Vehicle Description
Will Saleen Mustangs become the Shelbys of the 1980s? We wouldn't
bet against them, particularly when cars like this 1988 Ford
Mustang Saleen Mustang convertible remain eminently affordable when
you consider the pedigree and popularity that comes with a droptop
Saleen Foxbody. Prices can only keep going up from here, right?
(Hint: Yes!)
Saleen was always quick to point out that they were not a mere
"tuner" but rather a small-volume manufacturer, and in terms of
collectability, that makes a world of difference. It means that
this low-mileage, uber-rare Saleen (Only 137 Saleen convertibles
were made this year) has a Saleen VIN and serial number, ensuring
its exclusivity. And while Saleen would sell their parts to the
average Mustang owner, having one with that all-important serial
number ahead of the driver's headlight means the world to
enthusiasts. With just 50,286 original miles, it's one of the more
untouched Saleen's we've ever featured and it shows a lifetime of
expert and careful maintenance. The Saleen body kit is stylish yet
restrained, save for the massive rear wing which was the car's most
distinctive feature. The white paint is in good condition overall,
and you can't even tell where the Saleen parts were added and the
factory paint ends, which is a testament to the care with which
these cars were built (they were roughly twice as expensive as
standard Mustangs). Sure, there a few signs of use and age here and
there, but nothing makes an entrance quite like a convertible
Saleen, and we doubt the open-jawed gawkers will even have a chance
to notice. The distinctive Saleen graphics package highlights the
rockers and it still carries its Ford-applied pinstripe along the
flanks, too. All of it remains in original, survivor-grade shape,
making this an excellent choice for future appreciation.
Befitting the $25k original sticker price (that's assuming the
original owner didn't pay over MSRP, which happened a lot back then
due to demand), Saleen interiors had sporty and luxurious interiors
that were unrivaled in American sports cars in the '80s. Special
two-tone buckets were wrapped in gray vinyl that's both grippy and
smooth, along with those unmistakable open headrests just above.
The original rear seat was finished to match, as were the door
panels that include 'Saleen Mustang' scripted inside. Other Saleen
touches include a MOMO steering wheel, 170 MPH speedometer (the
original went to 85, which was pretty lame), and original Saleen
floor mats to protect the plush carpets below. All the other Ford
options were standard, too, including A/C, power windows and locks,
power mirrors, and a power folding top that stows under a matching
gray boot. The only deviation from stock is an upgraded Kenwood
AM/FM/CD player, although the upgrade is welcomed over the Saleen
issued Pioneer unit. As you'd expect, everything is in very good
condition with only minor signs of use, which is typical of
low-mileage Foxbody Mustangs. Even the trunk looks barely
unused!
Ford's venerable 5.0 liter V8 was left pretty much factory-stock,
but when you're the king of the streets already, there's not much
point to changing the successful formula. Saleen included a special
engine calibration as part of their upgrades, yet the car is docile
enough to be a daily driver With the Racecraft suspension, the
Saleen could still run circles around anything this side of a
Porsche 911, and with the oversized SC throttle body, it has
right-now throttle response. Saleen added a strut-tower brace,
subframe connectors, and a front-cradle brace to stiffen the
convertible's chassis in a very noticeable way, which makes the
upgraded suspension all the more effective. They also remedied the
Fox Mustang's biggest liability with proper 4-wheel disc brakes and
5-lug hubs, which make a huge difference in the way this car feels
on the road. Drive this back-to-back with any other Fox Mustang and
they don't even feel like the same kind of car. This droptop is
fitted with arguably the most handsome wheels ever created: the
Saleen Autosport/American Racing mesh alloy wheels, which are
color-matched and wearing 225/50/16 Michelin Pilot rubber.
Well-maintained and beautifully preserved, this low-mileage Oxford
White droptop comes documented with a copy of its original window
sticker and original owner's manual, and is primed and ready to
continue to shoot up in value. It's over 32 years old now, and the
new generation of collector's view the Saleen droptop as one of the
top Mustangs ever made, and in our opinion, it's about darn time.
Call today!