1999: Saleen Mustang
Saleen unveils the 1999 Saleen Mustang S281 and S351 at Planet Hollywood, featuring dynamic new design, lower cost and higher level of performance. This year the S281 SC model is born.
1999: Saleen Mustang S281
Saleen unveils the 1999 Saleen Mustang S281 and S351 at Planet Hollywood, featuring dynamic new design, lower cost and higher level of performance
1999: “Project Molly”
Steve begins work on “Project Molly” the code name for the S7.
1998: Saleen Explorer XP8
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.
1998: Saleen Mustang
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.
1998: SCCA World Challenge
Saleen Mustangs dominate the season and capture the 1998 T1 SCCA Manufacturers Championship. Saleen drivers also achieve multiple first place wins, fastest laps, pole positions, and lap leaders.
1998: Saleen celebrates 15 Years
1997: 24 Hours of Le Mans
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.
1997: Saleen Contour Concept
Saleen creates the Saleen Contour concept.
1997: Partnership with McDonald’s
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.
1996: SCCA World Challenge
In addition to multiple first place wins, fastest laps, pole positions, and lap leaders, Saleen mustangs capture the 1996 S2 SCCA Manufacturers Championship.
1996: Mustang Hall of Fame
At the 1996 Annual Board of Directors induction dinner, Steve Saleen is inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame along with Carroll Shelby.
1996: Saleen Mustang
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.
1995: Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab
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.
1994: 480 HP Saleen SR
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.
1993: Saleen SA-10
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.
1993: Next generation Mustangs
Work begins on the next generation of Saleen Mustangs
1993: Return to SCCA Competition
Steve Saleen returns to SCCA competition with a prototype supercharged Saleen Mustang in the World Challenge series.
1991: SCCA Truck Guard Shellzone Challenge
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 […]
1990: Trans-Am Series
Steve Saleen switches back to Trans-Am series with a Saleen Mustang backed by General Tire.
1989: Saleen Mustang
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.
1989: Saleen SSC
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.
1989: PPG Indy Car World Series
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 […]
1988: SCCA Escort Endurance Championship
On August 13, 1988, running a three-car Saleen team; Steve Saleen and his teammates finish 1-2-3 at 24 Hours of Mosport and gives Ford its first 1-2-3 finish since LeMans in the late ’60s. Saleen also enters a General Tire backed, Ford Ranger-based, Saleen Sportruck in the SCCA Coors Race Truck Challenge, captures two wins.
1988: Saleen Sport Truck
Coming out of the 1987 Race Truck Challenge, Saleen begins offering a Sportruck. Powered by a 6-cyl. 2.9L motor, the Sportruck offers the full Saleen package from performance to styling.
