Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
Mean Saleen
To be offered exclusively on Bring a Trailer.
Vintique Motors is thrilled to present this exceptional 1989 Ford Mustang Saleen Coupe #451!
The brainchild of Steve Saleen, a professional race car driver turned tuner, he established his namesake brand in 1983 originally as Saleen Autosport and then later as Saleen Automotive. Not long after Steve was competing in the SCCA Trans Am series where he was introduced to a few Ford executives which laid the groundwork for his new venture to turn to a tried-and-true sales strategy of modifying Mustangs into race cars and using success on the track to achieve success in the showroom. His first race in a Saleen prepped Mustang was in 1984 at Sears Point in California which followed by a 1984 production run of just 3 cars. In 1986 Steve entered the SCCA Endurance Series and wont the 24 Hours of Mosport in a Saleen Mustang cementing the brands reputation for winning and building performance vehicles.
Racing success continued in 1987 with the SCCA championship and again in 1988 with a 1-2-3 finish of Saleen Mustangs at the 24 Hours of Mosport giving Ford its first 1-2-3 finish in an endurance race since the Ford GT trio did it in 1966. Racing success would continue in 1989 and through the 1990s which led to sales success in the showroom taking production Ford Mustangs and initially only modifying their suspensions, aerodynamics, and cosmetics to achieve higher performance followed shortly later by engine modifications that improved upon the platform and create desirable limited production cars that not only looked the part but performed the part as well.
Per the Deluxe Marti Report, this 1989 Saleen hatchback was finished on January 31st, 1989, one day ahead of schedule. It is factory finished in code 1C Black with code P Charcoal pin stripe over code PG Medium Gray cloth articulated sport seats and was immediately sent to Saleen Autosport to receive Saleen modifications. Factory options consist of cruise control, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, rear window defroster, interior lighting package, and 3.08 traction-lok rear axle. It was sold new at Miller Ford in Fairfield, Connecticut in May of 1989. The original owner would retain it for the next 11 years until selling it to its second owner from Rolling Meadows, Illinois in May of 2000. The second owner would retain it for the next 19 years until selling to dealer and respect Shelby and Mustang expert Colin Comer of Colin's Classic Auto in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2019. We acquired it from Colin in May of 2021 with 59,049 miles and today beautifully it presents with just 59,291 miles.
For 1989 Saleen built 895 units in which 549 were hatchback coupes. This example is build #451 of the 895 and is highly original with all original paint and interior. The only modifications consist of an aluminum radiator, Ford Performance aluminum driveshaft, BBK catalytic converters and X-pipe, Flowmaster mufflers, and a super cool pink pinstripe accentuating the factory charcoal pin stripe which was a very popular addition to cars in the early-'90s and was signed by the pinstriper simply as "Ed". The original radiator and driveshaft are included in the sale. The overall condition is outstanding with nary a paint imperfection nor interior blemish. We had our professional detailing vendor spend several hours perfecting the original factory applied paint to a mirror finish and the result is impressive 32-year-old paint.
The original interior is just as impressive as the seat material, notoriously unobtanium to find today, is in phenomenal original condition and even the notoriously broken ashtray door is working perfectly. Originally ordered with radio delete from the factory, the Pioneer Super Tuner was added at Saleen and is complete with a tape deck and equalizer. The original dash, headliner, and glass are all in superb original condition as well. This is a true time capsule that looks like 5,900-miles rather than 59,000 and it drives as nice as it looks. All the systems are working perfectly, including the air conditioning, and the sound the legendary 5.0L V8 makes through the Flowmaster exhaust is as synonymous as the sound a Ferrari V12 makes. When you hear it... you instantly know it is a 5.0 Mustang without even seeing it.
Included with the sale as mentioned is the original radiator and driveshaft in addition to the original books, manuals, keys, Deluxe Marti report, original odometer statement from the day it was sold showing it was delivered with 45 miles, original warranty ID card, and a nearly impossible to find original ESCORT radar system powered through the cigarette outlet. Do not miss this extraordinary opportunity!
Don't forget to watch the video!
Sold
1989 Ford
Mustang Saleen
Description
To be offered exclusively on Bring a Trailer.
Vintique Motors is thrilled to present this exceptional 1989 Ford Mustang Saleen Coupe #451!
