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  1. #1

    Default The 1985 Saleen Mustang

    In 1984 Steve Saleen began converting the Ford Mustang, into what he believed, was the ultimate road car. The concept was simple. Improve on the features that he felt Ford had overlooked. In 1984 Saleen was able to manufacturer three of his Saleen Mustangs. Stu Akers of Indiana currently owns all three examples. Two of the three have received full concourse restorations. The third, which was involved in terrible engine fire, is currently receiving the same restoration and is near completition.

    Enter the 1985 Saleen Mustang. This was the first full year of production for Saleen. As was the case with the three 1984 cars, Saleen concentrated on suspension, aerodynamics, driver comfort, and appearance. No engine modifications were made to the Saleen Mustangs until the unveiling of the 1989 SSC Saleen. With strict EPA guidelines, it was not until 1989 that Saleen was financially capable of having an upgraded engine EPA certified. However, one 1985 Saleen was shipped with a Paxton supercharger.

    In 1985 Saleen performed their conversion on a total of 140 Ford Mustangs. 138 hatchbacks, and 2 convertibles. It was not until 1987 that Saleen offered its conversion on the Ford Mustang coupe, of which, one was built.

    Below is a photo guide to the 1985 Saleen Mustang. Notes have been made to some of the equipment used, and many of the early 1985 cars were converted with equipment found on the three 1984 Saleen Mustangs.

    1985 #007 is the 4th Saleen built. This vehicle is a unrestored original, and is currently owned by Ken McDowell of Indiana. #007 was built with the three piece fiberglass front airdam found on the 1984 edition. It is also equipped with the taller, what many refer to as the Big Wing, 1984 rear spoiler. Standard 15" Hayashi wheels adorn #007. All 1985 Saleen Mustangs were equipped with the Saleen Racecraft suspension which consists of Bilstein shocks and struts, Racecraft specific rate springs, urethane sway bar bushings, and a K-member brace. Interior modifications consisted of a Wolf four spoke steering wheel, Cal-Custom leather shift knob, Saleen calibrated 170 MPH speedometer and tachometer overlay. Additional interior upgrades included a Saleen Mustang dash plaque found above the glovebox, and Saleen serialization plaque found on the ashtray door. A Escort radar detector and Cal-Custom Hawk security alarm system were also included in the conversion.





    1985 #017 is a fully restored, MCA concourse winning, Saleen Mustang owned by Marc Allen of Indiana. As is the case with #007, this Saleen is also equipped with the 1984 three piece airdam, and rear spoiler. Standard 15" Hayashi wheels, and un-common, LX lowback, cloth seating. Note the ten bolt Wolf steering wheel. In 1985 Saleen offered two optional stereo units, a Sanyo or Kenwood. A few were also shipped with the factory equipped Ford Premium Sound system. In mid 1985 Saleen dropped the Sanyo stereo option, and for the rest of 1985 and the complete year of 1986, Kenwood was the optional stereo supplier for Saleen.







    1985 #049 is a T-Top version with the ultra rare LX lowback vinyl seating. #049 was the Saleen owned by our late friend Gary Alsobrooks, and forum member (Bigwing). #049 still resides in the Alsobrooks family and as shown was built with the 1984 Big Wing spoiler, and the 1984 three piece front airdam was replaced with the 1985 three piece urethane version. Note the center bulge of the 1985 version where as the 1984 has a vertical drop over the entire front end. #049 was built and shipped with the standard 15" Hayashi wheels in gold. She was photographed with optional wheels. Clear headlight covers were part of the Saleen conversion and early editions were held on with Velcro strips, and were later replaced with metal tabbed clip on versions that were much more likely to stay in place at speed.





    1985 #021 is the first Saleen built with a supercharger and is currently owned by Stu Akers of Indiana. This Saleen is also equipped with the T-Top option as well as the lowback SVO leather seating option.









    1985 #109 is a fully restored, MCA concourse winning, Saleen owned by Ken McDowell of Indiana also. Lots of nice four eyes in Indiana! This Saleen is equipped with all features that make a 1985 Saleen Mustang. Three piece urethane airdam, second generation rear spoiler that would remain unchanged through the end of 1986, side skirts, and rear spats. Decal kit, 16" optional Enkei wheels, and all items found in the Saleen interior conversion.







