IMPROVING THE BREED SINCE 1984
Saleen unveils the 1999 Saleen Mustang S281 and S351 at Planet Hollywood, featuring dynamic new design, lower cost and higher level of performance
Steve begins work on “Project Molly” the code name for the S7.
Saleen celebrates its 15 year anniversary with the Saleen SA15 Mustang. This was a special edition model that was offered in addition to the standard Saleen Mustang lineup.
Saleen debuts the Saleen Explorer XP and XP8 models. Offered with an optional Supercharger, the Saleen XP8 had unmatched styling, horsepower, and handling in the SUV market.
Steve Saleen and the Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab compete at the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the Mustang’s first return in over 30 years. This year Saleen also clinches the SCCA Manufacturers Championship title for the third time.
Saleen creates the Saleen Contour concept.
Steve becomes a household name when fast food franchise McDonald’s selects the Saleen Mustang as the one of the premier prizes for their popular Big Win Monopoly Promotion.
At the 1996 Annual Board of Directors induction dinner, Steve Saleen is inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame along with Carroll Shelby.
The Saleen S281 model is introduced. Offered along side the existing Saleen model lineup, the S281 is available in both a convertible (speedster) and coupe option. Steve partners with Budget Rent-a-Car to build special Saleen Mustangs for their fleet.
Steve Saleen and actor Tim Allen form the Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab. Taking the 1995 win at Sears Point in the SCCA World Challenge series sets the team up for for a manufacturers championship the following year. This is also the year the Saleen/Allen Speedlab began campaigning the famous “Blazing Horse” insignia.
With a new generation of mustangs, Saleen introduces his most impressive product lineup to date including the 351 c.i.d. powered S351, and the 480 horsepower Saleen SR. The was a special edition model that was offered in addition to the standard Saleen Mustang lineup.
Saleen celebrates its’ 10 year anniversary with the Saleen SA-10 Mustang. The SA-10 is a special edition that was offered to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Saleen Automobiles. All examples produced received sequential VIN numbers as well as SA-10 specific options.
Work begins on the next generation of Saleen Mustangs
Steve Saleen returns to SCCA competition with a prototype supercharged Saleen Mustang in the World Challenge series.
Steve wins the SCCA Race Truck championship with five victories in six races which moves him into a tie for the most victories in the series (49 wins!), and provides Ford Motor Company with the manufacturer’s championship. Steve continues to campaign Trans Am series with Saleen Scorcher Mustang and sponsorship from Champion Batteries, secures three top ten finishes
Steve Saleen switches back to Trans-Am series with a Saleen Mustang backed by General Tire.
Saleen celebrates its 5-year anniversary with the Saleen SSC Mustang. This was a special edition model that was offered in addition to the standard Saleen Mustang lineup.
Steve enters the PPG Indy Car World Series with a team backed by Montgomery Ward. The vehicle he drove was a 1977 March indy car. Steve Saleen was the fastest rookie to go through orientation. He finished 13th at Long Beach Grand Prix, and 12th at the Toronto Grand Prix. Steve Saleen continued his winning campaigns in both mustangs and trucks.
Steve builds the Saleen SSC, the most powerful Mustang built to date. The SSC boasted 300 HP! In this year Steve begins using his trademark chevrons.
Saleen Autosport moves to Anaheim, CA and begins production on the 1988 Saleen Mustang. This year Saleen also begins using its “Championship Wreath” to signify its’ winning pedigree.
Advancing from the 1986 Race Season, Saleen introduces the 1987 Saleen Mustang.
The ad is for Monroe shocks with the tagline “Monroe helped Steve Saleen handle some wild horses.”
On October 10, 1986, Saleen Autosport enters SCCA series with a race prepared version of the Saleen Mustang, and wins grueling 24 Hours of Mosport with sponsorship from General Tire. Drivers: Steve Saleen, Rick Titus and Lisa Caceras were joined by IMSA drivers Skeeter McKitterick and Tom Winters, along with F1 and Indy car driver, Desire’ Wilson. Giving Ford Motor Company the “first” ever in a Showroom Stock Endurance Championship Series; The Saleen GT team WINS grueling 24 Hours of Mosport with sponsorship from General Tire and ESCORT.
Saleen Autosport releases the 1985 Saleen Mustang, featuring all new aerodynamics, suspension, tires, wheels, and interior. In 1985, Steve Saleen’s secretary miscounted the vehicles produced that year, omitting vehicle number 6. Since 1985, Saleen has had the tradition of not issuing the #6 bumper number on any of its vehicles. The single race for 1985 was at his home track at Riverside International Raceway, California where he had won his first race twelve years earlier. This time though, he was competing in a prototype from his company, a black Saleen Mustang race car with two gold stripes.
Steve continues to compete in selected SCCA Trans-AM races. This is where Steve is introduced to several Ford Motor Company executives.
Steve Saleen forms Saleen Autosport from his dinner table at his home in Santa Rosa, CA.
In 1982 Steve returned to closed wheel racing in the SCCA Trans Am Series, where he campaigned a Pontiac Trans Am for Pontiac Motor Car Company. He set a number of track records during the season, though he was never able to win a race, due mechanical failures at each event. His season efforts contributed to the team’s ultimate win of the championship.
Steve runs the complete Pro Formula Atlantic series in a Ralt RT1 where he sets several track records, and leads the championship up until the last race, where he finished 3rd, only 3 points away from 1st place.
Steve Saleen entered the Pro Atlantic series and raced against the likes of Gilles Villenue, Bobby Rahall, Keke Rosberg, and Danny Sullivan.
In Formula Atlantic Steve set thirteen new track records in his region and won the Pacific Coast Championship.
Steve Saleen starts racing Formula Atlantic, in a March 76B. Steve Saleen won the Southern California championship and also set numerous track records. Due to his ability and speed on the track, Steve earns the new nickname of “GAS-SALEEN”.
In 1975 Steve switched from closed wheel to open wheel series and joined the Super Vee Series, in a Tui AM29. Steve picks up the name “Kid Saleen” from the movie Cat Ballou starring Lee Marvin.
Steve was the runner up in the Southern California B Production Championship with his second generation metallic blue over white Fastback Mustang. He began his professional competition career as well.
Steve forgets he has 1200lbs of dog food in his Mustang and blows the clutch drag racing an El Camino onto the Glendale freeway!
August 19th, 1973: Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California. Steve Saleen enters his first sports car race with his Ford Mustang and wins!
Steve’s passion for Mustangs is unwavered as he purchases another Shelby GT350 for $300 and tows it to the same spot where he wrecked his last Mustang for its inaugural drive.
On July 6th, 1971, Steve learns that racing is for the track when he drives his Shelby GT350 off a cliff in Turnbull Canyon in Whittier, California. Steve spends months recovering from his injuries.
Steve continues to hone his driving skills.
Steve once again repaints his car to Candy Apple Red with gold stripes.