
  16.  2020 Saleen 1 Cup Racecar, 1 of 20 race cars built for tine inaugural Saleen Cup Series. On loan from Saleen.
  17.  2019 Saleen S1, Lizstick Red promotional car. On loan from Saleen.
  18.  Rarely seen collection of Saleen racing and manufacturing memorabilia.

If you close your eyes for a moment, you can picture a Mustang, a Bronco, a Model T, a Thunderbird, and yet year after year we attend car shows to see these cars with our own eyes. This Saleen Exhibit hosted by the LeMay Automotive Museum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feast your eyes on a selection of Saleen vehicles and memorabilia that you may never be able to see again.

Click here to participate in the discussion.