[littlecammi]

Apparently everything at Saleen headquarters was auctioned off today over the internet, including new Mustang GTs (which would have been converted into Saleens), various car parts (sets of 19" rims, boxes of custom headrests, etc.), equipment for building the cars, office equipment, etc.

I think there are similarities with the Fender electric guitar company. Founder Leo Fender sold his company to Columbia Broadcasting Systems (CBS) in 1965, and CBS tried to increase profits by producing a lot more guitars. But their mass-produced guitars were not nearly as good quality as those produced previously. CBS wound up selling Fender guitars at a big loss. The Fenders worth the most today are the guitars built before the sale, always referred to as "pre-CBS". Steve Saleen sold his namesake company three or four years ago to an investment group who then also purchased ASC and tried to increase profits by producing more Saleen Mustangs and Saleen F150s. It is apparent that the current poor economy did not need large quantity of Saleens. Roush and Shelby have been building lots of specialty Mustangs the last few years as well, thus stealing possible Saleen sales. And now with Challenger here and Camaro on the horizon, more Mustang sales will be lost. Especially to Dodge and Chevy enthusiasts who had gravitated to the S197 Mustang GT simply because it was the only American musclecar game in town the last few years.