Performance Autosport is proud to present 3 of the Saleen’s R-models were built in Livonia, Michigan, for 1988 and ’89. These were produced from stock Ford Mustangs, 88-0019R, 88-0020R, and 88-0021R (for ’88) and 89-0019R and 89-0020R (for ’89) received the most hidden modifications of all Saleen R-models. After purchasing them from Ford, the race team stripped the Mustang LX bodies and dipped them in acid to remove all paint and undercoating. The factory’s weak spot welds were replaced with a stronger stitch pattern. This “seam sealing” process made the flimsy Fox chassis much firmer without adding weight. The Saleen race cars were used extensively to promote the company’s limited-edition street models. When they weren’t on the track, they were at Ford dealerships and industry shows, making a visible statement about Steve Saleen’s involvement in motorsports competition. Today, every R-model is well documented and accounted for.
Welded rollcages for the 1988-’89 cars further increased chassis stiffness, providing a strong foundation for the suspension tuning. SCCA allowed Saleen to upgrade its wheel/tire package in these years, which is why the cars wore 8.0-inch-wide wheels all around with different offset in front to create a wider stance for better handling. Tires were General XP-2000s with a special “G” (for “gooey”) compound ” technically street rubber, but not really. Tire size was also “improved” because the G model that measured 245/50/16 (front) and 255/50/16 (rear) was actually slightly wider than the same-size street tires. The tires placed on the vehicles were a DOT legal race tire that was very sticky compound. The fenders were stretched and pounded to accommodate the larger tire.

The 1988-’89 race car engines were spectacular pieces of equipment that cost about $10,000 each. Saleen purchased its stock-looking 5.0-liter V-8s from engine builder Dave Dixon. Dixon’s recipe for Mustang power included prototype GT40 heads (ported and shotpeened with stock Ford casting numbers to avoid detection), a high-RPM camshaft, and production Taurus rocker arms with different ratios. At the crankshaft, these serial-numbered powerplants turned out 300 horsepower ” about 260 to 270 at the wheel. (To compare, the stock 5.0-liter Saleen Mustang street car produced 200 to 205 at the wheel.) Engine management computers could not be modified, so Saleen’s crew ran one dyno pull after another with different boxes until a few exceptional performers were found.
Standard Mustang headers received extensive porting for better flow, and the Saleen race cars used Ford Motorsports H-pipes (minus catalytic converters) and DynoMax mufflers.
Transmissions were stock ” but blueprinted ” T-5 five-speeds. Rear axles either used 3.55:1 or 3.27:1 gears, but Saleen had some wiggle room because changing between 245/50 and 255/50 rear tires affected the final ratio for optimum performance.

Speedometers were not active in the R-models, but the tachometers were calibrated to be as accurate as possible to keep drivers out of the 6,800-RPM redline. Bracketry for the rear seat was removed; the cushions were held in place by bungee cords. Because drivers tended to push each other around on the track, Saleen’s aerodynamic pieces were attached with industrial-grade pop rivets.

Although the 1988-’89 R-models did not bring home a championship, they are mechanically the best of the best in terms of performance and endurance.

Race history for 1988-1989
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1988 #19 R

Drivers
-Steve Saleen
-George Follomer
-Pete Halsmer
-Kees Nierop
-Bobby & Tommy archer

Race History Chassis # 0019R

SCCA Escort Endurance Series Races Entered

1. 4/22/88- Sears Point- Steve Saleen and George Follmer- 2^nd Place

2. 6/11/88- Portland- Steve Saleen and Pete Halsmer- 3^rd Place

3. 7/16/88- Brainerd International- Steve Saleen and Kees Nierop- 3^rd Place

4. 8/13/88- Mosport 24 Hours- Steve Saleen, Bobby and Tommy Archer- 1^st Place

5. 8/27/88- Elkhart Lake- Steve Saleen, Pete Halsmer, and Rick Titus- 5^th Place

6. 9/3/88- Road Atlanta- Steve Saleen and George Follmer- 3^rd Place

7. 9/24/88- Mid-Ohio- Steve Saleen, Bobby and Tommy Archer- 2^nd Place

8. 10/29/88- Seabring- Steve Saleen Bobby Archer- 38^th Place

1988 #21 R

Drivers
-Rick Titus
-Calvin Fish
-David Helwig
-George Follomer
-Kees Nierop
-Leon Duarte
-Fabrio Greco

Race History Chassis # 0021R

SCCA Escort Endurance Series Races Entered

1. 4/22/88- Sears Point- Rick Titus and Calvin Fish- 4^th Place

2. 6/11/88- Portland- Rick Titus and Calvin Fish- 6^th Place

3. 7/16/88- Brainerd- Rick Titus and David Hellweg- 27^th Place

4. 8/13/88- Mossport 24 Hour- Rick Titus, David Hellweg, George Follmer, and Kees Neirop- 2^nd Place

5. 8/27/88- Elkhart Lake- David Hellweg, Leon Durate and Fabio Greco- 22^nd Place

6. 9/3/88- Road Atlanta- Fabio Greco and David Hellweg- 34^th Place

7. 9/24/88- Mid-Ohio- Rick Titus, Fabio Greco and David Hellweg- 4^th Place

8. 10/29/88- Sebring- Fabio Greco and Leon Durate- Disqualified

In 1988, The Saleen Factory Team finished second over all in the SCCA Escort Series.

1989 #19 R

Drivers
-Calvin Fish
-Kees Nierop
-Paul Dallenbach
-Dorsey Schroder

Race History Chassis # 0019R

SCCA Escort Endurance Series Races Entered

1. 7/15/89- Mid-Ohio 12 Hour

2. 7/22/89- Brainerd

3. 8/4/89 and 8/5/89- Lime Rock

4. 8/12/89 and 8/13/89- Mossport

5. 9/9/89 and 9/10/89- Road Atlanta

6. 9/90- Virginia City Hill Climb

7. 9/91- Virgina City Hill Climb

8. 1991- Minnesota Nationals

In 1989, the SCCA Escort Endurance Series, #0019R was placed sixth after five rounds.

Please contact Performance Autosport on any questions you have on the race car lot listed for sale.  Call for price.

Contact Owner:

• Name: Call PAS
• Phone: 804-358-2505
• Email: mark@performanceautosport.com