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.
This race car competed in the 1987-1988 SCCA Escort Endurance Championship, enabling the General Tire sponsored Saleen team, consisting of Steve Saleen and Rick Titus, to win the coveted Driver’s Championship, as well as the Manufacturer’s Championship for Saleen and Ford Motor Company. This vehicle marks a significant improvement in the development of the Saleen Mustang. Power increases to 225HP, and 5 lug, 4 wheel disc brakes became standard equipment. In 1988 the team went on to an impressive 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Mosportin Ontario, Canada.
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.
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.
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.
In 2015, Ford debuts its sixth generation Ford Mustang (S550). With a fully redesigned body, independent rear suspension and a host of other upgrades, Saleen raises the performance bar to even higher levels.
In current Black Label trim, horsepower reaches a class-leading 800HP. Further accentuating the new body work is Saleen’s exclusive carbon fiber air management system. Our unique design reduces frontal drag, while creating maximum down force for better handling. An all new alcantara/leather interior adds to the overall luxury and performance of this latest model.
The custom paint featured (California Sunset) was developed at a tribute to Paul Walker.
Saleen celebrates 30 years of business with its limited edition SA30 model.
Finished in a special paint called “Tire Smoke White Pearl,” the SA-30 maintains the Saleen tradition of white, yellow, and black paint hues. The 625 HP is courtesy of a double overhead cam 302 cid, V8, with a Saleen twin screw supercharger. Fully functional hood mounted butterfly valves feed cool air in to the engine compartment based off accelerator position.This model also includes the first of the electronic controlled all-glass roof, as well as rear seat delete, with matching spare wheel.
Only 10 units of this highly coveted model were produced.
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.
18 Reasons to Visit the Saleen Exhibit at LeMay – America’s Car Museum
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
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:
1984 Saleen Mustang, the first Saleen vehicle ever built. On loan from Stu Akers.
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.
2003 Saleen SA-20, to celebrate the company’s 20th Anniversary. On loan from Debbie Blaylock.
2007 Saleen S281 SC “Molly Pop” custom colored “candy pink” for Molly Saleen. On loan from Molly Saleen.
2015 Saleen S302 Black Label, custom colored “California Sunset” as a tribute to Paul Walker. On loan from David Weiner.
2007 Saleen S281 “Barricade” specially built for the “Transformers” movie. On loan from Robert Rendon.
2020 Saleen Sportruck XR, Baja capable, but daily driveable. On loan from Saleen.
2014 Saleen SA-30, to celebrate the company’s 30th Anniversary. On loan from Tim Anderson.
1996-1998 Saleen/Allen Racecar, “RRR” Speedlab racing team, with comedian/actor Tim Allen. On loan from the PAS collection.
1990 Saleen Race Truck, which competed at Des Moines, Road Atlanta, Colorado National Speedway, and Las Vegas. On loan from Mike Charles.
1988 Indy Car 88 March, in 1989, Steve Saleen enters the PPG Indy Car World Series. On loan from Saleen.
2001 Saleen S7, the first S7 manufactured and featured in the movie, “Bruce Almighty.” On loan from Bob & Linda Yallen Intermedia Racing.
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.
1976 March 76B Formula Atlantic, Steve sets 13 track records and ultimately wins the 1977 Pacific Coast Championship. On loan from Saleen.
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.
2020 Saleen 1 Cup Racecar, 1 of 20 race cars built for tine inaugural Saleen Cup Series. On loan from Saleen.
2019 Saleen S1, Lizstick Red promotional car. On loan from Saleen.
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.
LEMAY: AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM OPENS STEVE SALEEN RETROSPECTIVE
Renowned Tacoma, Wash. automotive gallery unveils a year-long exhibit celebrating a legacy of racing and road cars by acclaimed racer-turned-automaker Steve Saleen
“Saleen: A Journey from the Heart of a Racer to America’s Supercar” features 17 historic vehicles, including early race cars, Saleen Mustangs, S7 supercar, S1 and more
TACOMA, Wash. (Nov. 20, 2019) — For the next 12 months, racing fans, high-performance car buffs and other automotive enthusiasts can get up-close and personal with historic vehicles and articles from a true American automotive legend – all at a world-class museum facility in the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, LeMay: America’s Auto Museum (ACM) in Tacoma, Wash. opened the facility’s first year-long lifetime retrospective dedicated to a single automotive personality – internationally acclaimed racer-turned-vehicle manufacturer Steve Saleen, and his Corona, Calif.-based company, Saleen Automotive.
