1989 Mustang California Special Edition Saleen INFO??? Anyone?
 

I would like some info on my 1989 Mustang California Special With the RACECRAFT Suspension. Anyone know anything about them as mine seems to be faster than the bolt on 5.0's in my area. Other than suspension, did I get any other performance goodies? Any info helps from Suspension parts to rearend gears to interior... Anything. Thanks!
Here are a few pictures:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...0/IMG_2507.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...0/IMG_2503.jpg

never heard of one

Me neither. Sorry...

my guys would be guy slapped stickers on your car.

LOOKS like a normal gt with stickers as the Saleen had a different ground effects package

I do believe that i may be some type of special edition...

First thing, check to see if it is original paint (especially the fenders), if it is original paint, the stickers may be original.

My cousins 89 GT may be very similar to that, it started out dove gray with titainium ground effects, it had the Saleen style "Racecraft Suspension" decals instead of the 5.0 badge, it had FMS 3:73's and was quick. (No paint code in the door). It did have a full size gas tank. The paint was original, and there was no evidence of 5.0 badges ever being on it.

The car was bent pretty bad when he got it, but we fixed it and gave it a new complete paint job, both fenders were repalced and we put 5.0 badges back on.

He does have pictures of it laying around before the repair, but I would have to scan them in if he can find them.

I know most of you guys are quick to refuse that there may be a few special edition stangs out there, but there are some out there.

Wassup mjr, actually the Saleens had different GFX put on the LX models, but the wheels are defenetly Saleen - but most I've seen are 5 lug though, who knows??

It is very possible that Saleen played around with some GT's as well.

from the angle its at, it does look like it is sitting lower than a regular fox....

I'm not denying their existence, Ive just never seen one or heard of one, nor is it mentioned in any of my mustang books...

plus, I am usually skeptical...

Check this out

http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/...00/934845.html


it may take a few seconds to load...

Some of you guys shouldn't be so quick to judge. :)

that website comes up as malicious :(

I'll try and link the pics... Some guy is selling one.

Give me a couple of minutes.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6395/13529943qa0.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6791/81709787qt6.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/7955/79069050sj7.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4364/63801553sf9.jpg

Looks legit to me.. roush and saleen get wild hairs up there butts and come out with little things here and there. there so many editions i read about all the time iv never heard of but they make em. just like a v6roush was made.. why? i dunno but it was lol

Its that if it was legit you would think there would be info somewhere

it doesn't mean a thing, obviously you can see it has been doctored, real saleen's will have authentic documention and plaques....I wouldn't be so quick to assume a CA edition exists cause some dealer/ independent person wants to advertise his doctored "GT" as such...you wouldn't believe how many fake clone cobras I saw last year at the big ford show in PA last year......post the info on a saleen specific site and see what they say:)

Not necssarily, back then there was no internet. If there were a handfull of special edition cars made, it may not be documented very well, possibly only a handfull of dealers sold them... who knows... kindof like the 82 SS, do any exist? Do any brouchures still exist?

When things happen nowadays, there is proof on the web and it stays there. When something was done 20 years ago, and there are only a few floating around, no one knows about them. People who worked in the factory prolly aren't around kicking anymore. Kindof like the white Twister 2... no one knew they existed until one was spotted at a show, they thought they only came out in red.

Also, documentation can be rare as it was not a production car from the factory, rather it was a car that was modified somewhat from a third party...

A couple other cars that come to mind are the NF150, the Saleen Ranger. Another odd one is the Roush 360r. Will anyone remeber the Thunderbolt Ranger in 20 years?

How is it a doctored GT? They both have the same fender stickers, same color car, etc.

Yes, the one I pictured does have newer wheels, but who's to say it ain't legit?


HOSS302 is correct about special eds.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:EF:US:1123

I guess were a bit special here in CA. :)

It does sit VERY LOW! It is very quick as said previous. I do have a plaque with the car. I will get pictures very soon. I dont think it is a fake at all. Original paint and everything.