The brainchild of Steve Saleen, a professional race car driver turned tuner, he established his namesake brand in 1983 originally as Saleen Autosport and then later as Saleen Automotive. Not long after Steve was competing in the SCCA Trans Am series where he was introduced to a few Ford executives which laid the groundwork for his new venture to turn to a tried-and-true sales strategy of modifying Mustangs into race cars and using success on the track to achieve success in the showroom. His first race in a Saleen prepped Mustang was in 1984 at Sears Point in California which followed by a 1984 production run of just 3 cars. In 1986 Steve entered the SCCA Endurance Series and wont the 24 Hours of Mosport in a Saleen Mustang cementing the brands reputation for winning and building performance vehicles.
Racing success continued in 1987 with the SCCA championship and again in 1988 with a 1-2-3 finish of Saleen Mustangs at the 24 Hours of Mosport giving Ford its first 1-2-3 finish in an endurance race since the Ford GT trio did it in 1966. Racing success would continue in 1989 and through the 1990s which led to sales success in the showroom taking production Ford Mustangs and initially only modifying their suspensions, aerodynamics, and cosmetics to achieve higher performance followed shortly later by engine modifications that improved upon the platform and create desirable limited production cars that not only looked the part but performed the part as well.
Per the Deluxe Marti Report, this 1989 Saleen hatchback was finished on January 31st, 1989, one day ahead of schedule. It is factory finished in code 1C Black with code P Charcoal pin stripe over code PG Medium Gray cloth articulated sport seats and was immediately sent to Saleen Autosport to receive Saleen modifications. Factory options consist of cruise control, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, rear window defroster, interior lighting package, and 3.08 traction-lok rear axle. It was sold new at Miller Ford in Fairfield, Connecticut in May of 1989. The original owner would retain it for the next 11 years until selling it to its second owner from Rolling Meadows, Illinois in May of 2000. The second owner would retain it for the next 19 years until selling to dealer and respect Shelby and Mustang expert Colin Comer of Colin's Classic Auto in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2019. We acquired it from Colin in May of 2021 with 59,049 miles and today beautifully it presents with just 59,291 miles.
For 1989 Saleen built 895 units in which 549 were hatchback coupes. This example is build #451 of the 895 and is highly original with all original paint and interior. The only modifications consist of an aluminum radiator, Ford Performance aluminum driveshaft, BBK catalytic converters and X-pipe, Flowmaster mufflers, and a super cool pink pinstripe accentuating the factory charcoal pin stripe which was a very popular addition to cars in the early-'90s and was signed by the pinstriper simply as "Ed". The original radiator and driveshaft are included in the sale. The overall condition is outstanding with nary a paint imperfection nor interior blemish. We had our professional detailing vendor spend several hours perfecting the original factory applied paint to a mirror finish and the result is impressive 32-year-old paint.
The original interior is just as impressive as the seat material, notoriously unobtanium to find today, is in phenomenal original condition and even the notoriously broken ashtray door is working perfectly. Originally ordered with radio delete from the factory, the Pioneer Super Tuner was added at Saleen and is complete with a tape deck and equalizer. The original dash, headliner, and glass are all in superb original condition as well. This is a true time capsule that looks like 5,900-miles rather than 59,000 and it drives as nice as it looks. All the systems are working perfectly, including the air conditioning, and the sound the legendary 5.0L V8 makes through the Flowmaster exhaust is as synonymous as the sound a Ferrari V12 makes. When you hear it... you instantly know it is a 5.0 Mustang without even seeing it.
Included with the sale as mentioned is the original radiator and driveshaft in addition to the original books, manuals, keys, Deluxe Marti report, original odometer statement from the day it was sold showing it was delivered with 45 miles, original warranty ID card, and a nearly impossible to find original ESCORT radar system powered through the cigarette outlet. Do not miss this extraordinary opportunity!
Don't forget to watch the video!
View More
Specs
- Year
- 1989
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Mustang Saleen
- Miles
- 59,276
- Vin
- 1FABP41E8KF194823
- Stock
- V1115
Basic
- Engine Size
- 5.0 Liter V8
- Engine Type
- Gasoline
- Transmission Type
- 5 Speed Manual
- Drivetrain
- RWD
Engine
- Body Color
- Black
- Body Style
- Coupe
- Doors
- 2
Body
- Interior Color
- Medium Gray
Interior
View More
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