Where is a certain race Saleen? (display / design study vehicle)

[ducky996r]

Originally Posted by Dave

No one currently at Saleen worked in the Irvine facility when this chassis left the grounds.

Also, as stated before. There is a greater than 50% chance, this was not a real vehicle. More like a full-size model car.

Understood that this is a display car, but what does that and no one currently working there from Irvine have to do with customer service, absolutely nothing. If they don't know, return a call and say so, or if they may have info,call and say so, and if they are still looking into it, call and say so. Its as simple as that.

Originally Posted by psi365

Did 281 Motorsports have anything for you?

I haven't called them, reason being on there facebook page, they too stated that they were wondering where it was at as well. I may just do that though, as it never hurts to call. or does it. lol

[ricksaleen]

I believe it was at the last factory show, so someone knows where it is. You may want to go to the next show with check in hand.

[Jim D.]

The car at Saleen now is a different car.

The car in question, I know someone who may know.

[ricksaleen]

Thanks Jim, I thought it was the same car, but I was wrong. I am sure the car in question is somewhere .

[Ericc B]

I have dug up 2 pictures from my archive that show this particular display car which I believe was indeed just a rolling chassis without engine or drivetrain. Interesting tidbit is that apparently the left side was not stickered at all, as you can see in the second picture:

[ducky996r]

Very cool and thanks for the pics. I had a few more leads as to who to contact about this car. But know one has returned any phone calls. Still searching....

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by 88-0313

The 98 Tim Allen car is sitting in my dads shop, it came from PAS in 05

Ohhhh, if you ever decide to let it go, please let me know. I want in on the dibs!

Originally Posted by cobra427

Here are the street cars that Saleen built.

Do you happen to know how many cars Saleen built? Were these the only two? I have seen the coupe in person, and have some decent quality pics.

[88-0313]

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

Ohhhh, if you ever decide to let it go, please let me know. I want in on the dibs!

This car is now in AR, was sold last year.

[Ericc B]

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

Do you happen to know how many cars Saleen built? Were these the only two? I have seen the coupe in person, and have some decent quality pics.

They built 3 street cars in total, one 96 which has sortof dropped from the radar after last having been spotted in dreary condition quite some time ago and then there are the 2 99's as depicted below which are both owned by cobra 427.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by 88-0313

This car is now in AR, was sold last year.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it go for?

[88-0313]

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it go for?

The 98 race car was awarded to my mom in her divorce. She traded the race car straight across for a 1994 S351 supercharged car with 10500 miles, and a 1996 Saleen Cobra speedster with 8600 miles. We then traded the 94 for a 88 Saleen, no cash has been exchanged to this point.

[ricksaleen]

There is also a 94' S351 coupe as well. It is still here in Colorado in a private collection.

[Ericc B]

Originally Posted by ricksaleen

There is also a 94' S351 coupe as well. It is still here in Colorado in a private collection.

I always had my doubts if Saleen actually did the graphics on that car. My guess would be it was done by a private enthusiast. Its overall design mimics the race cars relatively well, but the horse graphic along the sides is just completely off.

Just compare this:



To this:



Also even though the car is actually displayed in the Saleen book the race graphics are not mentioned with the specifications, whereas those on the 96 and both Gary's 99's actually are.

[Barricade]

I also snagged a 1/24th scale of #5....



I love the art on these.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by Ericc B

I always had my doubts if Saleen actually did the graphics on that car. My guess would be it was done by a private enthusiast. Its overall design mimics the race cars relatively well, but the horse graphic along the sides is just completely off.

Just compare this:



To this:



Also even though the car is actually displayed in the Saleen book the race graphics are not mentioned with the specifications, whereas those on the 96 and both Gary's 99's actually are.

Yeah, the purple is way too thick on that car. Funny though, at first it looked like a radio controlled car or model.

Originally Posted by Barricade

I also snagged a 1/24th scale of #5....



I love the art on these.

How cool!

[ricksaleen]

They are different, yes, but you are comparing an early 94' to a later 97-98'. My understanding in speaking to owners along the way, the car came this way. Saleen did change the horse along the way yo make it meaner. You have to be careful as The Saleen Book does not always have 100% accurate info. In fact Saleen's own records are not always 100% accurate either. It should be used as a great start, but tracking owner paperwork is still required. BTW cool, you found that pic as I took it many years ago at Red a Rocks here in a Colorado. :)

[Dave]

More images.

[adam dawson]

i dont see how it would have came that way from saleen. the earliest pictures of the saleen race cars have it the normal way. the wing is way later (the bends are all off too) and didnt exist in 94. no heat extractor hood for the graphics to go into, team budget decals etc etc.

[Ericc B]

Originally Posted by ricksaleen

BTW cool, you found that pic as I took it many years ago at Red a Rocks here in a Colorado. :)

You took those pictures by the rocks? How cool is that!

Still I tend to agree with Adam, I really doubt the horse graphic was done by Saleen themselves. The graphic was first introduced in 1995 and has been exactly the same since the very first time they rollled out the first 2 RRR race cars at the season opener SCCA race in May '95 at Phoenix International.

