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Saleen Mustang . Options:
1989 Saleen SSC (1 of only 161)
On April 17, 1989, the 25th birthday of Fords Mustang -- Saleen Autosport debuted its long awaited SSC model. The SSC was a huge step forward for Saleen Autosport as a company because it was built around a 292-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency in all 50 states. This was no small accomplishment for a small-volume automaker in 1989.
The SSCs interior was an altar where the marriage of luxury and performance took place, with leather FloFit seats and matching door panels coddling the lucky owner. The SSC speedometer registered 200 miles an hour, even though top speed was more realistically in the low-150 range. There was no back seat in the SSC because the area was taken up with 200 watts of Pioneer sound system, CD player and six speakers. A four-point interior chassis support system (known in the old, pre-lawsuit days as a rollbar) further stiffened the Mustang platform.
Because of the incredible list of standard equipment, there were absolutely no options available. All 161 SSCs produced as 1989-only models were identical. All were white with white wheels and gray-and-white interiors. The only differences lay in running changes affected by component suppliers. For example, not all cars received the Momo steering wheel. Certifying, building, and selling a modified engine package made Saleen customers happy, but it also gave the company a broader product range that now included a constantly evolving base model as well as a high-end super car.
The attention Saleen received for his SSC helped take the focus away from Ford, which many Mustang fans felt were insulting their favorite car by not offering a special anniversary edition. The asking price for Saleens unofficial 25th anniversary Mustang model was $36, 500.
Saleen SSC Powertrain and Suspension
Conception of the SSC took place in 1988 when Saleen announced plans to produce a special 300-horsepower package to celebrate the companys upcoming fifth anniversary. That all-black SA-5 (meaning Saleen Autosport 5th anniversary) never got past the prototype stage before it evolved into the SSC.
Saleens modifications to the 5.0 included a 65mm throttle body (up from the stock Mustangs 60mm), revised intake plenum, enlarged cylinder head ports, wider rocker arm ratios, stainless steel tubular headers, heavy-duty cooling system, and Walker Dynomax mufflers.
A high-performance version of the Mustangs Borg Warner T-5 transmission was installed behind the new power plant and controlled by a Hurst short-throw shifter. Standard 3.55:1 gears were housed in an Auburn cone clutch differential for ground-scorching acceleration.
Three-way Monroe Formula GA electronic cockpit-adjustable shock absorbers were quite an innovation at the time and Steve Saleen had to have them on his flagship SSC. Massive 24550-16 General XP-2000Z rubber sat on the rear, with the slightly narrower front receiving 22550-16Zs. SSC wheels were beautiful five-spoke, 16x8-inch DP models. Mechanically, the car either benefited from the stock Saleen inventory or, in most cases, went one better with all-new equipment.
Although the final horsepower rating of 292 fell short of Saleens intended 300, the SSC was considered a hit in the Mustang world because it marked the first time since the 1960s that a small-volume manufacturer was able to legally sell a car powered by a modified engine.
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