Test Drive! Steve Saleen Foxbody review with Revan Evan - 1988 Saleen 5.0 Ford Mustang Retrospect

Steve Saleen and I test drive a 1988 Saleen Mustang and we look back at the creation of Saleen and the Mustang that put Saleen on the map. Come for a ride with Steve and Evan and experience this awesome Mustang.

[@281cobracar7]

Thanks Steve Saleen. In 93 I went to a Ford dealership in Baltimore looking to buy a 93 Cobra. The last one on the lot was already sold. They had 2-3 new Saleens in the showroom going for about $30,000 apiece. I jokingly said to the salesman "you got any used ones laying around". He said "you know what, I think we do". Next thing you know he brings up a used 89 Saleen white w/blue stripes with only 21,000 miles on it. I signed the papers and drove home in my new (to me) Saleen which I still have to this day. Many miles of smile and memories.

[@DUNEATV]

Omg that’s cool!

[@ruelarposey5782]

Why want God deliver me. from my addiction

[@metaljew4456]

@281cobra car>>>Keep her forever! I have had my 1986 since August 1986. They get better with age and tasteful mods.

[@281cobracar7]

@@metaljew4456- My first new car was a 85 Mustang GT red w/t-tops and manual trans. Had the car for 3 months when this guy ran a stop sign and t-bone me. I got the car fixed and a friend said I should trade the car in for a new one. I was going to do it and sitting on the showroom floor was a red 86 Saleen. But there was two problems. 1) it was out of my price range, 2) I wasn't sure about the whole fuel injection thing. The good news was I got 310,000 miles out of that 85 GT.

[@israelnieves2817]

Awesome

[@GettingthruLife]

Hard to fathom this days how powerful 225hp felt back in 1988. 5.0's ruled the streets. I had an 88' GT bolt ons exhaust and a 1990 notch with headwork/valves/valve job/port/milled/polish and flowmasters. Visted North Central Ford in Richatdson Tx often to check out the Saleens. They were a dealer and always had 4 or 5 outside.

[@foxbodymotorsports]

Driving in a Fox Saleen with the man himself....thats a bucket list item right there. Very cool Evan!!!

[@revanevan]

Thanks for watching, hope you'll subscribe and share my channel with your friends.

[@chadkinsler9865]

Definitely super cool to ride in a Saleen with the man himself

[@robertelmo7736]

For Steve or Evan lol....? I am telling you, Steve joking about Evan not being able to handle it...that's like telling an Irishman he can't handle his liquor lol...

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

That's killer driving a mint saleen with Steve saleen is truly the best thing for a mustang person

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

@@revanevan oh hell yes

[@brunotulliani]

The Godfather of Mustang engineering and very cool!

[@metaljew4456]

I have owned my 1986 Mustang GT since day 1. Bought her new before I could drink! I still barely drink but I sure still drive my Mustang! She looks better today than she did in the 80’s. These FOX 🦊 BODIES are pure magic! You have to drive one to get it. That sound! These is nothing like that 5.0 liter sound. I know really 4.9 liter....

[@RankinPerformMachine]

This is gold! To hear him talk about the creation of the Saleen Fox and to watch him reminisce, that's cool!

[@chadj8349]

I still have my original 1989 mustang I bought in 1989, so I guess I just aged myself as well. Always kept 50 cents in the broken ashtray in case we had to stop at a pay phone and make a couple calls.

[@harryhippi8515]

The Fact that you got to ride in an original with THE MAN himself. WOW. BLESSED

[@jpp9846]

If you don't hear that window *rattle* when closing the door of your Fox, something is wrong 😂 Awesome video, driving with a legend!

[@revanevan]

Thank you!

[@ColAngus]

What a car, what sound and what a guy! What this man has accomplished in his career is truly inspirational.

[@axeman6560]

Wow what a treat going for a drive with Steve Saleen!!

[@cobraracer46]

The sound of the starter and the window rattling when you shut the door sure brought back some memories! The Saleen Fox bodies were certainly the nicest looking ones!

