1989 Saleen #50 Foxbody Mustang Surfaces - 1990's Mods Galore!

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We're documenting the preservation and restoration of 1989 #Saleen #50. Follow along as we work to get this #Foxbody #Mustang running again and preserve it for future generations. The car has had a #1993 #Cobra motor swapped in and has a laundry list of typical 1990's and early 2000's modifications.
Foxbody Saleen's have grown in value in recent yers and cars like this are surfacing so they can be restored and driven again. Subscribe to follow along on what we do to get this car running again.

[@michaelyount3176]

Can't wait for the first start video!

[@boostedsaleen6146]

Nice

[@jayronca9463]

Cool history, G! Regarding the Q you posed of what to do with it...a solid car like that I'm a fan of addressing only what needs to be fixed and leaving original stuff alone. It's like antique furniture...some of the blemishes from use (i.e. driving) are part of the beauty of being vintage. Paint correct the car, paint the roof and window trim to address surface rust, do your best to fix the driver seat bolster, clean her up, tune her up, and drive her! We got 88-616 in similar condition after sitting outside for 7 years. Hatch had damage that needed repaired/repainted, and we addressed beltline and window trim, painted top sides of bumpers, paint corrected the car (was faded/oxidized), thoroughly steam cleaned interior, repaired a stitch on driver bolster, removed a bunch of billet pieces from interior, rebuilt the motor (1 cylinderhad no compression), installed new tires, and voila! Ready to be driven and enjoyed again!

[@PuristMotorsports]

We are aligned in thought. The owners of this car would also agree. Keeping them as original as possible adds value down the road. But it also matters what you have to start with.

[@kelinsantana9524]

Nice car Bob I can wait to see when the last touches are done is going to be a beautiful saleen when it's done

[@PuristMotorsports]

Thank you. It’s a really great candidate for preservation.

[@Riffs_Garage]

I love these videos Bob. I need to come down and visit when I get back in town. Heck I may even buy some of that barn find dust to put on my Capri

[@PuristMotorsports]

Haha! Barn dust equals $$$ these days. 😂

[@BOSS-qs5kw]

I own 89-52. White with triple blue stripes.

[@PuristMotorsports]

Man that’s cool. Early 89 with 88 stripes! One of our favorite color combos.

[@brianhite86]

Great video and lots of good topics. I have a saleen that was in similar shape that I bought recently. Love project cars keep up the good content !

[@calvincooley1074]

IMO the COBRA engine certainly doesn't hurt the value. I'd just give it a deep clean and get it running just to see what you've got then decide how far to go after that.

[@PuristMotorsports]

That’s definitely a part of the plan. Great suggestions.

[@calvincooley1074]

@@PuristMotorsports A car like this has the great story and the patina. It gets wow's clean, dirty or show quality resto. In cleaner than this condition it could be driven more annual miles than usual and never hurt the value, much like that black one that the guy cut the brace in order to install the Coyote.

[@mikemalone9589]

A California car, I could tell by the registration sticker that made a brief appearance. So even if it did sit outside those ~13 years, very low probability of any rust, unless it lived by the beach in which case you'd see lots of rust on the top surfaces & lower hatch window area. I liked the period correct Alpine CD head unit, even if its not technically "correct". Congrats on the purchase. I am heavily biased toward Oxford White too. ;)

[@PuristMotorsports]

Good eye Mike. This one’s not mine. It’s a clients car I’m working to get running and cleaned up again. I don’t need another personal project. I’ve got too many already. 🤣

[@mikemalone9589]

@@PuristMotorsports Too many projects. I can identify and empathize with that.

[@Kevins93cobra]

Cool detail about the engine being from a wrecked cobra. It must have been a low numbered cobra as it has the smooth sided intake. I think I've seen claims only about the first 500 or so cars had that intake. It would be interesting to see the VIN, but I doubt you're going to be pulling the intake. MAYBE with some stretching and a small camera, you can get a glance of the upper back of the block and see the last I think it's 6 digits of the VIN.

[@PuristMotorsports]

It did come from an early car. I think I brought attention to that in the video? I figured the Cobra aficionados would spot it. It was one of the first things I noticed. I've had quite a few people reach out about it. The car was totaled and as far as we know it is gone. I've already pulled the VIN off of it.

[@Anthony-rv3hr]

Saleens had the best ride height of any lowered Mustang. Sucks they were swapped. Where do you get another set of them these days?

[@PuristMotorsports]

I agree. One of the best ride heights ever. The springs for the pre 89 cars can only be bought on the used market. The 90 and up springs have been produced by Saleen again. Although I’m not sure they are available at the moment. They were a few years ago. The setup on this car sits just about right. True to form, it sags a little in the rear. But we’ll solve that after paint.