Saleen is Ford's partner of choice when it comes to hi-po versions of performance cars
This supercharged S281 was sent to Australia near new and only had one owner.
Saleen Automotive was Ford’s partner of choice when it came to high-performance vehicles.
When it relaunched the Ford GT in 2002, Saleen was responsible for its assembly and paint. As a tier-one OEM supplier, it had the know-how to further improve Ford road cars with excellent grace and appropriate resources from the head office in Michigan.
By 2008, it was designing and handcrafting performance Fords at its facility in Irvine, California. Ford’s design team influenced the S281’s styling, drawing inspiration from the fifth-generation Mustang.
It features a high-rise carbon fibre bonnet, amongst other exotic pleasantries. This convertible example was sent to Australia new, where it was converted to right-hand drive by industry experts Mustang Australia, then sold to its first and still current owner.
After a week of ownership, the current owner stated, “It didn’t have enough.” Mustang Australia then sourced and applied an appropriate Whipple supercharger kit to suit the Saleen 4.6 L V8, which originally had 240 kW.
Now, with well over 300 kW at the wheels, its performance is quoted as being “beyond adequate.”
As number 35 in a limited run of just over a thousand cars globally, a Ford collection is not complete without a Saleen car in the midst.
The car pictured – 2008 Saleen S281
This Saleen Mustang was hand-finished in Irvine, California, by Saleen Automotive in 2008. By 2011, it had arrived in Australia and been right-hand drive converted by industry leaders Mustang Australia.
The Saleen S281 is powered by a Ford 4.6-litre V8 and features a four-speed automatic transmission. A Whipple supercharger was installed at new taking power to over 300kW.
Standard features include an electric folding fabric roof, Saleen S281 exterior styling kit, 20-inch Saleen alloy wheels, Saleen chassis tune, Saleen leather sports seats, dual airbags, power steering, ABS brakes and an Alpine double-DIN stereo.
The first and current owner had the vehicle’s suspension further enhanced by Heasmans steering and suspension in Botany. They fitted a Bilstein suspension setup that further enhanced the car’s dynamics. A front dash cam has also been fitted.
It features a full service history and has undergone a recent major service prior to sale. The vehicle presents in above average condition, with its original fabric roof still in good order. There are minor car park dents on the passenger side of the car, but that’s as bad as it gets.
Quick facts
- 2008 Saleen S281
- Convertible
- One owner from new
- Hand-built in Irvine, California
- 4.6 litre V8
- Whipple supercharger
- 64,000km
- Build number 35
- 20-inch wheels
- Saleen exterior styling kit
- Saleen leather sports seats
- Automatic transmission
- Full service history
- Right-hand drive converted and delivered new by Mustang Australia
- Low-build and limited-run car
- Full service history
- A great addition to any Ford car collection
The S281, based on the 2008 Ford Mustang, displays a premium level of design consideration, both exterior and interior, with performance to match.Saleen USA, launch of the S281