[@paultucker1272]

A very cool video of a very cool car. Still looks superb today!

[@Hot80s]

i drove my 87 gt so hard i broke the strut tower brace twice with frame connectors & g-load on the rack, had those yoko 008's way back in the day, its hard to beat the "seat on your pants" feeling of driving one with a good suspension

[@randymillsjr.1730]

Steve hosted one of the first Saleen meets at our 1992 MCA mustang show in Lynchburg Virginia. Man I'm getting old. So is he. Lol

[@JCRaya69]

I miss my 99 Saleen #0144 until someone slammed into it at a red light almost killing my son and I. The only time in my life that I could afford a Saleen. I want another one so bad always been a fan of Steve's work. Thank you for this video.

[@nathantuck2257]

Wow. A Saleen Fox Body test drive with Mr. Saleen himself. This has got to be one of the best FoxBody videos out there.

[@QuickLTD]

The side to side shifter tap tap tap. That's how you challenged the other car at the red light to race!

[@brandonapperson4998]

and at least three taps each time you go to start the car lol

[@Deeznuts84356]

3 taps. 5 speed 86 gt with t tops.

[@jimmitchell3331]

IMO nothing sounds better then a foxbody with pushrod 5.0!!!!!!!

[@joegaskill8742]

The early Saleens will always be super cool and elegant, timeless even!

[@HeROsiNhEaVeN]

I’ve always enjoyed your articles in MM&FF back in the day.....this is just as cool 👌🏻...Salute to you and Mr Saleen.....looking forward to your next video...🙏🏻

[@revanevan]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@ganzo86]

Wow I miss my 89 saleen. Looked just like the one in this video but had the black 5 star rims but man that thing was a head Turner. How cool is this to see him drive the car I've loved him for and once owned.

[@MrPappysCobra]

I owned 1989 SSC 142. Awesome car. Also owned 1995 #72 S-351 R -Code. Steve is a great guy.

[@iceman7306]

Love Foxbody's but the Saleen is a dream car to me, I still have a fox 1992 GT with only 20k original miles.

[@daveg9002]

Wow nice bro

[@s281SC]

My brother had got a 2009 saleen Mustang

[@BenWho]

Way cool Evan!!! Bucket list scenario and it was great to get Steve's impression on that car after all of these years! I'm also the proud owner of an 89 Saleen, #0436.

[@revanevan]

Thanks!

[@heroknaderi]

I miss these cars. My mom used to have one.😎🤩👍👍

[@sln583]

Great video Sir. I remember reading your stuff back in the day in MMFF. Great insight into why these cars look anemic on paper (225 Horsepower) but are still wicked fast when actually driving one. I have had a 1988 Saleen Mustang in my Garage for over two decades. Great to hear what you both had to say about it. The look on Steve’s face when he sat in that rock hard flop it was priceless.

[@revanevan]

Thank you Mike.

[@johnrocksvold9105]

Steve's the man! Nice meeting you, Evan at the Saleen show and dinner!

[@revanevan]

Likewise, thank for the comment.

[@saleen88-049]

Thanks for the great conversation and throwback. Owning two Saleens, specifically 88-049, baer brakes and an alum headed 351 with a vortec is exactly what the Fox Saleens needed!

[@revanevan]

You're welcome, thanks for checking out my channel.

[@chaleowin7732]

Steve Saleen is a living legend.

[@russallen8685]

great video. I met Steve half a dozen times real nice guy. He will talk to you not down to you.

[@michelboos7778]

Another very nice video! You get to meet the coolest people.....

[@steelbeltedradical2220]

I currently own this exact car. It is living it's best life in Southeast Tennessee. What a gem! Just picked my kid up after basketball practice in it.

[@chetzeidler9517]

OUTSTANDING ride along!!

