1989 Mustang Salesmen SSC recommendations

[PxTx]

I work with a nice guy who owned a bunch of 5.0 Mustangs in his youth. He asked me to look at A SALEEN.

Can anyone advise on things worth inspecting or a good forum to learn? Any thoughts or advice on future collectibility?

[Pulnaway]

www.performanceautosport.com (http://www.performanceautosport.com) The owner is mark lamaskin. if you have any questions about these cars he is the one to talk with.

[Charley Lillard]

I have a 91 SAAC Mustang if he wants something fast.

[C1SS396]

The true saleen built fox body 5.0s were numbered (number was on bumper under driverside headlight for all to see) plus a few other tell tale signs I believe they Saleen had recorders of the cars they built (try contacting them with number or vin # . But their were a ton of clones in Philly area streetracing scene back in the day sticker kits were cheap. Latter cars were the same way I believe .

[flyingn]

I have a buddy who bought an 89 SSC new and he loved it. No back seat, roll bar and all. Cool and rare car..

http://www.mustangblog.com/blog/1017357_ebay-rare-1989-saleen-ssc-fox-body-mustang

http://www.performanceautosport.com/detail.asp?car=5777

[tom406]

Try here:

http://www.soec.org/index.html

If I'm not mistaken, they have access to records to verify serial numbers, trim/colors, and original options. Maybe even keep anecdotal history like SAAC somewhere.

I think these have good (but by no means guaranteed) collectibility potential for the future, since Saleen is (was) a manufacturer and not just a tuner shop. For a generation into 5.0's, these were a high water mark, much like the '93 Cobra.

[PxTx]

Thanks guys. That is what I was looking to hear. Seems like good examples of these SSC can he hard for at or just under 20k. Charlie, I trust your SAAS Mustang is above this threshold, which is really the limit for my friend.

Fortunately, the one we are looking at is local, so there is no shipping and a PO did install a Paxton which my friend is nostalgic for.

I agree, they seem to have all of the right parts for future appreciation. 1st year Saleen did engine mods to increase HP and only 161 SSC made. Factory Roll Bar so the cars actual have held up structurally better than the regular 5.0 and Saleens. Saleen 4 wheel dsic with 5 lug conversion. The other side is that Steve Saleen actually was involved with the early development unlike the later years (post 2007) where he sold the company. 2011 is the last year Saleen will be modifying cars. They are now just focused on after-market parts. No guarantee like Tom said, but the 5.0 cars were arguably the most popular "Muscle Car" of the late 1980's and early 90's and the Saleen pedigree seems to be the 1980's equivalent of our favorite name tunes of the 1960's.

I see appreciation in their future. Anyone care to play devil's advocate with me?

General SSC pic for clicks

http://www.themustangsource.com/timeline/87-93/89/89SaleenSSCMarkLaMaskin.jpg

[firstgenaddict]

Damn I remember those like it was yesterday... NICE

[old5.0]

Inspect the underside of the car carefully. Look for cracks in the floorpan, particularly around the front seat mounts. The floors are reinforced, but it is still an issue. Also look for cracks in the torque boxes. This will give you an indication of how the car has been used.

Foxes tend to rust first in places you can't even see, mainly in the cowl and the forward hinge pillars behind the fenders. A detailed owner history showing that the car has been well maintained and garaged would be preferable.

As far as collectibility,well... If any of these old pieces of junk will ever be collectible, it will probably be the Saleens and others like them. Of course, I'd love see all of them become collectible, but I'm a little biased.

Charley's SAAC sounds very tempting, but there's a particular SAAC I've been hunting for quite a while now, so I better keep saving my pennies.

[Charley Lillard]

Hey...Mine is one of three Supercharged SAAC's and was owned by Kopec and Eber, who are founders of the club.

[old5.0]

Well, it isn't that I wouldn't love to have your car, but the one I'm after is the drag car, SAAC XD-1.

[PxTx]

Little update here. After evaluating the all the cars we were considering, Charley's SAAC Mustang was the stand out for my buddy Anthony.

It was a bit of an ordeal for an anxious new owner, but Charley couldn't have been cooler. Even needed to get a little assistance from Stefano and Nickey Chicago. I really have to thank them both for such a great experience and the car is everything we expected.

In comparison, some of the non-supercharged choices just seemed under powered and non of them had a tune anywhere near as smooth as this SAAC car.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/Mustang/photo004.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/Mustang/photo006.jpg


The car has some really great history behind it, and I am surprised how more and more seems to keep surfacing.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/Mustang/SAAC_MKI_article_001.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/Mustang/KGrHqYOKjwE09f3oU91BNiNirEhU_3.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/Mustang/KGrHqEOKikE11RqqeWBNiNi0qDQg_3.jpg

Also wanted to thank Tony "Old 5.0" for his perspective and help with learning just why the SAAC MkI Mustang was so significant.

[agtw31]

a guy i worked for in the early 90's had a Cartech? Mustang.i guess they were a Mustang tuner as well as Saleen

i believe it was turbocharged,and not many were made.

that thing was scary fast

[mockingbird812]

Nice looking ride. Congrats to the new owner!

[Xplantdad]

Very cool. Charley always has cool stuff! Congrats to the new owner!

[Ironlung73]

Thanks Mockingbird and Xplant... I am excited to be the new owner of the #004 MK1. Between the history behind it and the car itself, I am ecstatic. Thanks to Charley, Beth and Stefano, Tony and Paul....

[mockingbird812]

Welcome Ironlung. How does she run?

[Ironlung73]

I drove her for a total of one mile today.... Only got through 1st 2nd and 3rd. Runs strong, pulls hard, shifts crisp....It runs like brand new!! Hopefully get to put a few "get familiar" miles on her this weekend.

I had a '93 Canary Yellow Convert LX 5.0, back in '02. It had Saleen G-Trac Suspension, 4-pt bar, TFS Heads and Intake, 15lb intercooled Procharger, etc.....Eventhough I only drove it a few blocks,I think the MK1 could have gave that car a run for it's money

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ironlung73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Mockingbird and Xplant... I am excited to be the new owner of the #004 MK1. Between the history behind it and the car itself, I am ecstatic. Thanks to Charley, Beth and Stefano, Tony and Paul.... </div></div>

Anthony and Paul, I was happy to help. If you have any more questions, feel free to call. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: agtw31</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a guy i worked for in the early 90's had a Cartech? Mustang.i guess they were a Mustang tuner as well as Saleen

i believe it was turbocharged,and not many were made.

that thing was scary fast </div></div>

Yeah, the Cartechs were turbo'd. I've been looking for one of those, too, but the only one I've ever tracked down got turned into a tube frame drag car years ago...

[Charley Lillard]

Well it looks like it went to the right home. Glad you are happy with it. That car will be welcome at any Shelby event and be sure to let the Shelby club know you are the new owner for their records.