    The last Saleen is 1985 #116 owned by Marc Allen of Indiana also. This Saleen is a 17K mile, unrestored, original. Again, this is what many feel is the common 1985 Saleen. If there was one. All the pieces are there, including the common for 1985 Lier-Siegler sport seats found in the Mustang GT.







    As stated earlier, the 1985 Saleen Mustang was the companies first full year of production. Hence, many of the earlier cars were equipped with pieces found on the three 1984 cars. Many of the early 1986 Saleen Mustangs were built and shipped with 1985 pieces. After the first few cars were built in 1986, Saleen had settled on a standard package, more or less.
    Last edited by mardis; 02-16-2009 at 12:33 PM.
    Take care,
    Mark

    1985 Saleen #115 T-Top-SOLD
    1989 Saleen Convertible #080
    2002 Saleen S281 SC Convertible #664
    Saleen Club of America-North Central Region Director
    Saleen Club of America-General Store Manager

  2. #2

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    Awesome, just plain AWESOME

  3. #3
    FEP Power Member 02Z06's Avatar
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    WOW! Great information, thanks for posting this. I absolutely love that blue car.
    Chris Lott
    '81 Cobra T-Top - Black
    '85 Dominator GT - Black, 24k miles
    '85 Predator GT302R #150R - Light Regatta Blue
    '85 Predator GT302 Convertible #119 - White w/blue stripes For Sale
    '86 Texas DPS Mustang (Unit # unknown) - undergoing resto

  4. #4

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    Thanks for the great info and pics.

  5. #5
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    I need your photo archive Mark!!!
    Those are just incredible!
    1986 (2A) Saleen #120.

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    FEP Super Member sowaxeman's Avatar
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    Nice documetary there Mr. Sweet However I THINK Marc Allens unrestored 17k mile car (my future four-eye Saleen) is actually #116. I'll have to double check my records as you can't tell in pictures as it had the bumper numbers deleted.

    Yep - #116. Must have been a slip of the finger as I'm guessing you knew it was the next number in succession from yours ;-)
    Last edited by sowaxeman; 02-16-2009 at 11:33 AM.
    Jason Smith
    MCA #65481

    '82 Capri RS Resto-Mod
    '88 #400 Saleen Coupe "Mean Machine" Legal Guardian
    '93 LX Yellow/Black Summer Feature - 2,800 Mile Original Survivor (Foxtoberfest 2019 Best Original 87-93)
    '05 S-281 Mineral Grey

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by sowaxeman View Post
    Nice documetary there Mr. Sweet However I THINK Marc Allens unrestored 17k mile car (my future four-eye Saleen) is actually #116. I'll have to double check my records as you can't tell in pictures as it had the bumper numbers deleted.

    Yep - #116. Must have been a slip of the finger as I'm guessing you knew it was the next number in succession from yours ;-)

    Honestly my friend, I thought it was #116, then I double checked the 1985 Registry that Marc and Gary were working on, and Marc has this car listed as #117. Now that you mention it, you are correct. Edit made.

    Thank you to all for the kind words. I have a great passion for photography, and an even greater one for the Saleen Mustangs. This is a great group, and I thought I would share all that I can.
    Take care,
    Mark

    1985 Saleen #115 T-Top-SOLD
    1989 Saleen Convertible #080
    2002 Saleen S281 SC Convertible #664
    Saleen Club of America-North Central Region Director
    Saleen Club of America-General Store Manager

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    FEP Super Member escogt's Avatar
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    Love the 1985 model year for ALL Fox's. Saleen's are so very special to me. I'd like to own one myself someday. Thanks for sharing.
    '85GT Bright Atlantic Blue
    '92LX Bimini Blue-sold
    '93 COBRA Teal Metallic-sold
    '86SVO Oxford White-sold
    '86GT 'Vert True Blue-sold
    '81'GT' Medium Red-sold

  9. #9
    FEP Power Member myler's Avatar
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    Wow i've wanted one of those for so long. I want to see a bigger picture of the engine in that #21 car. Is there a carb box in there?
    1985 Mustang GT:
    347 stroker
    Holley 750 double pumper
    xe274hr comp cam
    Victor jr. intake
    RPM aluminum heads
    roller rockers
    equal length shorty headers
    electric fan
    afco aluminum radiator
    american thunder series flowmasters
    pace setter off road h-pipe
    chrome OEM cobra rims

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by myler View Post
    Wow i've wanted one of those for so long. I want to see a bigger picture of the engine in that #21 car. Is there a carb box in there?
    Hope this one helps you out my brother. Let me know.