[@markball7028]

I wondered what ever happened to you Evan. I use to read MM&FF religiously. Glad you’re still involved with the mustang passion. 👍

[@revanevan]

I'm alive and kicking. Stay tuned for much more on KZbin, thanks for the comment.

[@mustangmarty8491]

I'm a fox owner, I've had 3 so far, and i gotta say they are some of the funnest cars you could ever drive. I remember going to Rizza ford and buying a brand new 88 Gt, and driving off shifting that 5 sp. trans and 30 yrs. Later still driving a 88 GT and shifting gears..lol l could only imagine driving a real Saleen, and these Saleen's has really grown on me in the past few year's, hopefully one day 🤞 Anyway great memories & a great video keep'em coming 🇺🇸 MERICA

[@goldy7157]

Wow... this brings back memories. My dad bought an 88 notchback new from Damerow Ford in Beaverton, OR. It was Oxford white with gold stripes, gold basket wheels and grey interior and a 5 speed manual. I believe it was one that was originally ordered for the Oregon State Police with the Special Service Package. I remember it not having power windows and no cruise control. The car was a beast and back then it would run circles around anything else. I cant remember the Saleen number but I think it started with a 3, i could be wrong because i was 18 years old and it seems like a lifetime ago. I remember meeting Steve Saleen at PIR raceway in Portland, OR where he autographed the dashboard. My dad passed away 9 years ago so i cant confirm some things but I do know he loved that car. I got to drive it from San Antonio, TX to Portland, OR and remember getting pulled over in the middle of the Nevada dessert by a trooper because the license plate was not on the back of the car but rather in the rear window (temp. plate). The officer did nothing but ask questions about the car. He asked how fast would it go and i said "fast enough". He wanted me to open it up but i knew he probably had one of his buddies down the highway waiting for me so i passed. I wish i could find it now and see what it looks like. Nothing like a Saleen Foxbody Coupe!!!!!!

[@RPJs-Cuisine]

Awesome video! Thank u Steve for doing the Foxbody so much justice!

[@johnguerriero6851]

Awesome ride along interview with the master of taking a good platform and making it AWESOME!

[@coupe89]

The first of this month was my 19th year of owning my 89 notch I was 18 when I bought it.

[@coolruehle]

HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S 30+ YEARS OLD!

[@robertelmo7736]

Lookin at my grey hair..nope, not that hard lol...

[@kjkj6362]

It’s like watching my dad get in the car , this man is an icon. I had an 89 Fox and it was like a rocket in a tin can

[@michaelharris748]

Man this is so awesome coming from a long long time mustang fanatic. Ive owned 7 stangs all manual (3 89 gts, 94 gt, 95 gt with a built 347 stroker and trickflow top end kit, 97 cobra and an 03 mach 1). I also owned an 03 svt focus and currently a 2016 fiesta st which has about 3 grand in go fast parts on it and makes 280 wheel hp in a 2600 lbs car...talk about fun in the corners lol. Ill keep it once its paid for in 1.5 years and im gonna get an 8th stang to sit beside it...as of now im leaning towards an 08-12 gt500 because of the prices they can be had for now. But man oh man steve saleen is one of my heroes man i always wanted a real saleen car theyre just so cool. This man is a legend in his own time and imo prob had just as much positive effect on the mustang community as shelby himself and that is saying alot! Both the guys in this video are mustang legends to me i subcribed to every issue of mm&ff between 2000 when i was 17 all the way up to about 2012 and ive had quite a few issues since then too so evan youre also one of my heroes i used to love reading your stories and reading about the amazing times youd rip off in bone stock Mustangs i remember the 13.1 at 105 in the bone stock mach 1 and i remember you running low to mid 12s in a stock terminator and i remember you guys running the cobra r against the terminator in 2003 and it was almost dead even in the quarter mile. I remember all that stuff man you are one hell of a driver and an inspiration to me in being able to drive a manual i feel above average myself and i take pride in that. Yea the modern autos are great and they can rip off as good or even better times than manuals but it isnt nearly as satisfying to me and im sure alot of other guys feel the same way. Nothing like ripping through the gears of a manual trans car. Every vehicle ive ever owned has been a manual up till now and i dont plan on that changing long as i can physically drive a manual. If they stop making manuals i guess that means ive bought my last new car and will buy used lol. Keep up the great work. From reading your stories as a youngster to now watching your youtube vids as a 36 year old gear head you are truely an inspiration to us all. Keep it up!!!

