1 of 137 Saleen Mustang Convertible 5.0L V8 5 Speed Manual A/C 14,216 Miles

One of the biggest names in hot rod Mustangs is Saleen Automobiles. By offering high performance, turnkey sports cars, the company has transitioned from a garage bay tuner to a highly respected, OEM-level manufacturer. As one of only 137 Saleen convertibles produced for the 1988 model year, Saleen #88-516 is a fine example of the firm's focus and exclusivity. Fully documented, outfitted with one of the most cohesive performance packages the '80s had to offer, and sporting a mere 14,216 miles, this Saleen is quite possibly the premier car of its era. If you're a savvy collector looking for a future collectible that's fun to drive and cool to show, there's no time like the present!

RACING BEGINS WITH AERODYNAMICS

At his core, Steve Saleen is a racer. That's probably why he was one of the first aftermarket tuners to apply major aerodynamic principles to factory production cars. Finished in silky Black, and striped in tri-tone Grey, #88-516 incorporates every trick Saleen knew right into its boxed body. Originally delivered to Courtesy Ford in Littleton, Colorado, this blue oval bombshell has been pampered and loved since the day it was new. And the car's great fit and finish is, no doubt, thanks to the largely hand-built nature of Saleen's custom add-ons. Those features begin with a numbered Saleen Autosport valance, which balances large headlights at the sides of a petite, “Ford” branded grille. At the sides of the car, Saleen Autosport rockers reflect painted mirrors and small door handles. Above those handles, an original top shades an original Saleen windshield banner. And at the back of the car, a small Saleen emblem joins an original Courtesy Ford badge to split the difference between a Saleen Autosport wing and a second Saleen Autosport valance.

ALL FORD

The Mustang has long been the champion of budget performance, and much of that has to do with the rock-solid engines Ford bolts between the car's fenders. Pop the hood and you'll find a venerable 5.0 liter Windsor block that twists a stout 225 horsepower into an even 300 lb./ft. of torque. While this mill made its first appearance in the budget-minded Fairlane, it eventually became a trusted ally on the highway, drag strip and road course. That bodes well for the buyer of this exclusive Saleen, since all the engine's mostly-original components can be easily repaired if needed. 'Mostly-original' is the key phrase there, as almost everything aside from the car's tubular headers is just as the factory left it. The clean, Saleen-tagged engine bay still sports original Ford Black paint under a sturdy Saleen strut brace. And, with just over 14K miles on the clock, the spry mill is ripe for decades of casual cruising!

RACECRAFT ROOTS

For the 1988 model year, most of Saleen's track-focused magic was applied to the Mustang's curve-carving chassis. The hot five-oh funnels grunt to a tough Borg Warner T5 5-speed, which appropriates power to a Ford 8.8-inch axle. That axle spins an optional, Saleen-installed posi around Saleen-installed, 3.55 gears. That drivetrain pushes a heavily upgraded suspension, which mixes specific-rate coils with Monroe Formula GP shocks and a Monroe Formula GP axle damper. Opposite that clip, two more specific-rate coils join Saleen strut bearings, urethane sway bar bushings and Monroe Formula GP struts. Stops are quick and easy thanks to Saleen-installed SVO discs. Naturally, power rack-and-pinion steering is present and accounted for. A factory exhaust system breathes through original, “Ford” stamped mufflers. And a Saleen high performance alignment is the perfect complement to attractive Saleen/American Racing alloys and 225/50ZR16 BF Goodrich g-Force Sports.

WHEN BETTER BECOMES BEST

Inside this Mustang, a clean cockpit traces red-trimmed Saleen Flofit sport seats that feature full lumbar adjustment for the car's front passengers. In front of those thrones, a 2-tone dash hangs a small Saleen Mustang badge and bright Steve Saleen signature opposite a 170 MPH Saleen speedo and an electronic Saleen tach. Beneath that dash, a factory console tilts a Saleen-installed Hurst shifter behind a serialized Saleen plaque and Saleen-installed Pioneer audio. Soft carpet floats color-keyed floor mats between Saleen-themed side panels, which plant power windows and power door locks amid Saleen-installed speakers. In front of the driver, a Leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, yes – bolted up by Saleen, laps a factory tilt column. And behind the passengers, a tight convertible cowl fronts a deep trunk.

PROVENANCE

According to Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works, this dashing drop-top was assembled in Dearborn, Michigan on April 8th, 1988. Here's a thorough breakdown of the car's Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report:

DOOR DATA:

SERIAL NUMBER: 1FABP44E3JF241671
* 1FA – Ford Motor Company, USA Car
* B – Active seat belts
* P44 – Mustang LX 2-door convertible
* E – 5.0 liter High Output V8 that's equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection
* 3 – Check Digit
* J – 1988 model year
* F – Built in Dearborn, Michigan
* 241671 – Serial number of this Ford scheduled for production at Dearborn
* 04/88 – Built in April of 1988
* 1C – Black
* 76 – Denver Ordering District
* 66B – Mustang LX 2-door convertible
* A – Black convertible top
* XXX – Black bodyside molding
* FG – Medium Grey cloth bucket seats
* Y – Radio delete
* Z – Traction-Lok rear axle with 3.08 gears
* 2 – 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

* Saleen Mustang
* License plate bracket
* Optional axle ratio
* Traction-Lok rear axle
* P225/60VR15 Black sidewall radials
* Tilt steering wheel
* Manual air conditioner
* Radio delete
* Power windows
* Black convertible top
* Visibility Light Group
* Power Lock Group
* 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive

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VEHICLE SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* The car's original Ford Owner's Guide
* Accessory literature from both Ford and Saleen
* The car's original Ford OwnerCard
* Miscellaneous service records
* A Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
* A Saleen production breakdown
* A personalized plate from Arizona

Limited production, excellent condition and a lifetime of documentation. That's the perfect recipe for solid value and big gains. With only 14,216 miles of road time, this Ford is a fantastic piece of Mustang and Saleen history. Show it, enjoy it, pamper it, but don't ever forget that the man who built it is all about speed!

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SUMMARY

* Fully documented, unmodified survivor that's traveled only 14,216 miles
* 1 of only 137 Saleen convertibles produced for the 1988 model year
* 5.0 liter Ford Windsor V8 / Borg Warner T5 5-speed manual transmission
* Ford 8.8-inch rear axle / Optional Traction-Lok posi-traction differential / Optional 3.55 gears
* Saleen-tuned suspension / 16-inch Saleen/American Racing wheels
* Saleen-installed SVO 4-wheel power disc brakes / Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Saleen Autosport body modifications / Black vinyl top
* Saleen-modified interior / Saleen-installed Pioneer audio system
* Factory air conditioning
* Sale includes: The car's original Ford OwnerCard / Service records / A Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report