    Take care,
    Mark

    1985 Saleen #115 T-Top-SOLD
    1989 Saleen Convertible #080
    2002 Saleen S281 SC Convertible #664
    Saleen Club of America-North Central Region Director
    Saleen Club of America-General Store Manager

  11. #11
    FEP Power Member 02Z06's Avatar
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    What are the color breakdowns for the '85 Saleens? Any idea?
    Chris Lott
    '81 Cobra T-Top - Black
    '85 Dominator GT - Black, 24k miles
    '85 Predator GT302R #150R - Light Regatta Blue
    '85 Predator GT302 Convertible #119 - White w/blue stripes For Sale
    '86 Texas DPS Mustang (Unit # unknown) - undergoing resto

  12. #12

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    This following information is taken from the book: The History and Development of the Saleen Mustang, written by Patti Redeker.

    48 Black Hatchbacks
    35 White Hatchbacks
    1 White Convert.
    25 Red Hatchbacks
    5 Grey Hatchbacks
    1 Blue Convert.
    6 Blue Hatchbacks
    1 Maroon Hatchback
    2 Brown Hatchbacks
    1 Dark Green Hatchback
    1 Light Blue Hatchback

    Note this does not add up to the 140 Saleens produced. Sometime, between the writing of Patti's book in 1993, and the 20 Years of the Saleen Mustang book released in 2004 by Brad Bowling, 14 other Saleen Mustangs were found to exist and are recorded in the Saleen Registry. Not positive of the colors, and hopefully another member can help out.
    Take care,
    Mark

    1985 Saleen #115 T-Top-SOLD
    1989 Saleen Convertible #080
    2002 Saleen S281 SC Convertible #664
    Saleen Club of America-North Central Region Director
    Saleen Club of America-General Store Manager

  13. #13
    FEP Power Member 02Z06's Avatar
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    Wow! I would love to have one of the Blue, Brown or Green ones. I love the odd colors. I've never seen any of those colors up for sale.
    Chris Lott
    '81 Cobra T-Top - Black
    '85 Dominator GT - Black, 24k miles
    '85 Predator GT302R #150R - Light Regatta Blue
    '85 Predator GT302 Convertible #119 - White w/blue stripes For Sale
    '86 Texas DPS Mustang (Unit # unknown) - undergoing resto

  14. #14
    FEP Super Member sowaxeman's Avatar
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    The green one actually changed hands between a few different people in one year back in the mid 90's.....I know because I told the owner I wanted it if he ever sold but I missed the boat

    Its now with an avid collector and probably grounded for life








    White, Red, and Black were the standard color options for '85. The others were optional at order.
    Last edited by sowaxeman; 11-12-2018 at 04:58 PM.
    Jason Smith
    MCA #65481

    '82 Capri RS Resto-Mod
    '88 #400 Saleen Coupe "Mean Machine" Legal Guardian
    '93 LX Yellow/Black Summer Feature - 2,800 Mile Original Survivor (Foxtoberfest 2019 Best Original 87-93)
    '05 S-281 Mineral Grey

  15. #15
    FEP Power Member myler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mardis View Post
    Hope this one helps you out my brother. Let me know.


    That is awesome! I want it. Wonder how much i can get for my body.
    1985 Mustang GT:
    347 stroker
    Holley 750 double pumper
    xe274hr comp cam
    Victor jr. intake
    RPM aluminum heads
    roller rockers
    equal length shorty headers
    electric fan
    afco aluminum radiator
    american thunder series flowmasters
    pace setter off road h-pipe
    chrome OEM cobra rims

  16. #16
    FEP Member Not4you's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mardis View Post
    This following information is taken from the book: The History and Development of the Saleen Mustang, written by Patti Redeker.

    48 Black Hatchbacks
    35 White Hatchbacks
    1 White Convert.
    25 Red Hatchbacks
    5 Grey Hatchbacks
    1 Blue Convert.
    6 Blue Hatchbacks
    1 Maroon Hatchback
    2 Brown Hatchbacks
    1 Dark Green Hatchback
    1 Light Blue Hatchback

    Note this does not add up to the 140 Saleens produced. Sometime, between the writing of Patti's book in 1993, and the 20 Years of the Saleen Mustang book released in 2004 by Brad Bowling, 14 other Saleen Mustangs were found to exist and are recorded in the Saleen Registry. Not positive of the colors, and hopefully another member can help out.
    anyone know the breakdown of the 25 red hatchbacks - how many Jalapeno Red vs the brighter red??