[@revanevan]

Thanks, great collection of cars Michael.

[@ericfowler4248]

Brother I'm also 36 and you basically said my life. Except I've owned 9 Foxbody Mustang's and still currently own a Foxbody. 92 GT one of 565 in Twilight blue. Man I'll never buy a weekend toy that's an automatic. I also belong to Cherokee Regional Mustang Club. So strange. I had to change my comment because yours is my comment basically.

[@michaelharris748]

@@ericfowler4248 pretty funny but awesome there are others out there that think like me (the right way lol). I bleed ford blue and ive always been a huge carroll shelby fan, huge saleen fan, and a big fan of mm&ff mag ecspecially when evan was at the helm i love all stangs but the special unique ones like the 03-04 mach 1 and terminator, the cobra rs, the saleen s351, shelby gt500 and gt350, the older na cobras back to the 93 cobra, the lightnings etc...those hold an even more special place in my heart

[@Tech_Guy_87]

Out of all those mustangs you had ,which one was ur favorite one and why

[@michaelharris748]

@@Tech_Guy_87 03 mach 1 was my fav because it was full bolt on and tuned prob put over 300 to the tires and well over 300 torque but it put the power down well from a roll...it would dead hook on street tires from a slow first gear roll (had stock gears) it would fish tail slightly on a hard 1-2 powershift but outside of that planted the power great, whereas my 95 gt with a built 10.5:1 compression 347 stroker with 410 gears and trickflow top end kit it had so much torque combined with the low gears it would annihilate brand new 275 nitto street tires (same tires on the mach only they were stock 245 size) in 1st or 2nd gear from a roll just hammering it so for that reason i beleive from a dig or slow roll the mach was faster and its driveability was 10 times better not to mention it could pull 27 mpg on the highway when my 347 could barely get 16 on the highway. It was by far the better all around car. I loved my 97 cobra too but it wasnt as quick as the mach deapite having 410s it was prob down at leaat 30-40 whp and torque from the mach. Theyre great cars too for the money but if you can afford it the mach 1 is a better car than a 96-98 cobra all around. I love all fords and having owned a couple diff 4vs with bolt ons and 5 different pushrod cars in various stages of being modded i prefer the mod motors which includes the gt500 and i consider the coyote a descendant of the original 4v mod motors and im just an ohc type guy now i love the power they can make na and boosted and how smooth they are by comparison i remember the first time i drove my cobra (first 4v mod motor) i thought it felt like a honda engine only big as far as how smooth it ran and how smoothly it revved even at high rpm. I like that....nothing at all wrong with a pushrod but im a mod motor guy having owned both and the mach 1 was my personal fav car thus far. Next on the list is gonna be an 08-09 gt500....something about those mod motors man and the sound is omg amazing

[@OrangeBoss-ww8eb]

meet him in KC at national show in 1994, awesome man always the gentleman I would say national treasure

[@talangue]

I was selling my ‘93 but I think I’ll keep it for my son.

[@ColAngus]

93 Saleen is worth a pretty penny, dang!

[@talangue]

Col. Angus just a plain Fox with 900hp

[@RichS230]

What a great video Evan. Thank you. I read,beer you from MMFF and Englishtown back in the day!