The exhibit, “Saleen: A Journey from the Heart of a Racer to America’s Supercar” offers visitors a unique display of Steve Saleen’s rich automotive history, spanning over four decades. Visitors can enjoy a variety of historic vehicles on display, including Steve Saleen’s personal racing machines, early Saleen Mustangs, the Saleen S7 (considered America’s first supercar), and examples of the company’s new Saleen 1 midengine turbocharged sports car and recently unveiled Saleen 1 GT4 concept race car. The exhibit initially features 17 Saleen vehicles, with additional cars rotating into the exhibit throughout the year-long display.
1976 March B Formula Atlantic race car driven by Steve Saleen
1984 Saleen Mustang
1987 Saleen Mustang race car
1988 March Indy Race Car driven by Steve Saleen
1990 Saleen Race Truck (winner of the SCCA RaceTruck
Challenge)
1995 Saleen S351 Mustang
1996 Saleen Mustang SCCA T1 race car
2003 Saleen S7 supercar featured in the film “Bruce Almighty”
2003 Saleen SA-20 Mustang
2005 Ford GT (engineered and manufactured by Saleen under contract to Ford)
2005 Saleen Mustang featured as police Decepticon Barricade in “Transformers” (2007)
2007 Saleen S281 Mustang in “Molly Pop” hot pink
2014 Saleen SA-30 Mustang
2015 Saleen S302 Mustang “Black Label”
2020 Saleen Sportruck XR
2020 Saleen 1 sports car (street version)
2020 Saleen 1 GT4 concept race car
The Saleen exhibit at ACM officially opened to the public on Saturday with a ‘Saleen and Caffeine’ event that invited visitors to meet Steve Saleen and enjoy a guided tour of the display. The exhibit opened to record attendance on Saturday morning, with Saleen owners and enthusiasts across the Pacific Northwest gathering for the event.
“It’s an honor to stand here in America’s Car Museum’s beautiful facilities with vehicles representing over four decades of my life and career,” said Steve Saleen, founder and CEO of Saleen Automotive. “I’m proud of our past achievements, but I also look forward to continuing our legacy into the future with unique new Saleen vehicles and a global presence in motorsports.”
In addition to showcasing the uniquely American automotive brand, the “Saleen: A Journey from the Heart of a Racer to America’s Supercar” exhibit aims to inspire the public with Steve Saleen’s illustrious career in automotive engineering, design and manufacturing.
“This is more than a chance for the community to get up close to some of the most extraordinary cars in the world,” said ACM CEO Jennifer Maher. “This is also an opportunity for young people to see that there’s a clear career path in automotive technology and people like Steve Saleen are the role models.”
For more information on “Saleen: A Journey from the Heart of a Racer to America’s Supercar” and to purchase tickets visit: www.AmericasCarMuseum.org.
For more details on Saleen Automotive and Steve Saleen, visit www.Saleen.com, or follow Saleen on social by using on Facebook at Facebook.com/Saleen , or by using @Saleen on Twitter and @Saleen on Instagram.
About Saleen Automotive, Inc.
Saleen is dedicated to transforming the transportation experience. For over 35 years, the California-based automotive manufacturer has redefined driving through high-performing vehicles that combine championship-winning racing pedigree with innovative technology and distinctive styling.
From the first Saleen Mustang in 1984 to the legendary S7 in 2000 and the groundbreaking new Saleen 1, company founder Steve Saleen has continually set the bar for vehicle design and performance engineering on streets and racetracks worldwide. In addition to its distinctive Saleen Signature and Saleen Original vehicle lines, Saleen offers a wide variety of technical parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel for those with a passion for performance. Learn more at www.saleen.com.
About LeMay – America’s Car Museum
America’s Car Museum (ACM), a member of America’s Automotive Trust, is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and learn how it shaped our society. Based in Tacoma, Wash., the stunning 165,000-sq.-ft. facility has been recognized as one of MSN’s 10 Best Automotive Museums worldwide, USA Today’s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING5’s Best Museum in Western Washington. ACM serves as an educational center for students of all ages, features 12 rotating exhibits and hosts AAT’s annual Signature Events. For more information, visit www.americascarmusueum.org.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Saleen PR – Collin Whitley
cwhitley@Saleen.com
