As the value of cars from the 70s, 80s, and 90s start to climb, it is fun to speculate what models will be worth the most when the market peaks for this respective automobile vintage. Up for sale in Upland, CA, is an interesting car to speculate about: a 1986 Ford Mustang customized by Saleen Autosport. Listed for $59,900, or best offer here on eBay, this car has the potential to be a special piece in someone’s collection that could potentially rise in value considerably. Or is this just a gussied-up 80s fox body?
Steve Saleen is one of the great American horsepower pioneers of the last four decades. The cars he has built and brought to market are well-known for their handling and power, and this is due to his impressive resume as a race car driver. Starting with his first car, a Porsche 356, Saleen always had an eye for performance, always customizing his cars with aftermarket performance goodies. After wrecking his Shelby GT350 street racing in 1971 in a scary cliff accident, Saleen focused his efforts on the track and was quite successful in open-wheel racing. He imbued this experience into his cars, culminating in the poster-worthy S7 supercar in the early 2000s.
This Mustang is one of Saleen’s early modified factory cars, coming to market in 1986. As 1 of only 200 Saleen Mustangs built this year, this is a very rare car, and I doubt many left are in this good condition. The paint and body look fantastic, and according to the seller, this car only has a tick over 16k miles, lending to the condition. Combined with the gold basket weave wheels, the graphics strike a look that firmly proclaims, “I’m rad, dude,” and just plain work for this car. If the mileage is accurate, this car should be mechanically sound if you aren’t too afraid to drive it.
These types of cars are very intriguing. This is not a factory special but a low-mileage example from a respected builder that only built 200 of these. Does that make it less valuable or more valuable? Is this a supercar, or just a hot-rodded domestic? Will this car bring big money in the next decade or two? $60k is not a small sum, but if this car starts to realize like some of the other “supercars” of this vintage, that is a considerable barrier to entry for a good investment. An investment that you can rip around a track or down a dragstrip!
Pretty sure this car was on here some weeks back. Real rare beauty.
You’re right. It was back in October. Someone flipped it.
It’s the same seller, we now know what his reserve for the first auction likely was.
Steve R
Cool car, lots to like.
This beautiful steed is calling my name!!!!
I’m not a fan of this generation Mustang. They practically shout “Cheap”. However, this steed promises exciting performance, enough so that one could overlook these Mustangs’ shortcomings. I don’t believe it’s going to sell at that price however.
Supercar? I think not.
1986 was the year of the “new” disastrous 302 heads.
Better heads in 1985 and that older design was made again in 1987.
TEXMEX Borderline Customs on Netflix pulled one out of Mexico andf rebuilt it. Was certified by Steve Saleen. I don’t see the Koni suspension label and is there a ‘plaque’ on the console?
I agree with you 100%. These early cars were basically stock 5.0s, some with a few small/simple bolt-ons. They were fitted with loud cat-back exhausts plus 1 or plus 2 tires and wheels, a ground effects body kit and small picnic table-size rear wing (yeah, it overwhelmed the ass-end of the car). Oh yeah, a lot of Saleen stripes so everyone (??) would be duly impressed. The build quality of the cars and components was excellent, but the ride was comparable to a racing go-kart. Steve and his crew get props for seemingly continually upgrading and refining the cars, and they did get better and better as time and the ongoing refinements made notable improvements