When you put pen to paper and start making a list of American super car models, it doesn’t take long to conclude that The Land of the Free is not a leading purveyor of the species. In fact, you can fit the list on a standard Post-It. Google reckons there are just four generally — Ford GT, Hennessey Venom GT (which are current), a couple of Mosler MTs, and the Saleen S7 (which are deceased).
So come and check out a rare example of what happens when American British engineering meets super car specifications, and then it all gets screwed together in the U.S. of A.
Hemmings features the large and in charge vehicle you see above — a Saleen S7, from 2004. Saleen produced a few S7 examples each year between 2000 and 2006. Though it’s commonly thought of as an American creation, the S7 was designed and first built in the United Kingdom by Ray Mallock Ltd., for Saleen. However, the idea for the concept did come from Steve Saleen (an American). For the rest of the model’s run, Saleen built the S7 in Irvine, California.
Speeding away from The Golden State is handled with ease. Put your foot on the floor and enjoy a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds. As you’d surmise from this figure, there’s some serious firepower somewhere within the subtle, anonymous carbon fiber, axe-murderer flanks.
Behold, the bored and stroked 7.0-liter Ford Windsor V8, which in this particular car is naturally aspirated. In 2005, the S7 Twin Turbo became available, which upped the horsepower from 550 to 750. Top speed is over 200 mph, even in this scrawny naturally aspirated version.
The ad cites there were only eight S7 examples built in 2004. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s the only S7 built to this particular specification of silver paint, Band-Aid colored sun lounger chairs, and other miscellaneous options. When your total production figures are in double digits though, it’s not that hard to create unique combinations. Be sure to check out the unique alignment of those hand-crafted door panels!
But then again, that’s the point of throwing down cash on something rare, isn’t it? I think my favorite angle is right up there. The car goes under the hammer for the 2017 Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction, which runs this week, with an estimated sale price between $390,000 and $450,000. That means this super car starts at just $709 per horsepower. A bargain! Better get hold of your broker.
[Images by Sotheby’s]
“Behold, the bored and stroked 7.0-liter Ford Windsor V8, which in this particular car is naturally aspirated.”
Naturally aspirated? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
It seems like a lousy idea, this natural aspiration. I hope it doesn’t catch on.
I just realized the only thing I’m missing from my fleet is turbo. I’ve got a carburetor, fuel injection, direct injection – I4, V6, and V8.
But is it AWD? Seems like a significant number of the B&B don’t believe that any vehicle is worth considering if it isn’t.
You have four wheels, may as well power all of them.
I’m starting a new thing, I want six wheel AWD. Four wheels are for proles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_G63_AMG_6x6
Nope, only RWD. Trash.
Mustang performance and Dodge Neon interior quality at Ferrari prices.
By Grapthars Hammer…..What a Savings.
I think it’s a -bit- faster than a Mustang!
IIRC The 7 liter in the Saleen is loosely based on a Windsor. It shares some things but is more or less its own engine.
That center stack just *looks* like it’s from the Ford / Mazda parts bin (and the steering column assembly definitely is), but I can’t figure out from where. It would be a shame, though, if it actually isn’t…and the designers went out of their way to make it look as cheap and plebeian as possible.
Thankfully, it seems we’re out of the era of kit-car supercars, and the modern supercar has as much ceremony in its interior design as its powertrain and running gear.
Also, is that the handbrake sticking out at an angle beside the driver’s seat, or a piece of the frame?
I think perhaps with that new low volume law on the books, we could see a resurgence of vehicles of this type.
That hand brake is very 1988 Fiero-esque…which jives with your kit car theory quite well.
I also noticed the hand brake angle is very odd, out into the cabin like that. And there is very poor foot room. I would imagine driving it any considerable distance with nowhere to put your left foot is not a fun thing.
“Thankfully, it seems we’re out of the era of kit-car supercars, and the modern supercar has as much ceremony in its interior design as its powertrain and running gear.”
I strenuously disagree with this statement. Effort directed towards interior decorating is effort robbed from what makes a supercar super. Austere interiors keep out the undesirable owners too.
You get this when you don’t want to be just another Ferrari owner and you can’t afford a Mclaren F1.
It weights marginally less than a c6 z06 and the same as a 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia.
I’d much rather buy a 2005 Ford GT for that money.
But the 2005 twin turbo is a different animal..
I agree. I’m unsure of the price difference between the TT and the NA.
The NASCAR engine in an endurance racing prototype chassis is the appeal here. The Ford GT is a supercharged replicar.
Pretty sure this was in the movie Bruce Almighty (I think he drives upside down in a tunnel) but I’m too lazy to look it up.
Yes, but no. He drives the S7 through gridlocked traffic that parts like a rose-colored marsh near the Nile River.
“like a rose-colored marsh near the Nile River.”
Well that was lovely.
left out of the article and helpful information for people commenting on the parts bin engineering and build quality is that this wasn’t really a street car. This was essentially a racecar modified to be street legal, and was awfully close to a prototype of the time (GT manufacturers complained about the car). It had some of the highest downforce numbers of any production cars (If I remember right, it equaled its own weight at like 160 mph). The car also had a fantastic race record, including class wins and championships in various series and a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Along with the Maserati MC12, this car is probably the closest connection you’ll find to one of the great eras of GT racing, when Ferrari, Saleen, Corvette, Maserati, Viper, and Aston Martin campaigned big bore 6-8 liter V8s, V10s, and V12s making 600+ hp and hitting over 210 mph at Le Mans was the norm.
If you’re selling it to customers who are going to put a plate on it, and asking a huge price – it’s a street car.