High Bid: $ 17,250

1997 FORD MUSTANG SALEEN S281 BUDGET CONVERTIBLE - AS PER THE SALEEN REGISTRY THIS BLACK EXTERIOR/BLACK INTERIOR CONVERTIBLE WITH SILVER GRAPHICS WAS MANUFACTURED IN JULY OF 1996 IN THE IRVINE, CALIFORNIA SALEEN FACTORY AND THE ORIGINAL DEALER WAS RACEWAY FORD IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS: SPORT BAR AND MAGNESIUM WHEELS. THE RECORDS ALSO INDICATE THIS PARTICULAR SALEEN IS 1 OF 6 WITH THESE EXACT COLORS AND OPTIONS. THERE WERE 128 BUDGET RENTAL SALEENS EVER BUILT (ONLY FROM 1996-1998). THIS IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW (BELIEVED TO BE 3) BUDGET RENTAL EXECUTIVE CARS THAT WAS NEVER PUT INTO THE RENTAL FLEET. A BUDGET EXECUTIVE DROVE INITIALLY AND PURCHASED THE SALEEN FOR HIMSELF IN 1998. HE OWNED THE CAR UNTIL 2013 WHEN HE PASSED AWAY FROM A SUDDEN HEART ATTACK LEAVING THE CAR TO HIS SISTER WHO OWNED IT UNTIL 2015. THIS IS ONE OF THE NICEST, IF NOT THE NICEST ORIGINAL PAINT, UNMODIFIED, COLLECTOR QUALITY SALEEN S281 BUDGET RENTAL CARS BUILT IN THE WORLD. THIS IS A REALLY AMAZING UN-RESTORED VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN IN CALIFORNIA ITS ENTIRE EXISTENCE AND ONLY DRIVEN SPARINGLY AND ON NICE DAYS. THE ORIGINAL SALEEN EXCLUSIVE BORLA STAINLESS STEEL 2.5” MADREL BENT EXHAUST WITH MACHINE GUN INTER-COOLED TAILPIPE. EXHAUST LOOKS LIKE NEW AND STILL HAS THAT COOL DEEP BURBLE SOUND. SALEEN CAR COLLECTOR AND EXPERT ALEX MACKENZIE FROM PALM SPRINGS WHO HAS OWNED OVER 100 SALEENS, SHELBYS, MACH ONES OVER 25 YEARS WENT COMPLETELY THROUGH THE VEHICLE BOTH COSMETICALLY AND MECHANICALY IN 2019: • PROFESSIONALLY REMOVED AND STRIPPED THE FRONT BUMPER TO BARE URETHANE, RE-PRIMED AND PAINTED WITH 3 COATS OF BASE AND 3 COATS OF CLEAR. A NEW #82 BUMPER STICKER WAS APPLIED TO ORIGINAL LOCATION • NEW FRONT STRUTS, POLYURETHANE SWAY BAR END LINKS AND FRESH ALIGNMENT • ALL FRESH FLUIDS FROM FRONT TO BACK AND ALL NEW FILTERS AND BRAKES AND SERPERTINE BELT. • COMPLETE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM REBUILDING ORIGINAL COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH, ALL NEW O RINGS, FLUSH, NEW ORIFICE TUBE AND FRESH OIL/FREON. • ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER AND CONSOLE PLAQUE ON ORDER FROM SALEEN –DID NOT COME WITH ANY RENTAL CARS BUT COULD BE ORDERED BY NEW OWNERS • NOS MOMO ORIGINAL SHIFT KNOB AND SET OF NOS ORIGINAL S281 FLOOR MATS • NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, BEARINGS AND SYNCROS IN OCTOBER OF 2019