SaleenSaleen Inc., celebrating its twentieth anniversary as a specialty vehicle manufacturer, specializes in the manufacture of vehicles for enthusiasts that include technology developed from the Saleen/Allen Speedlab race team, eight-time winners of sports car racing manufacturer championships.
Saleen creates high performance vehicles for street and track, including the S7 supercar, the S281, the race/road SR and the N2O Focus. The company also produces and markets a broad line of performance parts as well as offering design, engineering and certification services.
The company, started by former racing driver Steve Saleen, began in 1983. Saleen used his business degree from USC, coupled with experience in his father's manufacturing business, to build the company. His passion for racing also played a part. Steve began autocrossing, then rapidly moved into SCCA pro series (Formula Atlantic, Trans-Am Championship) and then into Indy car racing.
By 1984, the first Saleen street car was ready for sale. It boasted special aerodynamics, an attractive and highly functional cockpit and a precise handling suspension package. The result was a car built as a limited edition model with individual serial numbers assuring authenticity. Later, demonstrating the car's performance, the company's race team brought home a victory for Saleen, Ford and sponsor General Tire at the 24-hour race at Mosport Park in Ontario, Canada.
Saleen Special Vehicles
In 2003 Ford chose Saleen, Inc. as one of the key suppliers to the Ford GT. To build this low-volume super car, Chris Theodore, Ford's vice president of product development assembled a team of performance engineering experts, such as Saleen, with the skills to deliver and the knowledge to get things done within Ford while operating outside the established system.
Many of the assembly processes already employed by Saleen to manufacture its Mustang, N20 Focus and S7 models will be used for the paint and vehicle assembly responsibilities Saleen will assume for the new Ford GT.
To provide these services to Ford, Saleen has opened a nearly 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Troy, Michigan known as Saleen Special Vehicles (SSV) or Saleen, Troy. Housed in this building are a highly efficient GT assembly line, state-of-the-art painting facilities and a group of highly creative and specialized designers, engineers and fabricators capable of producing one-off show cars such as the critically acclaimed 2005 Ford Mustang GT-R.
Steve Saleen
Steve Saleen is founder and president of Saleen, Inc., a specialty vehicle manufacturer. Saleen worked at his father's manufacturing business prior to attending the University of Southern California. He graduated with a degree in business. His interest in fast cars was sparked by his father's purchase of a Porsche. Saleen joined the Porsche Owners Club and began to autocross and race, leading to a career in professional racing. He set 13 SCCA Formula Atlantic records and finished third in the championship behind Jacques Villeneuve in 1980. In 1982, Saleen entered the Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am Championship.
In 1984, Saleen formed Saleen Autosport. Following in the footsteps of, Carroll Shelby, Saleen began improving the appearance and performance characteristics of the Mustang. By 1984, Saleen had completed the first Saleen Mustang. He equipped the car with special aerodynamic, suspension and handling packages and an attractive and highly functional cockpit. Proving that his car could successfully compete against the world's top sports cars, Saleen brought home a win at the grueling 24-hour race in Mosport, Canada.
Victories continued in 1987, where the Saleen team captured SCCA championship titles for driver, team, manufacturer and tire. In 1989, Saleen tested his mettle in the CART/PPG lndy Car World Series. He returned to the Trans-Am series in 1990-91. He won the 1991 SCCA Race Truck Championship driving a Ford Ranger.
In 1995, Saleen teamed up with motion picture and television star Tim Allen and racing legend Bob Bondurant to form the Saleen/Allen 'RRR' Speedlab race team, which campaigned Saleen Mustangs in the SCCA World Challenge Series. The next year, Saleen was inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame along with Carroll Shelby.
In 1997, the team successfully competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A Saleen Mustang also clinched the SCCA Manufacturer's title for the third time. In 1998, the team claimed their fourth SCCA Manufacturer's Championship title as well as first and second-place in the Driver's Championship.
Saleen introduced the Saleen Mustang S351, then the fastest vehicle available on a showroom floor, along with the S281 for high performance at a lower cost. He built the first high performance sport-utility vehicle, the XP8 and then the SR, the fastest Ford Mustang. With the introduction of the S7, Saleen created his first vehicle not based on any previously-existing platform.
Steve Saleen is married to Liz and has a daughter, Molly, and two sons, Clint and Sean. The Saleens live in Orange County, California, near the company's production facility.
Saleen has a rich history deeply rooted in the Mustang heritage. Here are some of the hoghlights.
1984
Saleen Autosport formed by racing driver Steve Saleen. The company introduces the first Saleen Mustang.
1986
Saleen Autosport enters Sports Car Club of America Showroom Stock series with a race-prepared version of the Saleen Mustang; wins grueling 24 Hours of Mosport with sponsorship from General Tire.
