THE BOSS IS BACK

© All photos by Harvey Schwartz

THE BOSS IS BACK By Harvey Schwartz

The new Mustang is an aftermarket dream machine easily transformed from the factory specs into a blown-out racecar. Steve Saleen, the number one small specialty builder of Mustangs, commemorates the mark's 1970 Trans-Am Championship with Parnelli Jones at the wheel with a limited edition of 500 Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition 'Boss 302' Mustangs in Orange Grabber custom paint with black stripe, and Shaker hood - just like Parnelli's racing 1970 Boss 302 Mustang.

This Mustang is all about power and performance, as Saleen bores out the 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 to 5.0 liter or 302 cubic inches, uses the Shaker hood intake system, forged aluminum pistons, forged steel connecting rods, forged steel crankshaft, ported aluminum cylinder heads, aluminum dual-core radiator and high-flow cooling system, 24 lb/hr fuel injectors, power pulleys and SFI approved damper performance camshaft, and 2.5-inch stainless steel custom dual exhaust system with aluminum tips. Power output is increased to 400 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 390 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Changes to the driveline include a short-throw five-speed manual transmission, a lightweight aluminum flywheel, an 8.8-inch differential with 3.73:1 final drive ratio for exceptional acceleration.

Parnelli Jones Changes to the suspension include linear rate coil-over springs, front and rear, 1.38-inch front and 0.79-inch rear sway bars with heavy-duty bushings, front and rear Nitrogen shocks, and a rear race-inspired Watts linkage. Braking is upgraded with Saleen 14-inch slotted and vented rotors clamped with four-piston calipers up front and the factory solid discs and single-piston calipers in the rear.

This race-bred Mustang rides on giant 19x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear Minitite-inspired aluminum alloy wheels with Saleen/Parnelli Jones center cap. These light alloy wheels are wrapped with Pirelli 275/35ZR19 front and 285/40ZR19 rear high-performance tires. The interior gets special edition PJ Racing bucket seats, a 200 mph speedometer with black faced dials, special edition instrument cluster, special edition auxiliary gauge pod with oil pressure and oil temperature gauges, chrome dash vents and bezels, PJ edition steering wheel emblem, PJ edition billet shift knob, PJ edition floor mats and aluminum door sill plates, PJ edition aluminum pedals, PJ graphics/badging and PJ console plaque, 4-gauge instrument cluster with MyColor feature, and Ford's Shaker 500 AM-FM/6-CD/MP3 sound system.

The stunning exterior features special edition front and rear fascias, PJ serialized front bumper, race-inspired air dam, Shaker hood scoop, PJ edition hood pins, special edition chrome trim up front and in the rear, special edition side skirts, special edition quarter window panels, 1970 replica wing, rear window sports slats, race-inspired billet fuel door, trunk insert license plate panel, PJ edition reusable vinyl #15 graphic, PJ edition badging, and a PJ edition 1970 commemorative championship wreath graphic. This new Mustang from Saleen looks great and drives like a race-car with a superb high-revving V8, lowered race-tuned suspension and a howling dual exhaust announcing your arrival.

Priced at $59,000.00, the all-new Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang celebrates an American racing legend, and adds thrills when you are behind the wheel, your feet working the metal pedals and your hands full, quick shifting and turning the perfect, leather wrapped steering wheel. © All text supra and photos by Harvey Schwartz

SUMMARY JUDGMENT Saleen and Jones have put together a virtual time machine that goes from 2007 to 1970 in 4.8 seconds. For more information on Saleen products, go to www.saleen.com More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition 'Boss 302' Mustang Price of vehicle: $59,000.00 Engine type: 5.0 liter aluminum, SOHC, 3-valve V8 Horsepower: 400 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 390 pound-feet at 4,000rpm Drive configuration: Front engine/rear wheel drive Transmission: Saleen close- ratio, five-speed manual Front suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, lower control arm, linear rate coil springs, Nitrogen gas shocks, anti-roll bar Rear suspension: Live axle, 3-links, nitrogen gas charged shocks, linear rate coil springs, anti-roll bar, Panhard rod Wheels/tires: 19X9 front/20X10 rear Saleen aluminum wheels, 275/35ZR19 front, 285/49ZR20 rear, high-performance radial tires Brakes: Front-14-inch slotted/vented rotors/four-piston calipers Rear- 11.8-inch solid rotors/single-piston calipers ABS Overall length: 189 inches Overall width: 74 inches Overall height: 56 inches Weight: 3,356lbs. 0-60mph: 4.8 seconds EPA mileage: N/A