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Targa Muscle - US Style!

A Saleen-spec Mustang that's built to impress!

Word by Michael Knowling, Pix by Julian Edgar

Click on pics to view larger images

At a glance...

  • Current model Mustang
  • Built to near Saleen S281 supercharged spec
  • Deceptively quick and comfortable
  • Impressive motorsport results - and there's only better to come!
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Trickling along in traffic and riding over speed humps we almost forgot we were driving a car that recently came in the Top 15 in this year’s Targa Tasmania road racing event. It’s comfortable – seemingly too comfortable for a car that competes with other cars with rock-solid suspension and grumpy engines. Stick your foot into it and there’s another surprise. There’s no violent wheelspin or neck-straining acceleration; instead, the car progressively builds speed until the blur of scenery tells you you’re travelling at high velocity.

It’s the sort of car that feels unremarkable from inside. But, judging by the dropped jaws of observers at the side of the road, it’s definitely quick. Not to mention an absolute beast to look at!

Click for larger image

Craig Dean, owner of Melbourne’s Sports and Luxury Cars/Mustang Motorsport, has competed in Targa Tasmania driving a variety of cars. But none of ‘em get the crowd excited like this – the current model Mustang built to Saleen specs.

The new ‘Stang has a tough, retro look unlike any other car on the road. And painted black, covered in promo stickers and with a barking supercharged engine, it’s no wonder it’s a crowd favourite.

Accord to Craig, he entered the car in the ’06 Targa event simply to show the car off.

“I didn’t drive it too hard,” he says with a laugh.

Yeah right. Given the 14th position overall, he must have buried his foot on a few occasions...

Click for larger image

The car you see here isn’t a genuine Saleen Supercharged S281 – it’s a GT-spec Mustang built to virtually Saleen spec. Open the bonnet and you’ll find a Saleen twin-screw supercharger that can provide up to 8 psi boost through a water-to-air intercooler. These are fitted in conjunction with a re-flashed engine management system and a Saleen twin 2 ½ inch exhaust (which pokes through the centre of the rear bumper). The rest of the 4.6-litre SOHC V8 remains standard. Official output for the Saleen Supercharged S281 is a conservative 400 horsepower (325kW).

At present, the driveline remains in standard Mustang GT spec. There’s a five-speed manual gearbox, factory heavy-duty clutch and a stock LSD.

When it came to suspension tuning, Craig decided to stick with what he knows rather than go for the Saleen suspension package. Craig relies on custom springs and Koni adjustable shockers teamed with huge Saleen swaybars.

“They’re as big as your arm,” Craig says.

Click for larger image

The brake combo for Targa comprises Saleen upgrade front calipers with grooved discs with standard Mustang GT brakes at the rear. Aftermarket performance pads are installed at each end and Craig says there were no problems with fade during the event.

Click for larger image

With the intent of promoting Mustang sales in Australia, Craig decided it was essential to show off a Saleen body kit. The S281 gives the already tough looking Mustang louvered side skirts, a composite rear wing, new grille with compact fog lights and front and aprons. Craig has also added Cobra-style stripes and Mustang Motorsport graphics. (Mustang Motorsport is a division of Sports and Luxury Cars.)

The wheels seen in our pics are aftermarket 20 inchers but due to difficulties finding 20 inch road/race tyres, Craig installed 18 inch wheels for Targa. Bridgestone semi-slicks are Craig’s competition tyre of choice. The big ‘Stang didn’t chew through tyres during targa despite its considerable weight and supercharged grunt.

Click for larger image

Here you can see the standard Mustang GT interior equipped with Saleen on-dash gauges for boost pressure and intake air temperature. Craig says charge-air temperatures reach a maximum of around 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) when going for it. A few months before our photo shoot, the car had been prep’d for Targa which involved installing a roll cage, harnesses, race seats and all necessary safety equipment.

Even with its roll cage, race seats and the Konis adjusted to their race setting, Craig says the Mustang is very comfortable to drive hard for extended periods.

“It’s not as nimble as something like a Supra twin-turbo – it has a heavier feel. But it stops just as well and its overall pace is really quite good,” he says.

Click for larger image

Next year, Craig plans to get serious about achieving a high-end result at Targa; it won’t be just a promotional exercise. With more horsepower, a Saleen six-speed gearbox, even bigger brakes and a return to his usual co-driver, it looks like this crowd favourite will be right up there kicking some Porsche butt!

Interested in Owning a Saleen?

Craig Dean currently imports and converts Mustangs and Saleens for registration in Australia. If you’re interested in a piece of the action it’ll cost you around AUD$120,000 for a brand new Mustang GT (depending on spec), about AUD$155,000 to create a Saleen replica (as done here) or AUD$168,000 for a genuine supercharged Saleen S281.

Start saving!

Contact:

Sports and Luxury Cars/Mustang Motorsport
+61 3 9753 5799

www.sportsluxurycars.com.au

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