Light Regatta Blue '85 GT302R

[02Z06]

This forum hasn't had much love in a while, so I thought I'd make a post about my '85 GT302R and maybe stir up some predator conversation.

I picked this car up a few months ago, I had been chasing it for probably 2-3 years. I've always loved the LRB cars, and to me the LRB Predator was kind of the ultimate. I'd like to have the '85 Saleen in the same color to park right next to it! Anyway, a little history lesson:

There were roughly 12 or so '85 GT302R cars built, and roughly 6 or so of those were hardtops. "R" model cars received fiberglass shelby scooped hoods and underdrive pullies, as well as 3.73 or 4.10 gears. This particular car has 3.73s. Most GT302Rs were ordered with quite a few upgrades (many had intakes, cams, different rockers) but this car was purchased new by a woman who wasn't interested in adding any performance extras. The GT302R package on this car was $5500, on top of the $12,674 list price making this an $18,174 car. Quite expensive for a mustang back then. Like all predators, this car has the 4 point cage and this particular one was ordered with the CenterLine style wheels rather than the more common Carrol Shelby 8-spokes or 4-spoke ET Mags.

The car needs a full restoration, but is 100% rust free and is all original even wearing the original exhaust system. Hopefully someday I'll be able to have a concours job done on it, and maybe track down a LRB Saleen to park next to it. Here are some pictures:

[Mr. Squirrel]

that is one beautiful car you have there. love the color and it sure would be nice to see what the end result would look like when your done restoring it someday. also, how do you do it with all those cars you own. do you own a mega garage to pack all those cars. my wife would of killed me if I had that many cars in the garage. Also, how did you track this car down. was it thru word of mouth or just knowing this person for such a long time

[mattquerio]

That looks like a really well preserved car. Thank goodness it was kept out of the weather, I'm guessing by the low production numbers, and between the options, the wheels, and the color this must be a 1 of 1 car. I love light regatta blue on any 4 eye, I can't wait to see this thing restored. I have also never seen the centerline wheels on a Predator, what other wheels were available besides the 8 spoke, and the 4 spoke wheels? Either way, glad it's in your hands where it's safe and sound

[02Z06]

Mr. Squirrel -
I'm lucky to have access to a couple of garages including my own, so I have a good bit of enclosed storage. I knew the previous owner of the blue car, and told him I wanted the car if he ever sold. Just through being persistent and good timing I ended up being able to purchase the car.

Mattquerio -
It is undoubtedly a 1 of 1 car, but most predators are. They could be ordered with so many different options that they are all unique. When Solomon was building them, if you ordered one he would build it just the way you wanted. A friend of mine has a picture of his showroom/office with some of the parts in it. There's probably 3 different kinds of air cleaners on the walls, a couple different valve covers, chrome and regular roll bars, probably 5 different kinds of wheels, multiple camshafts and intakes, etc etc. One '84 car (if I recall correctly) had sidepipes, there was even an '85 Predator built with a 429 in it. One SVO was built as well as one Capri. I've seen pictures of cars with at least 3 different brands of ground-effects kits, each car kind of had its own style. That's what makes them so neat, is that you never know what you are going to find.

[tORMENtOR]

Wow what a find Chris,glad to see its in the right hands and will get restored. I happen to love the Regatta Blue. Goodluck with the resto and keep us updated on the progress I know you will.
Btw are there any T-top Predators or Dominators outhere? I did see the 84Anny Dominator T-top any others,that's one I would like to get my hands on.

[magnum517]

Very cool!! Ok not to sound ignorant, but who built the Predators and Dominators, did not even know of them till this post!! Were they Shelby built or outsourced?

[02Z06]

They were not shelby built, but many of the parts are shelby or modified shelby parts, and it's believed Tom Solomon (who built the predators) knew shelby and might have had some input from him.

Evil8286 - There were T-Top Predators, my '85 GT302 is a T-Top car. It was ordered with the SVO seats front and back, the 4 spoke ET Mag wheels, and a host of performance options:

[bluesfannoz]

Love the Car Chris.. But you already new that... You guys need to put together a Predator Reunion!! Hint.. Hint..

[02Z06]

I hear ya, I've been talking to Orlando about getting a meet together. It's just a matter of finding a time when everyone can do it! Maybe we can plan a Dominator/Predator show sometime next year, that would be neat.

[Mr. Squirrel]

let me know if its in Austin. I will be there with my 85 ltd lx if its all ford but if its only that Dominator/Predator show then I will be there to hang out with all those rare cars. that will be one heck of a show and it would be nice to see some of the new ones out there with the orignals that got it all started. Let me know how much it is and I will be there

[bluesfannoz]

We really should plan a Predator/Dominator Get Together.

[mb84gt]

Dang Chris, that is one sweet car. It will look fantastic restored.

I hope those crazy splash guards stay.

[02Z06]

Thanks for the compliments Matt! Are you going to swing by the Mustang show in August?

[mb84gt]

Thanks for the compliments Matt! Are you going to swing by the Mustang show in August?

I must have missed the info. I will try to locate a link.

[bluesfannoz]

Were are having a Dominator Reunion at Fordfest August 29th

http://www.midwestfordfest.com

[mb84gt]

Thanks for the link Steve.

Hopefully, my schedule will be open and I can go.

Chris, are you bringing both Dominators up?

[02Z06]

That's the plan. Looks like I'm renting 2 enclosed trailers, unless I can find someone down here who will rent me one big enough to haul both cars. Either way, they will both be there!

[sowaxeman]

There was only one LRB Saleen built, and you have seen the pics of it after is VERY detailed, ground up restoration. I'm sure that car won't become available until the current owners will is read aloud Good luck with the resto when you get started

[mossybull]

don't do anything to that car except for selling it to me!seriously,sell or trade this to me.

[02Z06]

Jason, wasn't there a couple LRB saleens built in '85? There is 85-017 that Marc did the resto on, but there was also 85-042 that sold at auction earlier this year. It was apparently a blue '85, and was supercharged (not from saleen). The current owner of 86-063 purchased the car. I'd still like to see pictures of that one. I'd be fine with either!

[Blue86]

Very nice!

[sowaxeman]

To my knowledge, there was only 1 LRB Saleen in 85...the other 2 or 3 were a darker blue, available on the non GT cars.

Here is the breakdown from The Saleen Book:

48 Black Hatchbacks
35 White Hatchbacks
1 White Convert.
25 Red Hatchbacks (Jalapeno)
5 Grey Hatchbacks
1 Blue Convert. (darker blue)
6 Blue Hatchbacks (darker blue)
1 Maroon Hatchback (Med. Canyon)
2 Brown Hatchbacks
1 Dark Green Hatchback
1 Light Blue Hatchback (LRB)

[02Z06]

Wow, very cool Jason. I have never seen a picture of the darker blue '85s, which is strange because there are pictures of the LRB, Brown, and Green floating around. You don't have a picture of one of the darker blue cars stashed anywhere do you?

[sowaxeman]

No I don't....have never seen the color myself either. In fact, I don't know that I have ever seen the darker shade of blue on any 'stang as offered back then I have seen brown mustangs and all the other colors...but never seen the darker blue or the forrest green (except on that one Saleen)

[sowaxeman]

Here you go Chris....final found it http://scoatalk.saleenclubofamerica....php?f=7&t=4472

There are pics of the one and only '85 Saleen vert done....in Shadow Blue Metallic. As I suspected, this color is a similar shade to the darker blue in the later 80's and early 90's cars.