Saleen S351: The Wild Mustang That transformed American Muscle

The Saleen S351 is more than a mere car, but a testament to raw American power and inspired creativity. The Saleen S351 was produced in the 90s pluses, when the Mustang was already a household name and yet the Saleen S351 leapt to a whole new level. To muscle car enthusiasts in the United States, this model signified more than horsepower and torque, it signified exclusivity, high-quality construction (craftsmanship) and a racing heritage that would turn heads in the street and on the track. Mention the Saleen S351, and you refer to one of the most classic Mustangs to be ever tuned in terms of appearance and performance.

In this paper we shall dive deep in the history, engineering, design and long legacy of the Saleen S351. We will delve into its engine specification, its interior detailing and what it is that makes it the legend today amongst collectors.

The Saleen S351 Birth is born.

The Saleen S351 has a history that started with Steve Saleen who was a professional racer as an individual and turned out to be an entrepreneur. Already by the middle of 1980s, Saleen Automotive had established a brand of modifying the Ford Mustangs by enhancing their performance and making them aerodynamic. Nevertheless, the S351 which was launched in 1994 was a completely different level. The S351 differed from the previous Saleen Mustangs in that it did not use modified stock engines (as per the V6 engines on the Ax Bandit/GT), but instead used a Saleen produced 351 cubic inch (5.8L) engine used in place of the factory supplied V8 engine. This radical action distinguished the S351 amongst the ordinary Ford products, making its high performance car with its identity.

Saleen S351 Engine Specifications

The core of the Saleen S351 was a power plant by which it got its name the 351 cubic inch Windsor V8. This engine was a masterpiece of engineering of the muscle car since it was constructed and tuned manually by Saleen engineers.

Engine Specifications:

Engine Type: 351 cu in (5.8L) Saleen-built V8
Horsepower: 371 hp naturally aspirated; 480+ hp with optional supercharger
Torque: Up to 490 lb-ft (supercharged versions)
Transmission: 5-speed manual (Tremec)
0-60 mph: Around 4.6 seconds (supercharged)
Top Speed: 180 mph (estimated for higher-output models)

Auto fans were shocked. Not a striped Mustang, it was a purebred muscle car and could hold its own against the European exotics and still keep its American heritage intact. Saleen S351 rapidly turned out to be the new torchship of the enterprise.

The raw numbers were not the only thing that made the Saleen S351 special, it was the fact that they were micro-tuned. Equipped with a supercharger variation, the car was producing close to 500 horsepower whereas the Corvette was just about able to achieve 300 hp. This was unbelievable in the 1990s.

Automotive journalist Patrick Bedard echoed this assessment by saying that, quoting from his article:

The Saleen S351 demonstrated that American tuners could take muscle cars and make them perform like the best European and Japanese performance machines.

External Design and Aerodynamics

Saleen S351 was aggressive but elegant in respect to its design. Saleen did not apply some cosmetic modifications to the Mustang. Instead, he redesigned the body of the car, paying attention to its functional aerodynamic features. It acquired a unique personality with a new front fascia, side skirts, rear spoiler and custom wheels.

This position was lower, broader and more intent than a stock Mustang. Each scoop and vent had its usage, such as cooling that engine down and keeping the car stabilized at high speeds. The Saleen emblazoning over the windshield was timeless, a quick signal to exclusivity.

Saleen S351 found the optimal point of interface with the world of muscle cars and modern design, a fact commented on by collectors today.

Interior Design: Technology in Delivering Comfort and Performance

The interior of the Saleen S351 provided a cabin that was as aggressive as its outside calling and was full of driver enhancements. Saleen substituted stock Mustang interior with custom built leather Recaro buckets that gave hold when driving it hard. The interior was subtly Saleen-branded with white-faced gauges and special, serial-number plaques to stress exclusivity.

Although, it still kept the Mustang car basic layout, the environment of the car improved the experience. The drivers also felt that they are not sitting in a tuned Mustang, but in some sort of limited-run supercar meant to be driven by real enthusiasts.

The combination of performance oriented seats, Saleen specific steering wheel and higher quality materials made sure that the Saleen s351 was not all about speed but a package where one will have an interesting driving atmosphere.

Performance/driving on the road

The Saleen S351 was not a curse about L-line speed alone. The car had a re-engineered suspension, high specification brakes and chassis tuned to perfection and as a result it had superb, even by modern standards, handling. Saleen Racecraft suspension dropped the ride height and increased the sharp estate skills. When equipped with bigger disc brakes and performance tires it was able to stop and turn with the same confidence as one would be to accelerate.

Adventurers tended to work up the ride, with adjectives like raw and rewarding. It commanded admiration of the driver yet it paid back with performance that was match-less within its contemporaries among American cars. The supercharged variant was extremely powerful and almost unstoppable in the open road.

Market Value/Collectibility

The Saleen S351 today commands a cult following on the collector scene in the US. The rareness and profile of unique engineering parts make it a much-sought-after asset of muscle car history. Conventionally sold between 50,000 to 100,000 and more depending on originality and condition, and particularly rare well -preserved supercharged versions.

To its fans the S351 is an automotive memoir of the 1990s time capsule of performance-car American ingenuity.

A Saleen S351 Legacy

The impact of the Saleen S351 is not limited by production totals. It was able to show that the American tuners are capable of producing vehicles not only fast but also sophisticated and competitive on a worldwide level. Its success contributed to cementing Saleen and the beginning of other models such as the Saleen S281 and the Saleen S7 supercar.

The Saleen S351 is even to this day, one of the benchmarks of what a high-performance Mustang could be, when passion, engineering and exclusivity are involved.

Summary

More than a car, the Saleen S351 was a revolution when it came to American muscle performance. It was an icon of the 1990s with its hand built engine, tough styling, and race derived tuning. And who can forget its V8 thunder, the custom interior and every detail of the car spoke about the vision of Steve Saleen on how to make the Mustang even greater.

To the American enthusiasts, Saleen S351 is a tear opener to the good old days; the day when everything, performance, and styling, and rarity was done to make one of the best Mustangs imaginable. Even nowadays, it still remains an inspiration to tuners, enthusiasts and muscle car lovers all over the country.