Unlocking History: First Saleen Mustang Sold to Public

1984 Saleen #51 is the Second Saleen EVER built! It had an engine fire in the late 1980's and sat. The rumor was it was totaled but the current owner sought it out. Stu at the Saleen Ranch bought it 30 years ago with intentions of restoring it properly over time. Finally after 30 years of putting pieces together and finding the right guy to paint the car it is done for the world to see.
This one is the first Saleen ever sold to the public and was originally owned by a Hollywood actor. It is the only 1984 Saleen finished on a GT chassis and it being the 2nd Saleen built, it has VERY unique characteristics over the 1985 production cars.
Check out www.puristmotorsports.com for project updates and details on parts for cars like this in this video.
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[@chocodiledundee1]

Same thing with the 67-72 Bumpside F100 Brazilian 🇧🇷 Broncos , everyone believed it was 1OO made because SR body plates read 18 , 35 , 76 and 96 but the truth is there’s only 5 Broncos in 1983 with split tailgate ever made and others Broncos are hatchback one piece tailgate that it’s not even 20 made after 1984 ! SALEEN is the COOLEST and most desirable Mustang EVER after Shelby Cobra 🐍 bottom line ! Thank you for this video I am a huge SALEEN enthusiast. Adelaide, South Australia 🇦🇺

[@PuristMotorsports]

Learned something from you on those Bronco’s. Now I’m going to go on a wild goose chase to learn more. Thanks for watching and for the info!

[@alanteets6365]

Loved the video with Stu and the 84 #51. I owned the 85 #20 and wish I still had it! Also had 89 #252 convertible!

[@ssdandp]

Very cool! Learned some new stuff!

[@05gtdriver]

To add to the rarity of the 1984 Bright Copper Glow metallic, which I wasn't aware as to how rare the color is. When I lived in San Diego in the 1980s, a fellow co-worker, who was attending San Diego State University, had his parent's 1984 Mustang GT C.F.I. automatic with him. It was that same copper color, with the sport seat tan interior. I'm sure nowadays, the average econo-box would keep up, if not outrun it, but it sure felt pretty quick back then.

[@PuristMotorsports]

It is a rare color. It’s one to see in person as the pictures make it look muted. It’s a brighter color than any camera can show. As a result, it didn’t sell well at all. And you’re right, most anything produced today will rape a stock 1984 auto GT. Like a soccer mom mini van or any 4 door sedan. 😂 Like you say, we thought they were quick. And they were by those standards at the time. But not now.

[@shudarschway9479]

I have a very rare Saleen that few know about. The "Bullet" 1999 prototype.

[@FrankieJ1981]

I was obsessed with Saleen's before I got my license

[@musclecarczarig4003]

What an important piece of Saleen History! Thanks for the in depth video!

[@PuristMotorsports]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@nickj583]

he mentioned that very few copper colored cars were sold. I owned one of those. 84 gt 5sp with t top. It had the traction bars instead of the quad shocks since build date was feb. of 84. If I'm not mistaken the quad shocks were introduced when the gt350 went into production, appx april of 84

[@elmostong1865]

Great Video and Great Info

[@chetzeidler9517]

Outstanding video!

[@PuristMotorsports]

Thanks Chet.

[@rolandrodriguez7145]

Amazing history 'four lug bbs rims out of this world so clean wow '

[@lewieallen6029]

That was another great video Bob. Stu knows more about these cars than anybody. And let me know when the next meeting for Saleens Anonymous is.

[@281cobracar7]

Stu Atkins is to Saleen Mustangs what Bob Perkins is to 1st gen Mustang@

[@georgehgordy1690]

At 1:54 Is that Steve Saleen?

[@PuristMotorsports]

Yes. He and Liz were there to see this car revealed and even sat in it.

[@05gtdriver]

Steve Saleen made Carroll Shelby look like a choir boy with the SCCA numbers game... 🙂

[@PuristMotorsports]

What’s the old saying? It ain’t cheating unless you’re caught? 😆

[@05gtdriver]

@@PuristMotorsports Exactly 💯 👏

[@foxchassis]

According to Fox Body Mustang Recognition guide, there were 840 5.0L hatchbacks produced in the 84 model year with 9C Bright Copper Glow paint. Don't know how many were GT and how many were LX. That 840 number is not verified. There are a lot of numbers in that book that are verified as being incorrect.

[@PuristMotorsports]

Thanks Mick. I knew better than to quote from memory. I want to say the number I was thinking was off of a Marti Report. It I can’t remember.

[@mikemalone9589]

I refer to the Fox Body Recognition guide and the Foxbody Bible, as there is no other as comprehensive resource out there that is documented like that book but yes, I've heard that its not infallible and contains errors. Would love to see a second edition print that is bounced off of (i.e. verified) either Ford databases and/or Marti-Reports.

[@mikemalone9589]

I've been waiting for this video and it did not disappoint. I thougbt it was just going to be an in depth feature of the car but we get a F2F interview with the caretaker & restorer being none other than Mr. Stu A. I have heard of his legendary collection and name in the hobby for a long time. Great to put a face to the title. Definitely a man I don't ever want to play poker against though, lucky for me, I'm not into card games. :)

[@details78]

So was the child actor owner this Chris Fields? Trying to track down an IMDB page or something for him. Also an interesting part of the story for me.

[@PuristMotorsports]

According to Stu, that’s who it was.

[@davehewitt820]

What's up with the car behind you in the intro?

[@PuristMotorsports]

Teaser. More to come… Later. 😉

[@ThaSilentOne420]

Saleens are so over rated. Other then collectors value .

[@Aprickman]

it was a great Carlisle Story at the 2023 EXPO I loved meeting and hearing from all my new Family friends - @RickmanAndrew