Maybe someone who is still in contact with Phil Frank can ask him if he knows about it? It would seem rather likely that he is actually the designer of this livery.

Nevertheless I'd say credits for the first street car being done up to resemble the race livery definitely go to this 94.

[cobra427]

I own both of the 99 Tim Allen cars. It took me 11 years to track down the Pace Car. I like the radio control cars, I have a few of them too. I'll buy anything Saleen with a horse on the side.

Gary

[tennesseemustangperformance]

Originally Posted by cobra427

I own both of the 99 Tim Allen cars. It took me 11 years to track down the Pace Car. I like the radio control cars, I have a few of them too. I'll buy anything Saleen with a horse on the side.

Gary

Will you make a thread with some nice pics of your cars? I love both of them, but especially the coupe!
By the way, I have some photos of them at an MCA show from a few years back. Can't remember if it was the GCRMC show in Pensacola or the MCA Augusta Grand Nationals... thinking it was in Augusta.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by tennesseemustangperformance

Will you make a thread with some nice pics of your cars? I love both of them, but especially the coupe!
By the way, I have some photos of them at an MCA show from a few years back. Can't remember if it was the GCRMC show in Pensacola or the MCA Augusta Grand Nationals... thinking it was in Augusta.

This is our thread for the New Edge race paint street cars.
http://saleenforums.soec.org/showthread.php?t=11746

[Dave]

I will put this post in the correct ongoing thread... when I find it.

A friend of mine that restores high dollar Maseratis, rare Cadillacs and the occasional hot-rod ended up with this in a trade. It's purported to be one of three bodies that Saleen made for a project they did with Tim Allen. It's draped over a chromemolly tubular frame/cage that doesn't look like it will pass tech anywhere but a drag strip. I know the guy who did the cage, and he's a great fabricator, and knows how to weld chromemolly properly, but he doesn't know much about cage or chassis design. It was originally being built for illegal street drag racing.

Back to the body. It's all carbon fiber and is fairly lightweight, but not as light as modern racecar carbon bodies. The doors are SN95 doors with the flares fastened to them.

We're at a loss about what to use it for. Neither of us race in a series where this thing could be useful. Any thoughts? First picture is the project car. Second pic is Tim Allen's Saleen that uses the same body.

http://www.corner-carvers.com/

[Dave]

More photos.

[Dave]

This thread.

[psi365]

Tennesseemustangperformance 88-0313's mom's old car is now at PAS and for sale fyi.

[ducky996r]

Mother of pearl. 4 years old though. Dang it!! Its the never ending bread crumb trail

[Dave]

Originally Posted by ducky996r

Mother of pearl. 4 years old though. Dang it!! Its the never ending bread crumb trail

I wonder if the above body kit is missing the header panel for mounting headlamps?

It does appear the above fenders have a similar straight edge for lamp covers (like the painted display car).

If we look at Wide Body Lemans cars and whatnot, they have normal Mustang lighting assemblies.

This body kit could make an interesting project for a donor 1996-98 S281 or abused S351 chassis. With heaps of work and fitment.

[Brokn Nx]

I love the intended purpose of the chassis, as stated by those roadracers.

Illegal Street Drag Racing. LOL!

I bet nobody here has ever done something like that.

[ducky996r]

Originally Posted by Dave

I wonder if the above body kit is missing the header panel for mounting headlamps?

It does appear the above fenders have a similar straight edge for lamp covers (like the painted display car).

If we look at Wide Body Lemans cars and whatnot, they have normal Mustang lighting assemblies.

This body kit could make an interesting project for a donor 1996-98 S281 or abused S351 chassis. With heaps of work and fitment.

Luckily for me, I come from a back ground in body work. Family ran body shop for the past 30 years and also worked in the aviation field for 6 years. Carbon fiber and fabrication work are no problem. Its just finding a kit or this said display car.

[ducky996r]

just noticed it looks like there is a set of spare quarter panels as well in some of the pics.

[Dave]

This one moves under its own power.

[1989_402]

88-0313 That is one Awesome car collection.....Top 5 cars in one garage

[amorrow]

Does anyone have pictures of the pushrod IRS and front suspension set ups used in the GT2 racecars? Would love to see good pictures of the layout.

[2002-168]

This thread won't die - while looking for pictures of the old Saleen Burbank facility - I came across this article about the Irvine plant and teh pictures have a picture of the display car that originated this thread

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/a...d-in/#image-33

[amorrow]

It's surprising how little info is out there on these cars...they really were my dream cars back when I was in my mid teens. I knew they had IRS but never realized the pushrod setup with inboard shocks until I saw a pic recently. I can't find any others, and that just makes me want more info. Was the diff casting, hub units and all unique pieces or sourced from something else? Also curious to see the front spindles and control arms used. Have found oics of the lowered shock mounts but don't see any showing any more detail.

[Dave]

The IRS was a Ford unit that Saleen tested for them. This "may" have come from the John Colletti (SVE) relationship.

[Greg Wackett]

probably Steve did a lot of work with them

[OxfordS281]

Originally Posted by Dave

I will put this post in the correct ongoing thread... when I find it.

http://www.corner-carvers.com/

Well this is interesting.