Who wouldn’t like driving a Saleen S7 or a 289 Cobra?
I had the chance to get behind the wheel of 15 top-flight collector cars during the last two weeks while I evaluated them for “What’s My Car Worth?” on Velocity.
Normally during Arizona Car Week, I spend as much time wandering from auction to auction as I do working on the television show. But this year we had to look at 30 cars from Barrett-Jackson and 15 from RM Sotheby’s. Consequently, I spent more time behind the wheel than I did in front of the auction block. As there were SCM reporters and staff at every auction, my absence had no impact on our reporting.
I put a few miles on some cars that I wouldn’t normally get to experience. Here are my thoughts on two of them:
The 2003 Saleen S7 reminded me of the McLaren 650S I drove last summer. It was light, fast and extremely responsive. For a hand-built car, it felt surprisingly solid — although I was a little concerned about the way the scissor-style door hinges flexed while opening.
The example I drove was one of four non-turbocharged cars built with the Competition Package. I didn’t find its ride overly harsh, and it was not difficult to drive. The Saleen shifted easily, and there was plenty of power at all rpm ranges.
It sold at Barrett-Jackson for $451,000, less than we thought it would bring. I think at that price it represented a solid value for the new owner.
The second car I enjoyed the most was a 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 roadster. It had a lot of eyeball, with attractive (although incorrect) silver stripes down the center of the dark-blue car. Its sidepipe exhaust (also not correct) provided a high entertainment factor as you went down the road.
Fitted with four Webers instead of a single 4-barrel carburetor, the Cobra had more than enough power to spin the wheels on demand. I’ve driven quite a few Cobras, and this was a good one. It had the feel of a car that had been loved and enjoyed, rather than a trailer queen with suspect handling and braking. It tracked straight and stopped quickly without drama. It pulled hard with no muss or fuss.
There’s nothing like sitting behind the gauge-bedecked dashboard in a Cobra and imagining what it was like when they were driven in anger, beating all of their European and American competitors to the checkered flag, race after race after race.
If I had to choose between the Saleen and the Cobra, I’d take the Cobra. It’s not as “good” a car as the Saleen, as automotive technology has come a long way in nearly half a century. Certainly the Saleen is faster, corners better and stops more quickly.
But for a Saturday afternoon blast on a back road, the perfect cacophony from the Cobra’s open exhaust and four Webers would be very hard to top.
Ford will be discontinuing three colors soon. Competition Orange, Guard Metallic, and Deep Impact Blue. If you want one of these colors, give our Sales Department a call at (800) 888-8945 and get your order in before they aren’t available any longer.
CORONA, CA–(Marketwired – Jan 25, 2016) – Saleen Automotive Inc. (OTCQB: SLNN)
The Saleen brand opened its first international showroom in Shanghai, China. The elegant showroom is located in the upscale Jing An District in Shanghai and will not only assist in broadening the Saleen experience but also furthering the brand.
The opening of the Shanghai Showroom is the recent result of an agreement formed between Saleen and Saleen Motors International (“SMI”), an affiliate of GreenTech Automotive and licensee of the Saleen Brand in Asia.
The store will have Saleen vehicles, parts, and accessories on the showroom floor, which will allow potential buyers to see, touch, and buy Saleen. “This is an exciting opportunity for the Saleen brand,” remarked Steve Saleen. “We have fans all over the world, but this will give us a whole new customer base and the opportunity to expand the Saleen experience.” Mr. Charles Wang, Chairman and CEO of GTA, stated that, “Saleen has been the icon of American high performance cars. Its advanced powertrain technologies and aerodynamics will surely bring an exciting alternative choice for Chinese high performance car enthusiasts. The rapid expansion of Saleen’s customer base in China has not only made the legendary Saleen cars available to the vast Chinese market, but also increased manufacturing jobs in our production facility in Tunica, Mississippi. What a great win-win for both countries.”
For more information regarding this matter, Saleen can be reached at pr@saleen.com. For investor questions, please email ir@saleen.com.
About Saleen Automotive, Inc.
Saleen is an American specialty manufacturer of high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. Founder Steve Saleen has continually set the bar for automotive design and performance engineering in both street and racing applications. Saleen plans to utilize its existing strategic partnerships and dealer network to refine its design and engineering prowess, continue development of emerging automotive technologies, and expand its presence nationwide with a combination of automotive retail services, aftermarket parts and new vehicle sales to build significant long-term value. Learn more at www.saleenautomotive.com.
About GreenTech Automotive
GreenTech Automotive (“GTA”) is a United States based automotive manufacturer. GTA’s core values encompass the use of energy-efficient technology, producing affordable vehicles, and creating jobs in the United States. GTA currently manufactures all of its products in its production facility located in Tunica, Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.wmgta.com.
Published on Jan 20, 2016
Saleen S7 video segment from Legendary Motorcar’s Dream Car Garage TV series: Vintage Dream Cars.
Legendary Motorcar Company has the following services available: ground-up and partial restorations, complete paint facilities, mechanical services, full race car prep and fabrication, complete hot rod/pro-touring builds, door to door shipping and more.
In 2004, the ACEMCO Racing team debuted a new Saleen S7R in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Championship, placing second in the GTS class behind the all-conquering Corvette C5-R. Chassis 029R, the Saleen S7R driven by Terry Borcheller, David Brabham and Johnny Mowlem, later went over to Europe, competing against Maserati MC12s, Corvette C6.Rs, Nissan GT-Rs and Ford GTs in the FIA GT series. Now, this 2004 Saleen S7R, last run at this year’s Classic 24 at Daytona, is for sale on Hemmings.com, giving fans a chance to purchase an American endurance racing sports car once run at the sport’s highest levels. Prepared for last November’s Daytona event, the car features a fresh engine rebuild with just four hours of use, and is said to be in “fantastic condition,” both technically and cosmetically. From the seller’s description:
2004 Saleen S7R ALMS GT1. This is chassis 029R the 2004 ACEMCO car that finished 3rd at the Championship, later raced FIA GT 2009 and beat many times the MC12s. This is the very first “evolution” car after the S7R was totally redesigned and built in CA ( previous ones were built in UK by RML ). It received major evolutions in terms of aero, suspension, gearbox, brakes and reliability. Acemco had their engines built by ELAN ( a Don PANOZ company ) now unrestricted and producing 730HP. The car is in fantastic technical and cosmetical condition and has been totally rebuilt from the chassis ( engine by ELAN ), only 4 hours since. It comes with a few spares and is ready to race. Raced the 2015 Daytona Classic, constantly lapped in 1,46 with non professional driver and unbeatable in GT. The evolution S7Rs are extremely quick and easy to drive. A real ALMS legend. Car located in Luxembourg and welcome to any inspections.
Price: $725,000
Location: Howald,
Availability: Available
The growing allure of MaliBlue strikes again during the 2016 San Diego International Auto Show.
The San Diego International Auto Show will feature over 400 2015 Model-year vehicles, ride and drives, expanded exotics salon and much more! December 31 – January 3, 2016 at the San Diego Convention Center.
