I'm having a ton of trouble making this site come up on my computer but it works now and I need help. I have what I believe to be a 2001 S281 SC vert. But like everyone else when I use carfax or NADA it comes up a GT. The vin# is 1fafp45xx1f227848 and the bumper number is 868. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks my for letting me know its real, my internet is all messed up for some reason. It won't me open this page, and it won't let me see any personal messages. But I went over to my friends place to get on. So even though I can't open up your message with the details at least I know its clean. Thanks for your help
New Kid in Trouble!!!! Need help sowaxman! purchased 1997 SVT, Cobra (Saleen??), 5S281 vin#1FALP46V3VF147569 (5S281) Has Saleen stuff, ground effects, 4.6 Dohc, Graphics, even floor mats, but no other badges?????? Drove the car 30 miles and lost a piston ^*&^$$$$())*(&()*& Can you help identify to justify investment of new (Ford Crate) engine? Brand new (Sad) Mustang owner??
Thats a heart breaker!! I'm confused.. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to make it look like one! Graphics on the dash panel (White background, Blue graphics, Saleen logo on each instrument.. Even valve covers have Saleen Logo (blue Letters). So I'm married to a Cobra with some fake Saleen stuff, Daxxit!! It's true that beauty is only skin deep! I looked at photo's of 97 Saleen's and everything seems to match up Graphics, details on ground effects. additional stuts underneath??? Honestly, I understood that Saleen extras were not available after market and Ford sent these cars to Irvine for upgrade before putting them out on the street. To add to the confusion, Service Manager (local Ford dealership) stated that something was up because the vin came back as Cobra, not Saleen... Would SVT boys know anymore? Should there be a badge on the fire wall, if so where would it be located. Also, where is the ID number located on the bumper. I'm freakin, I paid for the true blue and now I've got nothing but a clone. Well, crate engine is out of the question, maybe a new short block to get it breathin again. I'm in it too deep now (Real Deeeeep). Thanks for the research S281SC, a least you saved me from doing 2 stupid things in a row.
Thanks Sowaxeman for the reply!! As you can asertain from my reply to S281SC, I know nothin about Mustangs. All I know is this little Black on Black convt. with the nasty Saleen stuff sucked me up like a newbie at a gentlemens club. If the car had been the real deal, I would think hard about taking away what it had been born with! I will inquire with the SVT boys for a solution! Thanks again for the advice, this is a good site with real nice people!
So my #26 B is one of two made for Budget with the white convertible top in 1997? Does anyone know how I can track down the previous owners? I can contact the last two but no owners before that. Thx, Mike
Posts: 3803
Joined: 3/31/2005 From: Indianapolis, IN Status: offline
I'll check the registry to see how many they list. But the registry only gets updated if owners verify themselves with Team Saleen - o you are sort at the previous owners mercy on that one Short of calling the previous 2 and getting contact info from them, you are probably SOL.
Found a saleen for sale but i cant figure out if it is real. 99 red convertable. # on bumper is #296. Vin is 724. There is the boost gauges on the dash but its not supercharged. There is not a #'d badge on the inside and the piece on the door pannel is not painted. Is it fake? Thanx
This one is a tricky one. According to the saleen book, the bumper # and last 3 digits of the vin check out. The car was originally ordered with the twin gauges (even though it's not S/C), so that checks out too. I don't know if the piece in the door panel was painted in 99 or not......it was on the 351, but I'm not sure if they painted it on the S/C and N/A. Perhaps someone else could weigh in on that one.
Does it have chrome wheels? Does it have a speedster package (roll bar and tonneau top)? Does it have the cobra hood (two vents on the hood)? If you have the full VIN # you can call saleen and verify whether it's genuine or not.
The missing badge on the inside gives me pause, though. Does it have a plaque in the engine bay? Also, if you could post some pictures...that would help.
< Message edited by eviligloo -- 2/15/2007 8:55:20 PM >
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RE: The Unofficial, Official How Tell If Its A Real Sal... - 
Check your PM for all the other details that are listed in the registry for that vehicle.
