I just joined this forum and read archived discussions about folks "making" Saleens and trying to pass them off as real. We have the opposite problem. We have a REAL 1990 Saleen. We tracked it, through Carfax, and found out it was totalled in Illinois in 1999, issued a Salvage title and then, a few months later issued a rebuilt title(same state) and a new VIN#. Because of this new VIN#, Saleen refuses to recognize this as THAT original Saleen - even though 88% of the vehicle is original (with the orig. Vin on some parts and original front bumper with a shadow where car number used to be). We have brought this to 'stang rally's,(placed 3rd at one meet), have had Saleen mechanics work on it, etc. We know there are replacements(rear wing, for example) but after viewing the suspension, brake system and tranny(nothing GT or LX about it), everyone concedes it's the real deal - not to mention the entire interior is original! How do we convince Saleen to recognize this as the same car that they have listed as totalled and destroyed in 1999? A friend of ours spoke to Liz at Saleen - I don't know what he said to her but when she heard it had a different VIN# she said "It's a clone". All answers and advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

A new VIN? Hmmmm. If you can show documentation of the entire ordeal to Liz, Saleen might see things your way. Look at it from Saleens perspective. As far as they know, if the VIN is different, it wasn't original. Documentation might help.
________
02 S281E

 

I concur

 

just another case of saleen's awesome customer service[:'(]. but that is really odd, just keep trying[&:]

 

oh by the way, my saleen was totaled in 2002 and I bought it in 2003 in its crashed state, we contacted saleen and they recognized it and we got most of the parts, but then i ran out of money so it has a few things like cobra r rims that make it not look like a saleen. makes me sad, I'm constantly opening the hood to show ppl the plaque, ppl still no believe me cuz im 18. but keep trying

 

I agree with Birdie, try faxing them all the documents that you have and see what they say about that, especially if you have a paper stating that the original vin# was "xxx" and it has been given a new vin# of "xxx". Good luck

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the benefit of Saleen "recognizing" your car?

I've ordered some parts from Saleen and they never asked for my VIN. I've had mine for about a year (2001) and had to have warranty work done on it so I know Saleen recognizes it but I didn't know that there were other issues outside of warranty issues. Thanks!

 

im about to get warranty work done, but yeah- i dont understand the issue with being recognized. i never got a letter in the mail.
people are ignorant out there. dont worry about what people think. i hate opening up my hood to show people a damn SEAL.
they are gonna believe what they want to because they are HATERS.
ive even had people laugh at my car and i swear they were thinking that MY name was Saleen.
ummm- NO!

you should be able to order parts though.
i dont think you can get your old VIN # back since the new VIN# contains the vehicle history.

as far as im concerned. my insurance company says my Saleen is a GT. so im like F it.
dont want to pay any higher insurance then i have to- ya know!