Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

First New Car: ’89 Mustang Saleen

saleen5

Consider me jealous: this 1989 Ford Mustang Saleen here on eBay was the seller’s first new car that he ever bought, and it’s been traveling with him ever since, making moves from coast to coast. Although not a true barn find, he considers it to be a close second place given how little his car is used, as evidenced by having just over 50,000 miles on the clock. 

saleen6

Even though the mileage could be considered low, the seller has at least still found ways to exercise the Saleen’s legs while in captivity. The bodywork remains in excellent shape, aside from some errant dings and dents, and the front spoiler could use repainting or replacing after an errant Ford Explorer rolled down the driveway and cracked the paint. There’s also a rub mark on the rear bumper, credited to a sloppy shipper.

saleen7

If you weren’t sold by the exterior, the inside should do it. A classic 3-spoked steering wheel, Recaro seats, and I’m sure a rocking sound system were all considered standard equipment back in the day, and those bits remain attached to the Mustang. While it definitely needs a period K40 radar dectector and jammer to complete the look, I’d happily drive this Saleen edition as-is.

saleen8

The seller claims the engine is in good health, and all recommended maintenance has been done up to this point. There’s plenty of paperwork and vehicle records included with the sale, another indication of enthusiastic ownership by a seller who knew what he wanted when he strolled into the Ford dealership those many years ago. Now, this Saleen is ready to go to a new owner for the first time since it was new, and with bidding approaching $12,500, I’m guessing it will find that new owner, and hopefully one that will use the car as it was meant to be used.

Comments

  1. Avatar Brian

    I would love to have that car, but not going to happen right now. I bought a new 1990 LX 5.0 in white. 5-spd of course. Installed Saleen suspension, Flowmaster exhaust, wheels and tires. That was a great car. Drove it on a cross-country trip, averaged 25 mpg.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Of all the near-vintage No American cars, this is #1 for me. I like the Fox bodies, and this is the ultimate street Fox body car. I have a lot of respect for Steve Saleen for all he has done with street and race cars, and there would be nothing better than this car as a way to own a part of that. Normally I don’t crave big wings, but I could easily live with the one on this car.

    I have seen these sell recently for fairly cheap money, considering what they are, in the mid-teens. I hope the seller gets what this car is worth. The low mileage looks right to me, and with all the paperwork and the good condition of the car I can believe that he has been a long term fan of these cars. I hope that another real fan gets it and takes care of it, and then maybe passes it on to another Fox body Saleen fan when the time ciomes.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Dr. D

    What I like most about this Saleen is that he ordered it the way I would have done — without the stripes and windshield banner installed, but included separately, boxed in the trunk, which this seller says in the Q&A he still has.

    I was in high school in the 80s and even then I really disliked the Saleen windshield banner.

    I agree with @Dolphin, I have been eyeing these Fox body Saleens and have been surprised to see them sell in the $15-17K range in excellent condition. These are ripe for appreciation. The last one to catch my eye was a 1987 Saleen, #092 which had 74K miles and was being offered on Craigslist last December in LA with an ask price of $16,500.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    This is my unicorn Mustang too. ’89 mass air with the non airbag wheel and the cool relocated cruise control buttons. Saleen addressed most of the Fox’s shortcomings with these cars including a better suspension, 4 wheel discs, and good seats. Pretty certain the seats are Flo-Fits rather than Recaros. This is one of the few cars I sell my 318is for.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar RoughDiamond

    That car and stance is sweet!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Mike

    The seats are flo-fit.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar RoughDiamond

    I bet the Seller is so glad he put a Reserve on his Saleen. Bid to only $12,800.00 with 14 hours to go.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar OhU8one2

    Only two fox body Saleen’s I really crave,the SSC and the SA10. Very rare and desirable machine’s. The late Paul Walker had I believe 3 SA10’s,out of a total production run of 10 car’s. So what does that tell you. And racecar spelled backwards is still racecar.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Dr. D

    I am surprised that this one ended with bidding only at $13,600.

    Not so surprised that the reserve was not met. It would have been a steal at $13.6K

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to RoughDiamond Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.