1989 Ford Mustang Saleen Convertible

Description

Will Saleen Mustangs become the Shelbys of the 1980s? I wouldn't bet against them, particularly when cars like this 1989 Ford Mustang Saleen convertible remain eminently affordable when you consider the rarity and the performance. Prices can only keep going up from here, right?

Saleen was always quick to point out that they were not a mere "tuner" but rather a small-volume manufacturer, and in terms of collectability, that makes a world of difference. It means that this nicely documented, Saleen (#681, by the way) has a Saleen VIN and serial number, ensuring its exclusivity. And while Saleen would sell their parts to the average Mustang owner, having one with that all-important serial number ahead of the driver's headlight means the world to enthusiasts. With just 67,238 original miles, this is one of the finer, all-original survivor Saleens we've featured and it shows a lifetime of expert and careful maintenance. The Saleen body kit is stylish yet restrained, save for the massive rear wing which was the car's most distinctive feature. The Scarlet Red paint is in excellent condition overall, especially when you consider the age, and you can't even tell where the Saleen parts were added and the factory paint ends, which is a testament to the care with which these cars were built (they were roughly twice as expensive as standard Mustangs). The distinctive Saleen graphics package highlights the rockers and it still carries its Ford-applied pinstripe along the flanks, too. All of it remains in first-class, top-driver quality shape with very few imperfections to speak of, making this an excellent choice for future appreciation.

Befitting the original $25-30k sticker price (that's assuming the original owner didn't pay over MSRP, which happened a lot back then due to demand), the interior got a comprehensive makeover at the Saleen facility in Anaheim, CA, before it was shipped to a Ford dealer in Beaverton, OR for sale on the showroom floor. Leather sport seat buckets are as grippy as Velcro, and they show very little wear outside a few minor 'comfort' marks on the higher-traffic areas of the driver's seat. The original rear seat was finished to match, as were the door panels, and the center console and plush carpets on the floors are all in great shape. Saleen touches include a MOMO steering wheel, 170 MPH speedometer (the original went to 85, which was pretty lame), a special short-throw shifter that manages the 5-speed manual gearbox below, and an upgraded Pioneer stereo system which was then replaced with a modern Pioneer multi-media head unit and fit neatly in the center stack. All the other Ford options were standard, too, including A/C, cruise control, tilt wheel, power windows and locks, power mirrors, a power seat, and a power folding top that stows under a matching gray boot. As you'd expect, everything is in first-rate survivor condition and fully functional save for the A/C (although the owner will include a new A/C compressor clutch with the sale to remedy this), which is typical of low-mileage Fox-body Mustangs. Even the trunk looks practically unused!

Ford's venerable 5.0 liter V8 was left pretty much factory-stock, but when you're the king of the streets already, there's not much point to changing the successful formula. Saleen included a special engine calibration as part of their upgrades, yet the car is docile enough to be a daily driver. With the Racecraft suspension, the Saleen could still run circles around anything this side of a Porsche 911, and with the oversized throttle body, it has 'right-now' throttle response. Saleen added a strut-tower brace, subframe connectors, and a front-cradle brace to stiffen the convertible's chassis in a very noticeable way, which makes the upgraded suspension all the more effective. They also remedied the Foxbody Mustang's biggest liability with proper power 4-wheel disc brakes and 5-lug hubs, which make a huge difference in the way this car feels on the road. Drive this back-to-back with any other Fox Mustang and they don't even feel like the same kind of car, with performance Bilstein shocks and a throaty X-pipe dual exhaust system providing a killer soundtrack below. This droptop is fitted with arguably the most handsome wheels ever created: the Saleen/American Racing 5-spoke alloy wheels, which are in great shape and wearing 225/50/16 performance rubber.

Well-maintained and beautifully preserved, this low-mileage Scarlet Red droptop comes documented with a copy of its original window sticker and original owner's manuals, and is primed and ready to continue to shoot up in value. It's over 33 years old now, and the new generation of collector's view the Saleen droptop as one of the top Mustangs ever made, and in our opinion, it's about darn time. Call today!