In 2004, I got a yearning to buy a car with flash and style; call it a pre-midlife crisis. I was pretty set on getting a foreign car (i.e. Porsche), but thought I’d stick to my Ford/Lincoln/Mercury roots and see what they offered. After a failed attempt to get a convertible Cobra at the price I wanted, I started scouring the internet for other “hot rods”. I came upon an individual who acts as a car broker for clients. In this case, the “client” was FordMoCo. He, in Pennsylvania, gave a fairly detailed description of a Saleen Mustang and displayed numerous photos. This normally goes against my better judgment to buy sight unseen, but I really liked the modified look from a stock Mustang.
Up to this point, I had never heard of a “Saleen” and mispronounced it several times before being corrected (suh-leen). I was very impressed with the description of amenities, modifications, and engine performance, but honestly I simply liked the design and color. After several phone calls and him e-mailing more photos from every possible angle (actually overloaded my inbox three times!), we started to negotiate. In this case, “negotiate” is not the right word in that I felt I was actually being interviewed by the seller. “What is your lifestyle, background, etc.?” “Why this car and what will you do with it?” And on, and on......
I later found out he had six other people going through the same process. Huh? Well, I guess I passed the test and mostly because I was able to get a plane ticket to his location with money in-hand before the others. I flew to the Harrisburg, PA area where he picked me up (in the Mustang), went to the DMV for temporary tags, and then I was on the road back to Huntsville. Little did I know (being a Mustang rookie) at the same time as the transaction the Mustang Nationals were being held in Nashville.
After washing, waxing, and showing off my new ride I contacted Saleen in California. I actually spoke with Liz (Steve’s wife) who gave me the history of this car and later sent me a letter of proof. Turns out it’s one of only 54 “Extremes” for 2002 and was also one of three Saleens shown during that year’s New York Int’l Auto Show. Somehow through various events the car ended up in a warehouse with the intention to sell at a Carlisle auction. Since the opening bid was nearly double a GT model, no one bid and it ended up with the aforementioned broker. Needless to say, I got the car at an unbelievable deal even with the broker fee. I’ve never been a particularly lucky person or even come close to winning the lottery.....or did I?
Mike L., RCMC President – Aug 2007-09