Vehicle Description
One of the biggest names in hot rod Mustangs is Saleen Automobiles.
By offering high performance, turnkey sports cars, the company has
transitioned from a garage bay tuner to a highly respected,
OEM-level manufacturer. As one of only 137 Saleen convertibles
produced for the 1988 model year, Saleen #88-516 is a fine example
of the firm's focus and exclusivity. Fully documented, outfitted
with one of the most cohesive performance packages the '80s had to
offer, and sporting a mere 14,216 miles, this Saleen is quite
possibly the premier car of its era. If you're a savvy collector
looking for a future collectible that's fun to drive and cool to
show, there's no time like the present!
RACING BEGINS WITH AERODYNAMICS
At his core, Steve Saleen is a racer. That's probably why he was
one of the first aftermarket tuners to apply major aerodynamic
principles to factory production cars. Finished in silky Black, and
striped in tri-tone Grey, #88-516 incorporates every trick Saleen
knew right into its boxed body. Originally delivered to Courtesy
Ford in Littleton, Colorado, this blue oval bombshell has been
pampered and loved since the day it was new. And the car's great
fit and finish is, no doubt, thanks to the largely hand-built
nature of Saleen's custom add-ons. Those features begin with a
numbered Saleen Autosport valance, which balances large headlights
at the sides of a petite, "Ford" branded grille. At the sides of
the car, Saleen Autosport rockers reflect painted mirrors and small
door handles. Above those handles, an original top shades an
original Saleen windshield banner. And at the back of the car, a
small Saleen emblem joins an original Courtesy Ford badge to split
the difference between a Saleen Autosport wing and a second Saleen
Autosport valance.
ALL FORD
The Mustang has long been the champion of budget performance, and
much of that has to do with the rock-solid engines Ford bolts
between the car's fenders. Pop the hood and you'll find a venerable
5.0 liter Windsor block that twists a stout 225 horsepower into an
even 300 lb./ft. of torque. While this mill made its first
appearance in the budget-minded Fairlane, it eventually became a
trusted ally on the highway, drag strip and road course. That bodes
well for the buyer of this exclusive Saleen, since all the engine's
mostly-original components can be easily repaired if needed.
'Mostly-original' is the key phrase there, as almost everything
aside from the car's tubular headers is just as the factory left
it. The clean, Saleen-tagged engine bay still sports original Ford
Black paint under a sturdy Saleen strut brace. And, with just over
14K miles on the clock, the spry mill is ripe for decades of casual
cruising!
RACECRAFT ROOTS
For the 1988 model year, most of Saleen's track-focused magic was
applied to the Mustang's curve-carving chassis. The hot five-oh
funnels grunt to a tough Borg Warner T5 5-speed, which appropriates
power to a Ford 8.8-inch axle. That axle spins an optional,
Saleen-installed posi around Saleen-installed, 3.55 gears. That
drivetrain pushes a heavily upgraded suspension, which mixes
specific-rate coils with Monroe Formula GP shocks and a Monroe
Formula GP axle damper. Opposite that clip, two more specific-rate
coils join Saleen strut bearings, urethane sway bar bushings and
Monroe Formula GP struts. Stops are quick and easy thanks to
Saleen-installed SVO discs. Naturally, power rack-and-pinion
steering is present and accounted for. A factory exhaust system
breathes through original, "Ford" stamped mufflers. And a Saleen
high performance alignment is the perfect complement to attractive
Saleen/American Racing alloys and 225/50ZR16 BF Goodrich g-Force
Sports.
WHEN BETTER BECOMES BEST
Inside this Mustang, a clean cockpit traces red-trimmed Saleen
Flofit sport seats that feature full lumbar adjustment for the
car's front passengers. In front of those thrones, a 2-tone dash
hangs a small Saleen Mustang badge and bright Steve Saleen
signature opposite a 170 MPH Saleen speedo and an electronic Saleen
tach. Beneath that dash, a factory console tilts a Saleen-installed
Hurst shifter behind a serialized Saleen plaque and
Saleen-installed Pioneer audio. Soft carpet floats color-keyed
floor mats between Saleen-themed side panels, which plant power
windows and power door locks amid Saleen-installed speakers. In
front of the driver, a Leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, yes -
bolted up by Saleen, laps a factory tilt column. And behind the
passengers, a tight convertible cowl fronts a deep trunk.
PROVENANCE
According to Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works, this dashing drop-top
was assembled in Dearborn, Michigan on April 8th, 1988. Here's a
thorough breakdown of the car's Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report:
DOOR DATA:
SERIAL NUMBER: 1FABP44E3JF241671
1FA - Ford Motor Company, USA Car
B - Active seat belts
P44 - Mustang LX 2-door convertible
E - 5.0 liter High Output V8 that's equipped with Electronic Fuel
Injection
3 - Check Digit
J - 1988 model year
F - Built in Dearborn, Michigan
241671 - Serial number of this Ford scheduled for production at
Dearborn
04/88 - Built in April of 1988
1C - Black
76 - Denver Ordering District
66B - Mustang LX 2-door convertible
A - Black convertible top
XXX - Black bodyside molding
FG - Medium Grey cloth bucket seats
Y - Radio delete
Z - Traction-Lok rear axle with 3.08 gears
2 - 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:
Saleen Mustang
License plate bracket
Optional axle ratio
Traction-Lok rear axle
P225/60VR15 Black sidewall radials
Tilt steering wheel
Manual air conditioner
Radio delete
Power windows
Black convertible top
Visibility Light Group
Power Lock Group
5-speed manual transmission with overdrive
VEHICLE SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND
ACCESSORIES
The car's original Ford Owner's Guide
Accessory literature from both Ford and Saleen
The car's original Ford OwnerCard
Miscellaneous service records
A Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
A Saleen production breakdown
A personalized plate from Arizona
Limited production, excellent condition and a lifetime of
documentation. That's the perfect recipe for solid value and big
gains. With only 14,216 miles of road time, this Ford is a
fantastic piece of Mustang and Saleen history. Show it, enjoy it,
pamper it, but don't ever forget that the man who built it is all
about speed!
SUMMARY
Fully documented, unmodified survivor that's traveled only 14,216
miles
1 of only 137 Saleen convertibles produced for the 1988 model
year
5.0 liter Ford Windsor V8 / Borg Warner T5 5-speed manual
transmission
Ford 8.8-inch rear axle / Optional Traction-Lok posi-traction
differential / Optional 3.55 gears
Saleen-tuned suspension / 16-inch Saleen/American Racing wheels
Saleen-installed SVO 4-wheel power disc brakes / Power
rack-and-pinion steering
Saleen Autosport body modifications / Black vinyl top
Saleen-modified interior / Saleen-installed Pioneer audio
system
Factory air conditioning
Sale includes: The car's original Ford OwnerCard / Service records
/ A Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