Here is a picture of the plaque...

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...mentaspx-1.jpg

LOL^^^^^^^^^THAT'S the vin number that is suppose to be affixed in the front lower left corner of the windshield:)

It has gt ground effects and a saleen front facia...and non saleen wheels and on the left front top of the bumper saleen authentically numbered which production number it was and I see GT seats...saleens had halo headrests and a 2 inch cowl hood = not a saleen trade mark......bottom line is my 92 has a cobra emblem plastered on it and a saleen wing does that make it a cobra saleen.....ya' know those are the rarest of 'em all :D??? but your correct...who's to say it isn't legit????.....without looking it over first hand no telling what it really is but based on visual evidence it doesn't bare the marks of a real saleen

I know it is not a production Saleen that was sold nationaly, but it is very possible it was a side project Saleen did on some GT's with out body mods for Cali.

the thunder bolt was a bad ass truck i have a pic floating around somewhere
i dont have much to say on the saleen but hey who knows it may be real or it may be fake
.............. Who has steve saleens # call his a$$ he would know

if that's the case it's nothing of real value....the production saleen's are the ones you'd want and at that if you could find one of the SUPERCHARGED fox saleens those would be a catch as there were only a handfull produced with the S/C:)

That isn't the vin. The vin is in the car. This is a separate piece. Maybe it was the one that goes under the hood... Haha. I am posting this all for my buddy right now, and he said he had a plaque and that is what he gave me...

I love that truck..


Mjr 90 sc saleeen =badass i love the fox saleens

It still makes it rare... and it may be of some value...

like a few others
The NF-155

http://www.pickuptruck.com/IMAGES/au...fear/intro.jpg

The Saleen Ranger

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...4_831_full.jpg

The Thunderbolt Ranger

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/29/rearangleax3.jpg

89 SALEEN CA EDITION
 

I have some info that might help you in you question about your car. I saw that you posted questins about your car about 3 years ago and looks like no one can give you any info. I ran into your question because I'm looking at buying a 89 California Edition Saleen and I was trying to refresh my memory on these rare Saleens. Back in 1989 my buddy used to work for Fremont Ford in Nor Cal. There was a Ford car show at Sears Point. He asked me to go with him because he was taking his car to the show...but he had to drive a Saleen to his dealership also. When we got to Sears Point Raceway, it was an all Ford event. Car show, drag racing and auto crossing. On the hill in the backround was a mountain side full of white Saleen Mustangs. As I remember ...each dealership in Nor Cal was alotted one per dealership. At the end of the show/event...I drove the Saleen to my friends house while he drove his show car. As I remember, they were all white, grey interior, white mesh wheels, stock motor with the Racecraft Suspension and the "Racecraft Suspension" sticker with "by Steve Saleen" in turqouise, just like your pic. If I remeber correctly, it had the MOMO steering wheel and Saleen shifter. Other than that I don't remember any other upgrades. It's a cross between a GT and a Saleen...hope this info helps. At least you now know how your car got to the dealership!!

Ooops, also if my memory serves me right, GT ground effects with Saleen front bumper. There should be a production # on the front bumper, and LX taillights with the GT/LX tail...not the Saleen tail. Call Saleen with your VIN# and they should be able to cross ref it for you. Don't call Ford, they have no clue about these cars....most people don't. I have to call Saleen myself with the VIN of the one I'm looking at purchasing. Hope this info helps..

Slakkr183 is my good buddy. I will have to tell him to hop back on this thread.

So far from what I have seen they are just Stock GT body kit and everything with the Racecraft Suspension, 5.0 Emblem Delete... All of them are white, with gray interior, and I believe they all have sunroof.

I found a website with info on them for Gabe a few years ago and read there were 499 made in '89, and 500 made in '90.

I will try and find the website again. It was pretty neat.

