04-15-06: It is not very often when we react to a new version of the Mustang by saying, “Holy Schnikes! Put down the popcorn and take a look at this thing!” This is different. Steve Saleen really surprised us on his latest creation we have to admit.
The story of this car starts back in the “way back when“. Steve Saleen needed a driver for his SCCA racing team in the late 1980’s. He had the chance to have the legendary Parnelli Jones drive his Saleen Mustangs in the SCCA Manufacturer’s Championship and jumped on it. Parnelli went on to win the championship for Saleen that year in Sebring, a major feather in Saleen‘s cap.
Of course Parnelli Jones was a racing legend long before he ever met Steve Saleen. All through the 1950’s and 1960’s he made his name on circle tracks, off-road courses and at Indy. Relative to our story today, he raced BOSS 302 Mustangs in the SCCA Trans Am series in 1970. There too he walked away handily with the series championship where other racing legends Dan Gurney and Mark Donahue walked away defeated.
In New York on Thursday April 13th, Steve Saleen unveiled his newest creation, the Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition. The commemorative car is themed after the Grabber Orange 1970 BOSS 302 that Jones won the championship with over 35 years ago.
Parnelli Jones commented, “It’s a true honor to have a special edition Saleen wearing my name. This impressive car takes me back in time – it makes me want to take it for a run around the track. I’m sure that this car will be an adrenaline-pumping experience for anyone who has the chance to own or drive one. I think that this car is going to evoke nostalgia not only for Steve Saleen and myself, but for everyone that lays their eyes on it.”
That is an understatement. The car is true to form featuring a Saleen built 302 cubic inch version of the Ford 3-valve modular V8 that belts out 370 naturally aspirated horsepower. It’s peak power is at 6000 rpm with a maximum 370 ft./lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm. A high revving valve train and high compression heads top off the custom built engine that features a fully forged bottom end with forged pistons and rods. A lightweight racing flywheel gives the engine a truly light and free-revving personality.
Visually, the engine is accented with special Saleen 302 valve covers. Completing the
authenticity and providing additional high performance capabilities is the new exhaust system that provides a low-resonating sound that is a legacy of Saleen.
On the exterior you will not find the garden variety Saleen body package. No, this car shares not a single panel or trim piece with Saleen’s other cars. “We designed this commemorative vehicle to capture the raw, aggressive feel that Parnelli raced with, and created a racing revolution,” continued Steve Saleen.
The new Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition comes in one color, Grabber Orange. Details of the BOSS 302 themed car include a black striped “shaker” hood, race-style hood pins, black trunk deck, and 302 side stripes. A custom front fascia with racing-style air dam reminiscent of the 2005 Mustang concept is found up front. Side skirts, rear fascia and a rear 1970 replica wing round out the major additions. More subtle touches include a trunk insert license plate panel with chrome trim, rear window quarter panels, and a racing-style billet gas cap.
Demonstrating further the authenticity of this retro-beauty, Parnelli’s racing
number, 15, removable and reusable static cling race decals, and the Ford blue oval are
displayed – just like the one that appeared on Parnelli’s 1970 Boss 302 Mustang.
Signature decals of both Steve Saleen and Parnelli Jones show above the door roof rails, and an all-new Saleen Parnelli Jones logo appears throughout the exterior and interior. Borrowed from the seventies are the restyled rear window louvered sport slats, which is an essential part of the overall styling.
Saleen brought over his trademark Racecraft suspension but added a unique Watts-Link in place of Ford’s standard pan hard rod. This lateral axle locating device is more precise and does not bind like pan hard rods can. The rolling stock starts with a classic and very welcome set of Minilite-style 19”x9” front and 19”x10” rear wheels with Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition center caps. The wheels are shod with Pirelli 275x40x19 front, and 285x40x19 rear tires. As one might expect you will be stopping with Saleen 14” front disc brakes.
The interior of the Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Edition is really alive with color. The first thing you notice is the two-tone black and orange custom leather seats with retro style stitching. Leather covers the steering wheel and shift knob as well. Saleen added his trademark center gauge pod with oil pressure and temperature dials, and vintage
instrumentation panel with its black background and white characters. Nice!
Only 500 Saleen / Parnelli Jones Limited Editions will be built and are already on the way to dealers as this is written. We spoke to our local Saleen outlet here in Phoenix area, North Scottsdale Ford who said they have one on order and it is coming any day. The MSRP of the Limited Edition should come in right around the mid to high $50,000 range which is about the same as a Saleen S-281 SC. This car will likely command a dealer mark-up unfortunately as it really is a stand out.
We’ll do our best to bring you a test-drive report as soon as we can get our hands on one!
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