Saleen unveils SMS 25th Anniversary Mustang Concept

Specialty vehicle manufacturer and racing legend Steve Saleen is celebrating his 25 years in the business with the introduction of the 720hp (537kW) SMS Twenty Fifth Anniversary Mustang Concept. Despite retiring last year, Saleen, together with hits new performance company SMS, has developed the special edition Mustang that he describes as personal car for himself that appropriately marks the anniversary. At present there are no plans to produce it.

The car features a host of new SMS performance parts include new side splitters, a custom carbon-fiber diffuser, billet aluminum signature elements and a two-tone leather interior with unique badging.

Under the hood sits a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine sending up to 612hp (456kW) and 670ft-lb (907Nm) of torque to the rear wheels. Stopping power comes from custom cross-drilled 15in brake discs held by six-piston calipers up front.

Saleen’s racing pedigree dates back more than 30 years, with his first race taking place at Riverside International Raceway in 1973 where he took his GT350 to the winners' circle. He then moved up through the amateur and professional ranks of closed and open-wheel racing during the ‘70s and ‘80s, racing and winning against drivers such as Bobby Rahal, Gilles Villeneuve, and Danny Sullivan.

His racing career eventually intertwined with his USC business degree when, in 1983, he formed Saleen Autosport and produced his first vehicle – a white and blue 1984 modified Ford Mustang.