I stand corrected, after looking at the car I want to buy....the car still has the GT lights with the GT ground effects all the way around and says "California Edition on the rear of the spoiler

Flossy is correct....GT with emblem delete, sunroof, and grey interiors. Production #'s are questionable, I have heard 50 and 500 in 89, not sure about in 1990. Not sure what is accurate. I do know there was not 500 at Sears Point that day I drove it. There was only 50 going out to Nor Cal dealerships....maybe more for So Cal ...Good luck

about your saleen edition 5.0
 

i know you posted this years ago, but i just purchased the same car. i have done extensive research on this car, it was a dealer option back in 89, unfortunately this dealer upgrade didnt get a special vin code.

the car debut was held at sears point raceway in California, they olny made 100 of these cars. the only thing that set them apart from the regular mustang gt's was the suspension, if there was anything added to your car like gears and such i don't think that was a option back then, im still research on the car, i have been comparing transmition's from other gt's, saleens, and cobra's and i think our cars came with the t-5 z transmition, it came with ball bearings instead of needle bearings and had different ratios and could handle more power.

if you have gathered any other info i would like to know

From what I have seen on Slakkr's, It looks to be a stock GT with just suspension that I know of. I am unsure about the Transmission. I do know that it is out of the car right now, if you have any questions about it, I can have him take a look. Any serial numbers or anything that would distinguish it being a T-5 Z other than pulling it apart?

Right now his car is getting a 347 stroker w/ ported GT40P heads, Ported Explorer intake, E303 cam, and headers.

Here are a few pictures from a few years ago...
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...0/IMG_2531.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...0/IMG_2528.jpg

You might want to very serious, inform him NOT to do that. He will be VERY disappointed. GT-40P heads are a very VERY mild upgrade for a stock 302, and the E303 cam is a piece of junk.

You need to inform your friend that his car (with a 347 stroker) should be using 185+CC heads, a MUCH larger cam, and a very high flowing intake. such as a Victor 5.0, TFS R series, Spyder EFI, or Victor EFI


If he wants to know why... have him come talk to me.

I have informed him... He said he will start off using this stuff until he can afford to get better stuff. I made a thread a while back and showed him it to prove to him that his "ported GT40P heads" are going to choke the engine.

I have a feeling he is going to want more when I dust him in my Formula.

If he wants more proof, have him look at the power ratings of the 95 Cobra R.

Its a 351w powered, GT-40 headed 300BHP making slug. Yes, that means less than 300 at the wheels. If he hasn't got the money to do the job right, tell him to focus on other things, instead of just pissing his money into the wind.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li...p0t6o1_500.gif

Why don't we keep this thread on track.

Holy old thread batman! LOLLLL I remember reading this 3 years ago!

I am also curious as to the outcome of this. Learned alot from reading this thread....3 years later.

Been a while since ive posted on here, i forgot my information to be honest... Anyways, in reply to the fact that i am potentially choking my engine with the e303 cam and gt40p set-up.. i could possibly understand the cam, however i do the have the heads and lower intake ported to match these gaskets( http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-5835/ ) i cant be choking it to bad.. can I? Btw i appreciate All the replies and information given to me on the California Edition information. Ill soon be calling Saleen to find out more about mine in particular. Ill keep you guys posted!

Ported or not, you are seriously hampering the performance of that engine with those heads. The general school of thought is that a 347 should have a 185cc or larger head on it. You heads are probably just breaking around 155cc... thats a HUGE difference.

Please refer back to the example I posted... the 1995 Cobra R. 351w, GT-40 heads. The car was rated at 300 BHP. That's flywheel HP!

Don't bother sinking ANY money into the GT-40 heads with that build. If you want it to perform better, you need a larger head. A good example is MJR46's car. IIRC he is running AFR185cc heads, Comp Cams XE282HR, and IDK what intake, on his 347. His car turns low 11 second runs with a gearset that doesn't belong under a N/A car. All through a T5 gearbox, so you know he isn't even banging on it!

If you do a 347 with GT40P's, the average h/c/i 302 fox will embarrass you. Hell, even the Honda Fanboys will laugh at you!