A silver anniversary edition to celebrate 25 years.
01-23-08: While the common thought out in the hobby is that Saleen’s days as a tuner are numbered since Steve himself walked away from the company, Saleen has released yet another special edition Mustang.
At the Detroit Auto Show this week, Saleen Automotive unveiled a 25th Anniversary “Sterling Edition” Mustang. The top drawer model is a celebration of the company’s 25 years in the business of upfitting Mustangs.
“At Saleen, automotive passion is more than a catch phrase, it is a lifestyle,” said Saleen General Manager, Marques McCammon. “Showcasing our Sterling Edition Ford Mustang at today’s Sterling VIP Preview is a demonstration of the things that reflect the way our buyers live. They have a high sense of style, a love for all things performance and an affinity for the exclusive. That is the very theme of the VIP Preview event.”
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At the event, it was announced that Saleen headquarters would be leaving Irvine, California and moving to it’s Troy, Michigan facility where the Ford GT had been produced. While Saleen announced that there would be a staff to remain in California, they have come to Michigan in soul.
On to the car, the Sterling Edition S302E is a 25 unit limited edition. It features a number of special touches including hand painted graphics and a genuine sterling silver serialized dash plaque. On out outside, it sports some clean looking brushed billet 25th Anniversary wreaths.
Like other recent special editions, the car eschews the classic Saleen look with a special set of 20 inch forged aluminum wheels. Down low is a slick carbon fiber wind splitter and rear air diffuser that look tlike they cost a mint. Behind those 20 inch wheels is a set of 15” brakes too.
The interior is where they really stepped up. Copious amounts of Alcantara and leather - the stuff Audis are bathed with, and silver accent stitching on the door inserts, dash and center console really liven the place up. Another modern touch is a dash mounted start button. That button of course will bring to like the 620 horsepower 302 cubic inch supercharged and intercooler V8.
In keeping with the $100,000 price tag, Saleen will wine and dine each buyer in Detroit with a delivery program that includes a first class round trip visit to the plant for a guided tour, dinner with Saleen executives, a photo album and portfolio of the car, letter of authenticity, a serialized car cover, and Saleen apparel. “Saleen is an experience and the Sterling Edition is a highlight of that experience,” said McCammon.
More power in the hands of a few one might say. Bravo!