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Not4you View Post
    anyone know the breakdown of the 25 red hatchbacks - how many Jalapeno Red vs the brighter red??
    I may be incorrect but I believe Jalapeno red was the only bright red offering in 85. the darker red was Med. Canyon red (which was more maroon than red). As far as saleen breakdowns go, you most likely would have to contact Saleen directly to find out if they have a general color breakdown for early cars. The "redeker" book mentioned above is the only book published with any color breakdown information that I am aware of for Saleen.
    1986 (2A) Saleen #120.

  18. #18
    FEP Super Member sowaxeman's Avatar
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    That is correct....doesn't get any brighter red than jalepeno Medium Canyon was the darker, almost a rusty burgandy color and it is also metallic where as jalepeno was not.

    This be Jalapeno....Red, or Bright Red as it was referred:


    This be Medium Canyon......Maroon, Burgandy or Dark Red as it was referred:
    Last edited by sowaxeman; 05-29-2009 at 12:56 PM.
    Jason Smith
    MCA #65481

    '82 Capri RS Resto-Mod
    '88 #400 Saleen Coupe "Mean Machine" Legal Guardian
    '93 LX Yellow/Black Summer Feature - 2,800 Mile Original Survivor (Foxtoberfest 2019 Best Original 87-93)
    '05 S-281 Mineral Grey

  19. #19
    FEP Member Not4you's Avatar
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    thanks for the clarification. so in the breakdown above in this thread, are the 25 all Jalapeno and the 1 listed as Maroon is the same color as the vert in this picture (Med.Crayon)?? Or does the 25 red split between Jalapeno and Med.Crayon and the 1 maroon is something different?

  20. #20

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    Regular production colors available from Ford in the '85 model year:

    Black (1C)
    Bright Red (2R)
    Dark Clove Brown Metallic (8Y)
    Dark Sage (4E)
    Dark Slate Metallic (4M)
    Light Regatta Blue Metallic (3V)
    Medium Canyon Red Metallic (2A)
    Medium Charcoal Metallic (1B)
    Midnight Blue Metallic (3L)
    Oxford White (9L)
    Sand Beige (8L)
    Silver Metallic (1E)
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    WOW!!! Nice post, I didn't know anything about the Saleen Fox Mustang until now...WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE!!!!

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Not4you View Post
    thanks for the clarification. so in the breakdown above in this thread, are the 25 all Jalapeno and the 1 listed as Maroon is the same color as the vert in this picture (Med.Crayon)?? Or does the 25 red split between Jalapeno and Med.Crayon and the 1 maroon is something different?
    No, the 25 listed should be all Japeno red cars. The Maroon listing is for the lone med canyon red car.
    1986 (2A) Saleen #120.

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    FEP Member Not4you's Avatar
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    Okay, thanks.

    I guess my next question is where do I find a tiny bottle of touch-up paint - all the Ford dealerships near me say they can't get it anymore ...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Not4you View Post
    Okay, thanks.

    I guess my next question is where do I find a tiny bottle of touch-up paint - all the Ford dealerships near me say they can't get it anymore ...
    Find an automotive paint supply store local to you. Most have the ability to scan the current color on your car and mix paint based on that. The one here in Denver sells it in amounts starting at 1 pint and will put it in a spray can if desired.

    You may also want to check some of the mustang restoration sites. I believe some of them still carry the correct paint colors for touch up.
    1986 (2A) Saleen #120.

  25. #25
    FEP Super Member sowaxeman's Avatar
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    paintscratch.com is your friend I have bought two different colors from them and have been VERY pleased. The Mineral Grey for my '05 S-281 was perfect, as was the Rave Red for my wife's '08 Mits Eclipse.

    I am about to buy some '82 Medium Red for my '82 GT just to have in case.
    Jason Smith
    MCA #65481

    '82 Capri RS Resto-Mod
    '88 #400 Saleen Coupe "Mean Machine" Legal Guardian
    '93 LX Yellow/Black Summer Feature - 2,800 Mile Original Survivor (Foxtoberfest 2019 Best Original 87-93)
    '05 S-281 Mineral Grey

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