[@ericdebisz9458]

The style he put into these car is remarkable. First time I saw a s197 with the taillight package and center exhaust I was like "Steve saleen always makes a beautiful mustang"

[@DavidJSmith-hl6kb]

The closest Fox Body I Owned was a 85 Mercury Capri RS 5.0L back in the Day!...I had the Opportunity to Test Drive a New 2011 Saleen Mustang at My local FORD Dealer and they gave me a Saleen Hat for taking the Test Drive!...Thanks for the Memories!...God Bless America! BTW!...When will the 2020 Saleen lineup will be coming out?...I Hope Saleen will have a Saleen Mustang that that can Compete with the New 2020 Shelby GT500 and the Shelby American Shelby Super Snake and there Shelby GT!...I am Just Saying!

[@ivorwm2291]

I just couldn't afford a Saleen. I got a scarlet 88 GT 5 speed convertible in May 1988. I still have her.

[@revanevan]

Awesome!

[@quincarter8208]

Still cool.

[@MF-Rell]

Beautiful car, Saleen is a legend always wanted an S351.

[@Robert-tj3qq]

I remember seeing Saleen Mustangs in Old Saybrook/ Essex CT ,back when he started building them .i haven't seen one in a while. They must be going for alotof money now. A typical fox body 5.0 is going for good dough today.

[@jonmcclane7433]

These cars still look great today

[@white89gt]

I've owned my 89 GT for over 25 years now. The Fox platform rocks!

[@yougear100]

That Steve. Class act.

[@randysrestoration]

I remember getting to drive a Prototype car years ago during tire testing. Carb version think it was a 1985. Remember it being a Black coupe prob serial 001 to 003. Rick Titus was there too! I was the guy changing all the tires. 5 cars and 7 different sets/brands of tires. They let me drive the car when tire testing was over. (Tire testing took place in Phoenix)

[@Tiger_Hoods]

I Love the foxbody style of the mustang, the mustang now is so bubbly.😂

[@boostedsaleen6146]

Watching this video makes me want to hop in my 87-65 saleen and hit the road. Lol

[@ColAngus]

Ey brother! Same here I've got 87-272, really need to fix that heater tube leak now and drop the tank to fix the gas gauge.....

[@shawnbroyles8274]

Great video man these cars put passion in me as a young man when I finally got financially secure I bought a roush in 2002 still own it just bought my 2019 stage 3. saleen gave me the bug I'm still looking for a low mile saleen fox convertible these cars are going to be a great investment they started it all I really enjoyed this video thanks again

[@SimonCas]

Late to the show, glad to be here

[@ferraowens]

i truly loves these i daily drove my red 88 #277 for 7 years looked just like this one

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Evan thank for taking me down memory lane, saw my first Salerno @ Jerrys Ford in Va, I was picking up my new GT 5.0 which I ordered from the PX while stationed in Germany,, that Salem was yellow and I wanted it,, but it cost a lot more than my GT, so I passed on it!! Always wanted a whale tail for my Fox !! That car got stolen in Pa,, still missing it!! 😭😭

[@revanevan]

You’re welcome

[@bigretardhalo]

Cool video... keep up the good work 👍 I’ll never forget meeting Steve Saleen for the first time at Carlisle in 96 and my only regret is not skipping work to watch the last road race held in downtown Minneapolis in 98 or 99 when they were still in the Saleen Allen Speedlab livery I had no idea it was the last race at the time.

[@92coupelx]

Great video, really enjoyed it. Two of my favorite guys in the Mustang world. Thanks for sharing that Evan.

[@revanevan]

Thank you for watching!

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Cool interview

[@ponyupgarage2960]

Wow so clean! Really enjoyed this. Always wanted to meet him. Nice guy 👍

[@98saleen]

Great episode.

[@pierrekiti585]

Awesome video Evan!

[@elmostong1865]

Great Video Evan! Definitely a Pioneer in the Foxbody Performance World! Saleen needs to remake some of the Foxbody parts for it's Fox/Saleen clienta.

[@revanevan]

Thank you.

[@Shakerhood69]

Awesome video!

[@Walter370z]

Awesome vid! Legend! Best fox body mustang and Saleen of all time! Steve's hilarious probably hasn't driven a fox in years lol 👏👏

[@MattN03]

Very cool Evan! Thanks for doing it!

