Saleen Club of America

Featured Car of the Month

Dennis & Dana McKee's '00 S281-SC

# 00-0111 ~ September 2004

This month we feature a 2000 Coupe owned by Dennis and Dana McKee. 2000 was a great sales year for Saleen with 974 units produced, the best year in the history of Saleen. 2000 Supercharged cars featured an Eaton M90 Supercharger, and were advertised at 350hp and 410tq. If you have been at any car shows in California you most likely have seen this very clean example of a Saleen in person, as Dennis is quite active in the SCOA West Region. The story of 00-0111 is told below by the owner himself. Enjoy!

-The Saleen Club of America

Our 2000 S281-SC (00-0111) is the first Saleen my wife and I have owned, though it is not my first Mustang.  In ’93, I purchased a black ’90 5.0 LX hatchback.  The first owner modified it with GT40 parts, exhaust, 3.55 gears, etc.  I quickly fell in love with Mustangs and modified it further.  Though extremely fun and liberating, occupation changes forced me to sell the car a couple years later.  I was out of the Mustang scene for several years.

Then in August ’99, my wife and I were looking to get a “pleasure” car.  I knew what the new body style Mustangs and Cobras had to offer but wanted to find something a little more unique.  I was curious to see what Saleen was doing with the New Edge Mustang, so we contacted them and they directed us to Santa Margarita Ford.  Once arriving at the dealer, we were both floored by the gorgeous looks of the car.  A test drive impressed us further.  We thought things over for a few weeks during which time the 3^rd Annual Saleen Car Show took place.  After attending the car show, we our decision was made.  We placed our order and waited an agonizing amount of time until taking delivery of the car in early November.  The Saleen was immediately gratifying.  We loved the distinctive styling and turnkey performance, a combination we felt was a great value in late 1999.

The base car was a loaded GT, with leather, Mach 460, etc.  Then of course, Saleen transformed it into a supercharged S281.  Options include the Pirelli P-Zero tire upgrade with 10" rear wheel, chrome wheel upgrade and Saleen Posi-Traction control system.

It should be obvious from the photos, that my wife and I are not Saleen Purists.  While content for some time with the stock car, we soon had the desire to make it stand out from three other ‘99+ silver Saleens we see in our city and from the other S281s at car shows.  Notable modifications include…

• Engine:  Modified MAC Cold air intake, Magnaflow catted x-pipe, braided stainless intercooler hoses, Odyssey PC680MJ battery.
• Drivetrain: Pro 5.0 shifter, MGW shifter handle, FRPP aluminum drive shaft with Metco safety loop, Saleen differential cover
• Suspension/Chassis:  Maximum Motorsport caster/camber plates and K-member brace, Saleen offset steering rack bushings, Saleen Quad Shocks, Global West competition sub-frame assembly
• Brakes:  Brembo 2000 Cobra R 13” front brake kit, Brembo Sport Series rear rotors, Goodridge stainless brake lines
• Interior:  Color matched trim pieces, Cobra leather shift boot, chrome plated billet pieces
• Exterior:  Saleen Heat Extractor Hood, '01+ "Smoked" headlamp assemblies, Pro-Fit electric fuel door, Saleen “S” badges

Further modifications will likely focus on suspension and additional chassis bracing.

The only historic significance about this car is that it was used for prototyping the production master of the S281-E hood.

My wife and I enjoy showing the car a few times a year at local Southern California events.  We also like participating in regional SCOA functions.  The club has introduced us to some great people and we look forward to a lot of fun as SCOA grows.  A goal of mine is to get the Saleen out on a road course and the drag strip.  Someday…

Feel free to email me at theheadpaneer@hotmail.com if you have any questions about the car.

 Please click any of the pictures below for the full size image.