Vehicle Description
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 choicesfor 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 thisyear 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.
