Everything Ford Fans Should Know About Saleen Mustangs

Few other names are as closely associated with the history of the Ford Mustang as Steve Saleen. From humble beginnings in the early '80s to nationwide recognition less than two decades later, Saleen's rise to prominence was shaped both on the track and the street. The company's founder had spent years carving out a career as a racing driver long before he produced his first customer car, but his association with the Mustang dates back even before he took his first chequered flag.

The manufacturer has developed a wide range of custom-built models over the decades, from sporty pickup trucks to the S7 supercar, one of the world's fastest cars upon its launch. However, the Saleen brand is still (mostly) closely tied to its founder's long history of transforming Mustangs from run-of-the-mill pony cars into tire-shredding street racing machines. From his early projects to the present, we've compiled a timeline of all the key Saleen Mustangs that Ford fans should know about.

The launch of the Saleen Mustang SSC in 1989 was instrumental in gaining wider recognition for the Saleen brand. Its introduction marked the 25th year of Mustang production and, fittingly, it was billed as the most powerful Mustang to date. Its 5.0-liter V8 was upgraded with revised heads, a new exhaust, and various other performance components, bringing its power output to around 300 horsepower.

Originally, Saleen planned to make 250 examples of the car, but only 161 were reportedly produced. In addition to its performance upgrades, the SSC is a prime example of the exterior styling that made the company's products so distinctive. A body kit and rear wing ensured that no one could mistake the SSC for a run-of-the-mill Mustang, and it was also the first car to feature Saleen's signature chevron decals. Its significance to the Saleen brand has meant that it has remained a sought-after collector's car today.

The introduction of the fourth generation Mustang in 1994 saw a new lineup of Saleen models launched, the most powerful of which was the Saleen SR. This special edition model boasted 480 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful Saleen Mustangs ever made at its launch. However, a one-off collaboration between the company and comedian Tim Allen produced even more horsepower.

Allen and Saleen worked collaboratively to customize almost every element of the car, with its engine fettled to make 500 horsepower. A full roll cage was also installed and a handmade leather interior added a luxurious touch to the build. Allen and Saleen's meeting came about by chance (the former spotted the latter in the audience at one of his shows) but the partnership turned out to be an important one. In 1995, the two men launched the "RRR" Speedlab race team, who took the manufacturers' title at the SCCA World Challenge in just their second year of competition.

The Saleen brand was catapulted even further into mainstream consciousness with the launch of the S281 in 1996. The S281 offered a less powerful but notably cheaper alternative to the S352 and SR models, with its Modular V8 engine remaining stock. The focus for the S281 was instead on handling: Saleen fitted a new exhaust, revised suspension, and of course, a revised version of its distinctive body kit.

The S281 is best remembered by many as one of the top prizes in the nationwide McDonald's Deluxe Monopoly, which offered six examples of the S281 Speedster alongside the grand prize of $1 million in cash. The promotion saw images of the Saleen Mustang grace advertisements across the U.S. and Canada, helping to raise the brand's profile among non-enthusiasts as well as those already in the know. The S281 would become the best-selling Saleen Mustang variant, with 363 Coupes and 511 convertible Speedster examples sold between 1996 and 1998.

[Featured image by Sicnag via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]

Ford's facelift of the Mustang for the 1999 model year saw Saleen refresh its lineup accordingly, tweaking each model's styling and power output. The two-tier offering of either a 281 or 351 V8 engine was carried over, but the latter now made 495 horsepower, a 15 horsepower boost over the previously range-topping SR. The 351 Saleen Mustang's claimed 0-60 mph time was reduced to 4.6 seconds, and it could reportedly reach 122 mph after a quarter mile.

The 285 horsepower S281 didn't boast quite such impressive acceleration figures, but it did boast a lower price than before. Saleen dropped its starting MSRP by $400, as well as reworking the car's body kit for better aerodynamics. Those looking for an extra power boost could opt for the Supercharged S281, which offered a middle ground between the entry-level S281 and the powerful but pricey S351. This new model in the lineup was good for 360 horsepower and also featured revisions to the Racecraft suspension system to help keep those extra ponies in line.

[Featured image by Daderot via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 1.0]

After the successful launch of the S7, Saleen was given one of its most important contracts yet from Ford. As a registered Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer, Saleen was tasked by the Blue Oval with assembling its upcoming supercar, the GT. Preparations for the assembly process began in 2003, and the same year, Saleen released the special edition SA-20 Mustang to commemorate 20 years in business.

The launch of the fifth-generation Mustang for the 2005 model year also meant a new lineup of Saleen Mustang models, including one particularly special collaboration. Saleen partnered with legendary racing driver Parnelli Jones for a limited-run Mustang inspired by Jones' 1970 Boss 302. Its naturally aspirated V8 cranked out 400 horsepower and the only paint finish available was bright orange, in tribute to Jones' classic pony car.

However, despite the brand's continued success, divisions were forming at Saleen headquarters. The company had been bought out by an investment firm in 2003, and the new leadership eventually clashed with founder Steve Saleen's ambitions. A Chinese automaker reportedly approached the company about an import partnership, but the American outfit wasn't interested. However, Saleen was keen to get on board with the project, and eventually left the company in 2007. He was announced as the new CEO of the Chinese venture, ZX Automobile Company, a few weeks later. According to initial reports, the new venture aimed to import 30,000 cars per year into the U.S. by 2009.

Steve Saleen bought back the company that bore his name in 2012, bringing production of his SMS cars and Saleen-branded Fords back under one roof. The same year, the company resurrected the 351 Mustang name as a range-topping model with 700 horsepower. Business continued as usual in 2013, with Saleen unveiling two new limited edition Mustangs. The first was a collaboration with driver George Follmer, and paid tribute to his 1969 Mustang Boss 302.

The second was unveiled to commemorate Saleen's 30th anniversary, and following the tradition of previous anniversary cars, was christened the SA-30. Only 10 examples of the SA-30 Mustang were produced – there were also 10 Saleen Challengers and 10 Camaros built, totaling 30 special edition cars. Continuing its expansion into new segments, Saleen also unveiled the prototype of its Foursixteen Tesla Model S in 2014. It was the first time that Saleen had developed an EV, and marked a further shift away from the brand's traditional focus on the Mustang.