1998 Ford Mustang Saleen S281

Steve Saleen is a former Formula Atlantic race car driver and founder of Saleen Automotive.  He founded the company in 1983, which was originally named Saleen Autosport.  Saleen Mustangs are special-edition Ford Mustangs produced by Saleen Automotive, Inc.  Saleen is an American auto manufacturer that makes limited-edition, high-performance specialty vehicles.  They offer heavily modified versions of mass-produced cars, such as the Mustang. Saleen Mustangs are considered to be some of the rarer Mustang models available.  The first year Saleen released a Mustang, only three models were produced.  According to the Saleen Club of America, Saleen produced more than 8,000 modified Mustangs from 1983 to 2009.

For consignment, a high-end Mustang for enthusiasts who were offered a few choices for the model this year from the Saleen Studios...the S-281 packing a racy 220 horsepower Ford V8.  Available as a coupe or a convertible, only 173 S-281 cars were produced this year and this particular one sports Saleen serial number 98-0165.  According to the accompanying Saleen paperwork this car is 1 of 1 based on its colors and options.  A supercharger has been added to up the pony count and the miles remain very low at 22,256 title verified actual miles.  A black car, black leather, and silver decals....what more could a Mustang lover ask for?

Exterior
With air dams, side rocker panel flares, a molded front spoiler, rear quarter air vents and a rear spoiler, this car is all bathed in the factory application of Black and sports silver decal accenting.  For the rear, more integrated aero for the body matching bumper and dual exhaust peeking out from the bottom.  A look on the side profile and a sleek swept back windshield and the smaller look for the rear trunk area with the top down, and this is a true sports car, only resembling the original look of the Mustang with the traditional cove, but distinctly Saleen design, which is a separate company from the Ford blue oval.  A few more throwback styling cues are noted in the form of the 3 lens tail lights and rakish muscular stance.  18-inch 5 spoke Saleen wheels adorn the corners and are shod in deeply treaded 245/40ZR18 rubber.  A shout out to the small but usable trunk with its black felted liner and high mounted twin amps for the Mach 460 stereo system.

Interior
A nice mixture of molded plastic, carpet and smooth integrated door actuators and power button panels, it sweeps inward and guides you to the seats.  These are single high backed buckets wrapped in Black leather with deep puffy tuck and roll inserts and body hugging exaggerated bolsters.  Some folding and slight wear in the leather adds character and shows the car was actually used.  A 2 plus 2 setup of a bucket styled bench is in back and can accomodate the average framed adult if necessary.  A central console houses a glovebox, some cup holders and the shift lever, then rises to meet the dash front which has dual eyebrow curved visors for the dash top.  These frame the white-faced instrument panel on the driver's side, and the glovebox on the passenger's side.  In the center of the dash is seen in the Mach 460 dual face AM/FM/Cassette stereo with the separate CD player below.   Black carpet floods the floors and is very clean and up high a fuzzy broadcloth headliner hangs tightly.  We note an added boost gauge on the driver's A-pillar, aluminum pedal dress ups, and the Saleen serial number plaque in front of the shifter. 

Drivetrain
For its healthy heart, this car now has courtesy of Steve Saleen a  4.6-liter V8 that will produce 220hp in stock trim.   Now appearing center stage is a supercharger that works with EFI to feed the mill and throws power rearward to a T45 5-speed manual transmission. The engine bay is very nicely detailed, and shows no corrosion on any aluminum parts, including the supercharger unit.  Putting all this potent power to the ground is a Ford 8.8" TracLoc rear axle fitted with 3.27 gears.

Undercarriage
Nice and clean and surface rust on some usual suspects like the driveshaft, rear pumpkin, and on some suspension parts, but nothing remarkable.  We note the floor pans are rust free and are like new with the factory green/gray finish.  The suspension includes independent coil springs for the front and a 4 link system with coil springs for the back.  Race Craft struts, shocks, coil springs and front sway bar add up to rail like handling.  Power disc brakes all around help slow the car for the ultimate cornering.  Factory dual exhaust with Saleen installed Borla mufflers is in charge of the boosted exhale.

Drive-Ability
Our resident muscle car man took the wheel of this test drive, fired the car right up and off at the test track he went.  Upon his return he reported that acceleration was exhilarating, braking was bias free, and the suspension lived up to its reputation with great handling.  All functions were working well save for the boost gauge not registering, and the car is a great cruiser too, when you are not muscling it around the back roads.

A very rare example from the end of a millennium, beefed up by the Saleen Company with EFI and some snappy handling add ons and as a bonus it's supercharged too.  The coupe version of this year's Mustang is the finest of the choices and gives the car a great look showing off all the intricate lines.  The near flawless black and silver accenting helps too, and all the venting and extra cowlings give the car a really racy look, and aid in handling when you are pushing it.  Oh, and it's 1 of 1, so you aren't going to see a twin of your car anywhere in the world.  Race On!!!

1FAFP42X0WF242595

1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
A-Passenger Car
F-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P42-GT Coupe
X-4.6L V8 225hp
0-Check Digit
W-1998
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
242595-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.