Vehicle Description
2005 Mustang Saleen S281 SC Convertible
Since 1984 Steve Saleen has worked his special blend of magic and
engineering on the Ford Mustang transforming it into a machine of
the utmost importance. His passion for the Mustang goes back almost
30 years after winning his first SCCA race in a Shelby Mustang in
1975. Steve turned this passion into a profession and quickly
progressed to the formula Atlantic and Trans Am racing series. His
experience in road racing prompted the birth of the first Saleen
Mustang in 1984. Teamed with former legendary Mustang drivers
Parnelli Jones and George Fullmer along with future in the car
racers Scott Pruett this first generation of Saleen Mustang
dominated the SCCA and went on to win the 1987 manufacturers
championship
In 2002 the world's most powerful production Mustang was
introduced: the roaring 445hp S281 Extreme. In 2003, the Saleen
celebrated its 20th anniversary and entered the world of Hollywood,
with features in Bruce Almighty, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Hollywood
Homicide. It's star would continue to shine in 2005 by being
featured in 50 Cent's music video "Candy Shop". During these years
Saleen continued to innovate and improve production numbers.
For consignment, a high-end Mustang for enthusiasts who were
offered 3 different models this year from the Saleen Studios...we
present car number 1030 and one of 79 S281 SC convertibles packing
a 400 horsepower supercharged Ford V8 in factory trim. If the
numbers above aren't enough to get your blood racing, according to
our consignor this car is 1 of 2 built in this color combination
with these exact options. This example sports a fully blacked out
body with matching new top in black...very menacing indeed!
Exterior
With air dams, side rocker panel flares, a molded front spoiler,
unique rear filler panel, and a rear spoiler this car is all bathed
in deep dark Black and sports silver and white decal accenting.
Also in sinister black is a pristine condition new black canvas
convertible top which folds neatly into the rear trunk area and
makes way for a black styline bar. For the rear more integrated
aero bumper body matching and dual exhaust peeking out from the
bottom through the bumpers. SALEEN decals in a white to silver fade
adorn the rear bumper and let the competition know who's in charge.
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, but distinctly Saleen design, which is a separate company
from the Ford blue oval. More Saleen decals adorn the bottoms of
the doors and Saleen S281 Supercharged badges are attached to each
front fender. Rounding out this late model powerhouse are 20"
polished Saleen 7 spoke wheels wrapped with low profile rubber. We
must note that the windshield is tinted and may be against
regulations in some states and there are some slight paint cranks
at the bottom of the front bumper cover.
Interior
A nice mixture of molded texture plastic and black perforated vinyl
give the backing for the power window controls, power lock controls
and down low a huge 3D branded speaker. These panels guide you into
single high-backed buckets wrapped in Dark Charcoal leather with a
stitched embroidered Saleen logo in each back of the seats along
with a spine like insert in the center of the seats and halo style
headrest with the obligatory mesh netting inside. 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 looks barely sat in. A central console houses a glovebox, some
cup holders and the MGW chrome ball topped shift lever, then rises
to meet the dash front which has dual eyebrow visors for the dash
top. These frame the white-faced Saleen badged gauges on the
driver's side, and the glovebox on the passenger's side topped
above by a smooth faux aluminum panel with chrome bezel round air
vents. Of special note above the glove box is a faded Steve Saleen
signature and badge denoting this car as number 1030. In the center
of the dash is a mounted gauge pod with indigo backlighting to
monitor boost pressure, fuel pressure and H20 temp. Also seen in
the center is a Shaker 500 AM/FM/CD changer and chrome knobs for
the temperature controls. Framing this all below is clean black
carpeting with S281 carpeted mats.
Drivetrain
For its healthy heart, this car now has, courtesy of Steve Saleen a
supercharged 4.6-liter 3V V8 that used to produce 400hp but thanks
in part to the folks at Vector Performance now makes a consignor
stated 500hp. A supercharger is bolted on the top and has a smaller
pulley to create more boost for this hungry mill. Ford Racing
injectors are now on to handle the extra fuel needed and this all
works together to throw power rearward to a Tremec 3650 5-speed
manual transmission with a new performance clutch. Out back
handling all the horses is a Ford 8.8" rear axle weighing in with a
3.55 ratio and equipped with Trac-Lok. The engine bay is very
nicely detailed, and a huge shout out to the Canton coolant
overflow reservoir, power steering reservoir and oil catch cans all
in aluminum and all looking fab. A custom battery cover and power
brake cover has been added to keep things looking clean.
Undercarriage
Nice and clean and surface rust on some usual suspects like the
driveshaft, rear pumpkin, and on some suspension parts, but nothing
remarkable. Floor pans are rust free and are like new. Suspension
includes independent coil overs for the front and a 3-link system
with coil springs and a panhard bar for the back. RaceCraft struts,
shocks, coil springs and front sway bar add up to rail-like
handling. Power disc brakes, upgraded with Powerstop drilled and
slotted rotors all around help slow the car for the ultimate
cornering. Kooks headers feed spent fossils into high flow
catalytic converters, X-pipe and Magnaflow mufflers. We do see on
the driver's muffler, some burn through from welding of a hanger
bracket. Otherwise, all looking good and super racy down here.
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 and 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, and the car is a great cruiser too,
when you are not muscling it around the back roads.
An extremely rare example from the new millennium, beefed up by the
Saleen Company with supercharging, EFI and some snappy handling add
ons then taken to the next level by our high performance minded
consignor. The convertible gives the car a great look when the top
is down and being all black with the silver and white 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.
"Power In the Hands Of A Few" indeed!
VIN DECODE
1ZVFT85H155177436
1ZV-Automotive Alliance Ford Motor Company Passenger Car
F-Manual Belts, Front & Side Airbags
T85-GT Convertible
H-4.6L 3V V8 300hp
1-Check Digit
5-2005
5-AAI: Flat Rock, MI Assy Plant
177436-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This ve...for more information please contact the seller.