Progress Thread Project PMOR: 97 Saleen S281 #19 build

SorsCode

Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
Jun 10, 2003
983
389
93
St. Louis, MO
#1
Long time member of StangNet and many other forums over the years, but never really did build threads. Time to change that. I have been a long time Saleen fan and have collect parts for over the past 20 years. Starting in 2019 I decided it was time to find a project car, I wasn't looking for a mint car, I wanted something I could put my own twist on it but keeping the styling Saleen intended. Well in February an opportunity opened up to purchase a 97 S281 #19. This car was a project someone started a few years ago and wasn't really going anywhere. This car is at @95steedamustang (Kevin) shop in TN, I mean how lucky can someone get right, and he used to own it at one point. Kevin and myself will do periodic updates as the car progresses. Some of the photos I'll be sharing will be before I purchased the car, but shared to my by Kevin.

For now here are some photos of the condition before we started the build.

PMOR = Pull Me Over Red

 
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#3
The original person who started this build decided to order all new Saleen parts from Saleen. Well they don't fit like they used too (Original wasn't great either). Here is the fitment attempt. Decision was made to use the original spoiler at that time and the newer bumper.


 
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#6
More stripping and prepping.... Unfortunately the drivers fender is aftermarket and the prior owner decided to keep it. This will change in the near future as I'm working on locating a good factory original replacement.
 
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#8
Well, it's time to say goodbye to the radio antenna hole in the fender since the fender is going to bare metal to be worked. While at it, lets just get rid of the weak 4.6L V8 and T45 while we are at it. Also time to say goodbye to all the suspension.

.
 
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#13
SorsCode said:
I'm going to do my best to try and do weekly updates. Last week was a little crazy.
Click to expand...
Man you ain’t kidding. This car was one of the worst I’ve bodyworked. Every dang panel needed major work. And the former owner made it worse by not being capable of making a good decision.
 
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#15
This poor car has been in the actual shop
Less time than any Ive done. 100% because the previous owner was the worst “build a car owner” I’ve ever worked with on one of these. Now it has one of the best owners @SorsCode …who actually knows car stuff and how to handle a project of this level. So it didn’t take long to get out of purgatory and inside. Next steps are to simply make it looks like the others!!!!
 
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#16
That's some serious paint and body there... from a hard top in red, to a black convertible, back to red hard top, back to black convertible! You really are a magician!

Also, what do you mean by "the worst “build a car owner”"? Like kept changing the plan, didn't pay on time?
 
#17
Yes. All those and more!!!
 
#18
@95steedamustang Whoa! It's inside! Thanks for the kind words. This has been an awesome project so far. Almost doesn't feel right to have it in the same post with yours the way it is today. There is going to be another load of goodies coming your way in July.... Just need to track down one more important piece first. Sorry no spoilers
 
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#20
More work on the rear bumper, drivers side and lining things up. The bumper pictured is not the original. It is the one you order today from Saleen and the drivers side front fender is aftermarket.

 
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