Steve Saleen: The Racer Who Built America's Supercar

Steve Saleen is a racing driver turned manufacturer who redefined American performance. Often compared to Carroll Shelby, he transformed the Ford Mustang into a track weapon. He later cemented his legacy by creating the Saleen S7, America's first true mid-engine production supercar.

Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday

Steve Saleen began his career as a professional Formula Atlantic racer, but his lasting impact came from his desire to bring race-car handling to the street. In 1983, he founded Saleen Autosport. At a time when American performance was suffering from the "Malaise Era," Saleen took the Fox-body Ford Mustang and completely reworked its suspension, aerodynamics, and braking. He didn't just tune cars; he manufactured them, earning official OEM status.

The S7: A Supercar from Scratch

While he made his name with Mustangs, Saleen wanted to prove he could compete with Ferrari and Lamborghini on their own turf. In 2000, he unveiled the Saleen S7. Unlike his previous cars, this wasn't a modified Ford; it was a bespoke, mid-engine supercar built entirely by Saleen. With a space-frame chassis and advanced aerodynamics that generated its own weight in downforce, the S7 (and its Twin Turbo successor) became an instant icon of American engineering.

Losing and Regaining the Name

Steve Saleen's journey wasn't without turbulence. In 2007, he resigned from his own company due to conflicts with investors and lost the rights to use the name "Saleen." Undeterred, he launched a new brand, SMS Supercars, and continued to innovate. After a long legal battle, he triumphantly regained control of the Saleen brand in 2012, reuniting the man with the machine and continuing his legacy of high-performance manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Steve Saleen and what is his impact on the US automotive industry?

<p><strong>Steve Saleen</strong> (born 1949) is an American racing driver and the founder of <strong>Saleen Automotive</strong>. He is a titan of the American "specialty manufacturer" industry, known for bridging the gap between track-ready performance and street-legal production. In 2026, he is celebrated alongside legends like Enzo Ferrari for his ability to engineer high-performance vehicles, most notably the <strong>Saleen S7</strong>, which stands as America's first true production mid-engine supercar.</p>

What is the historical significance of the Saleen S7?

<p>The <strong>Saleen S7</strong>, unveiled in 2000, was a revolutionary milestone as the first true American production supercar designed from a clean sheet. Unlike other performance cars of the era, the S7 was not based on an existing chassis. It featured a complete carbon fiber body and a 7.0-liter V8 engine, delivering up to 750 horsepower in its twin-turbo variant. Its racing sibling, the <strong>S7-R</strong>, achieved global prestige by winning its class at the <strong>24 Hours of Le Mans</strong>, proving American engineering could dominate European circuits.</p>

How did Steve Saleen influence the Ford Mustang heritage?

<p>Steve Saleen is perhaps most famous for his "Saleen Mustangs," which transformed the standard Ford pony car into a race-winning machine. Starting in 1984, he introduced comprehensive performance packages that included <strong>race-tuned suspensions</strong>, improved aerodynamics, and supercharged engines. By the late 1980s, Saleen Mustangs were winning <strong><abbr title="Sports Car Club of America">SCCA</abbr></strong> championships, creating a "halo effect" that significantly boosted the Mustang's performance credibility in the eyes of American enthusiasts.</p>

What was Steve Saleen’s role in the development of the 2005 Ford GT?

<p>Due to his expertise in specialized manufacturing and certification, <strong>Ford Motor Company</strong> tapped Steve Saleen and his team to help engineer and assemble the 2005-2006 <strong>Ford GT</strong>. Saleen provided the paint, sub-assembly, and final assembly services for the legendary supercar at his facility in Troy, Michigan. This partnership was a rare instance of a major <abbr title="Original Equipment Manufacturer">OEM</abbr> outsourcing the production of its flagship vehicle to a specialty manufacturer, highlighting the level of trust Ford had in Saleen’s engineering precision.</p>

How does Saleen Automotive contribute to Hollywood and pop culture?

<p>Steve Saleen’s vehicles are icons of American pop culture. A Saleen Mustang was famously modified to become the Decepticon "Barricade" in the <strong>Transformers</strong> film franchise. His cars have also appeared in <em>Fast & Furious</em>, <em>Iron Man</em>, and <em>Bruce Almighty</em>. Beyond just providing cars, Saleen’s team was responsible for building the first running <strong>Chevrolet Camaro</strong> prototype used to introduce the new model in the <em>Transformers</em> movies, showcasing his facility's prototyping capabilities.</p>

What is the Saleen 1 (S1) sports car introduced in recent years?

<p>The <strong>Saleen 1 (S1)</strong> is Steve Saleen’s modern mid-engine sports car, designed to offer supercar-level handling in a more agile, compact package. It features an all-aluminum chassis and a carbon fiber body, staying true to Steve’s lightweight engineering philosophy. In 2026, the S1 serves as the platform for the <strong>Saleen Cup</strong>, a "arrive-and-drive" racing series that allows aspiring drivers to compete in professionally prepared GT equipment.</p>

Did Steve Saleen ever race in the Indy 500?

<p>While Steve Saleen is primarily known for GT and sports car racing, he did compete at the highest levels of open-wheel racing. He participated in the <strong><abbr title="Championship Auto Racing Teams">CART</abbr> Indy Car</strong> series during the late 1980s and was an entrant for the 1989 <strong>Indianapolis 500</strong>. His diverse racing background—spanning from Porsches to Indy cars—is what gave him the technical insight to develop the advanced suspension geometries and aerodynamic profiles found in Saleen production vehicles.</p>

What is "Saleen Signature" customization for modern trucks and SUVs?

<p>In 2026, Steve Saleen’s brand has expanded beyond muscle cars to include high-performance trucks. The <strong>Saleen Sportruck</strong> and <strong>Sportruck XR</strong> (based on the Ford F-150) feature supercharged V8 engines and off-road racing suspensions. He has also applied his "tuning magic" to the new Ford Bronco with the <strong>"Big Oly"</strong> edition, paying homage to the legendary desert racers of the past while providing modern US buyers with 700+ horsepower and long-travel suspension.</p>

Has Steve Saleen worked on electric vehicles like Tesla?

<p>Early on, Steve Saleen recognized the performance potential of electric powertrains. He was one of the first specialty manufacturers to offer a modified <strong>Tesla Model S</strong>, known as the <strong>Saleen Foursixteen</strong> (and later the ST). His team focused on improving the thermal management, gear ratios, and suspension dynamics to make the Tesla more capable on a race track. This move positioned Saleen as a pioneer in the 2026 EV tuning market, proving that "performance" transcends the type of fuel used.</p>

What is the "Saleen Speedlab" and why is it important?

<p>The <strong>Saleen Speedlab</strong> is the high-performance parts division of Saleen Automotive. It allows Mustang and F-150 owners to purchase the same <strong><abbr title="Environmental Protection Agency">EPA</abbr>-certified</strong> superchargers, brakes, and aerodynamic components used on factory Saleen vehicles. This division has been critical to Steve’s business model since the 1990s, allowing him to democratize race-proven technology for the broader American aftermarket community while maintaining strict emissions compliance.</p>