[@revanevan]

You're welcome Matt.

[@bitedawg]

great video!

[@terraboundmisfit]

Play to the strengths, improve on the weaknesses. Words to live by!

[@mustangdrew]

Great video.

[@ecommbiz4008]

Brilliant video!! Really enjoyed this. :-)

[@revanevan]

Thank you.

[@chadkinsler9865]

Really Dope video and content! Nothing like a Saleen!

[@revanevan]

Thanks.

[@nedaCFilms]

Thank you for the time warp Evan!!!

[@revanevan]

You're welcome.

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Great video! Still trying to get a Fox body Saleen.

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

Oh my that s a dream car too have for me SALEENS are a sweet car

[@mohammedshussain9087]

Awsome. I got black 92 lx cpe

[@graygunter698]

My 1988 saleen ive had since 1996 is now getting a new engine. She has 325k on her i have 427 boss 351 block going in its taken me over a year due to funds and life but ill be happy to get her back up and daily drive it like i have for years.i drive my 1994 gt vert daily now cant go wrong with a stock 302 they last for years no problems.

[@mustanlab302]

Hell yeah great video

[@revanevan]

Thanks.

[@graygunter848]

Miss my 88 saleen i had in 1998. But i own a 2000 gt and a 1994gt now

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Evan mine was regatta blue with the silver lower kit, had that hounds tooth interior sun roof, 5 speed, I added GT 40 everything, 1/7 rockers cat delete, rear diff cover girdle, short shift pro 5.0, rear disc brakes, flow masters! I still have nightmares about loosing that car!! Thank Brother!!

[@revanevan]

My LX was Regatta Blue. Thank you.

[@ricardocorbie6803]

REVan Evan I remember that car!! It was 💨 fast.❤️

[@aaronrogers7178]

Drive that car man 😎

[@6spd85notch]

Awesome

[@MorbidThrasher666]

Wow im jelly,lol. The man.

[@joelubner3879]

Awesome !!

[@richki.24]

So nice ....

[@daveg9002]

Gorgeousness i love 🦊 body saleens 👍🔥

[@m.a.taylor6908]

The first brand-new car I ever bought was #88-0318 (black/grey) in Blacksburg, Virginia. Super-expensive at the time at $21k. First thing I did was scrape that awful "Saleen Mustang" sticker off the windshield.

[@xtremespeed3944]

got the same exact car, shits pimp

[@loadedfun4764]

I wonder why he let the black vert poster car loose? They said that was Steve’s daily for a while.

[@djvic87]

Rev where can I find that Pony shirt? Thanks!

[@daveg9002]

I have a question i recently bought myself a 92 ford mustang gt 5.0 convertible a few months ago for some reason it started overheating it has like 3 modifications ford racing spark plug wires bbk headers and h pipe mufflers i just replace the overflow sensor with the radiator reservoir and radiator cap and it still overheats i burp the air on the radiator coolant but it still overheats my concern is i hope is not the head gaskets the guy who sold it to me told me it needed a fan clutch any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

[@randymartin9484]

Fan clutch could definitely cause it to over heat. If your sure you fully burped the coolant system than either the radiator or water pump. Highly doubt you have a stuck thermostat

[@daveg9002]

@@randymartin9484 oh ok I'll definitely will change the fan clutch. Thank you 👍😎

[@fjbT2024]

Hey, didn't you work for muscle mustang and fast ford magazine?

[@keithlabarrie3098]

Yep that him

[@lurgee29]

Evan, you d be the best one to ask, please settle a year long dispute . Straight of showroom floor, what wins.....04 mach vs. 95 cobra R????

[@ericswires8534]

Dennis Raider is doing well I see.

[@brandonknight7240]

Steve put FORD on the map

[@jeremyforeman4284]

Hi my name is Jeremy Foreman and my favorite mustang is 1993 corba I'm from Alabama