1987
Three-car Saleen team wins Driver, Team, Manufacturer and Tire Championships in SCCA Escort Endurance Championship with sponsorship from General Tire. Enters a General Tire backed, Ford Rangerbased,
Saleen Sportruck in the SCCA Coors Race Truck Challenge; captures two wins.
1988
Saleen Mustangs finish 1-2-3 at 24 Hours of Mosport for the third consecutive year and give Ford its first 1-2-3 finish since Le Mans in the late ‘60s. Introduces Saleen Sportruck.
1989
Enters the PPG Indy Car World Series with a team backed by Montgomery Ward. Saleen Mustangs and Sportrucks continue their winning campaigns in SCCA Showroom Stock Competition with General Tire sponsorship.
1990
Enters Trans-Am with a Saleen Mustang backed by General Tire. Saleen Performance Parts expanded and established as an independent operation.
1991
Wins SCCA Race Truck Championship with five victories in six races which moves Steve into a tie for the most victories in the series and provides Ford with the Manufacturer’s Championship. Campaigns Trans-Am series with Saleen Scorcher Mustang and sponsorship from Champion Batteries; secures three top ten finishes.
1993
Saleen returns to SCCA Showroom Stock competition with a supercharged Saleen SC in the World Challenge series.
1994
Saleen introduces his most impressive product lineup to date; including the 351 cu-in.-powered S351 and the 480 horsepower Saleen SR.
1995
Saleen introduces the Speedster featuring a 351 cu-in., 371 bhp Saleen engine with an optional supercharger that can boost output to 480 bhp. Saleen, Inc. forms the Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab with actor Tim Allen (“Home Improvement,” “The Santa Clause”). The team sets new track records and wins final race of the SCCA World Challenge series.
1996
Saleen debuts the 1996 Saleen S281, featuring a 4.6-liter, 215 bhp engine. This vehicle offers an affordable entry into the Saleen line of vehicles. Power output from the supercharged S351 rises to 495 bhp. The Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab, with teammates Saleen and Allen, wins the SCCA Manufacturer Championship. Steve Saleen is inducted into the Mustang
Hall of Fame with Carroll Shelby.
1997
Steve Saleen joins the Board of Directors of the Mustang Museum and Professional Sports Car Racing. Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab competes at 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the Mustang’s first appearance in over 30 years. Saleen clinches the SCCA Manufacturer Championship title for the third time.
1998
Saleen debuts the Saleen Explorer XP8 Performance Utility Vehicle, its first foray into the sport utility vehicle market. Saleen/Allen “RRR” Speedlab wins both the SCAA Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championship titles.
1999
Saleen unveils the 1999 Saleen Mustang S281 and S351, featuring dynamic new design, lower cost and a higher level of performance. Former Le Mans Saleen SR wins Spanish FIA GT Championship.
2000
Competing in the inaugural Grand American Road Racing season, Saleen captures the GTO "Triple Crown" winning the Manufacturer and Team Championships, as well as the Driver Championship for teammates Terry Borcheller and Ron Johnson. Saleen debuts its American supercar, the Saleen S7, at the Monterey Historics and Pebble Beach Concours.
2001
In its inaugural season, Saleen customer teams racing the new S7R win four GTS Drivers' Championships in four different series (ALMS, ELMS, Grand-Am and Spanish GT) around the world. The teams wins 19 out of 32 races, including the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring, grabbing 27 poles and setting 27 fastest laps, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the factory team finished on the podium.
2002
Saleen unveils the S281 Extreme, the world’s most powerful (445 HP) production Mustang. Saleen S7R customer teams continue to operate in four series (ALMS, Grand-Am, British GT and Spanish GT) winning 18 out of 40 races and three GTS Drivers’ Championships and several more Team and Manufacturers’ Championships. Also won 21 poles and set 23 fastest laps.
2003
Saleen begins assembly of Ford GT and other specialty vehicles in new Troy, Michigan manufacturing facility.
2004
Saleen celebrates 20th anniversary by introducing N20 Focus and ten SA-20 Mustangs. Customer teams continue to win in Europe against Ferrari and Maserati.
2005
Saleen debuts redesigned S281 line featuring the Saleen Scenic Roof and Speedster.
2006
The redesigned and the fastest Extreme to date – the S281-E goes in to production, boasting 550hp. S281 horsepower increases: 330hp for 3-Valve; 435hp for supercharged. Saleen Sport Truck S331 is unveiled for 2007 at 450hp.
Saleen debuts the Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang, which is a 1970 retro-style Parnelli Jones Boss 302 in a contemporary form, revealing 370hp in a 302 cid V-8, 3-valve engine. Painted in Grabber Orange, with black striped shaker hood - all of which are reminiscent to Parnelli & Saleen’s vast motorsports & automotive lineage.
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