June 2008

Randy Pethel's 1989 SSC #18

"I've always been a Mustang guy right from child hood.”

My dad helped me buy my first Mustang when I was 17. It was a 1977 Mustang II. Oh what a Hotrod.  My girlfriends Pinto could out run it so I had to get rid of it. LOL.

I got married in 1984 to my long time girlfriend and always remember that was the year that Saleen opened their doors. I instantly fell in love with Saleens as well as my wife . I got the Fever and I had to have a Mustang of some sort again. We were 20 year old newlyweds so we could not afford anything that expensive especially a Saleen.

Four years later in 1988 although she wasn't totally thrilled at the idea we bought our first Mustang together. It was a new '88 GT convertible. We still own it today. It has become a member of our family.

I credit this car for bringing me to find my SSC. I really wanted a Saleen but I decided to settle for what was in our budget at the time.

At that time the New SSC was being introduced and I just drooled over it in the Magazine articles. I remember thinking that was the best looking Mustang I had ever seen.

Over the years we enjoyed our convertible but I always kept up with the Saleens. About six year ago I came to realize that over time the GT was getting tired looking and had lost its Luster. Also over the years I had kind of lost interest in the car. I had to make the decision to restore it or sell it. I decided to restore it. It turned out pretty good so we started taking it to shows and cruises.

That was fun so we joined a local Mustang Club and that was when I met a member named George Gast. He had an Red '87 Saleen that was absolutely Awesome. He and I quickly became close friends. The more time I spent with George the more I just had to find myself a fox Saleen. He resparked my desire to own one so the search was on.

Not long after that George and I were attending a Car Show and I noticed an SSC parked along side and not entered in the show. I had Never seen an SSC in person so I had to go check it out. I was shocked and surprised to find a For Sale sign in the window.

It was cosmetically challenged. The interior looked nice but needed some TLC. The exterior was rough. The paint and decals had faded and had years of accumulated nicks and scratches. 

George really new his Saleens so I had him look at it and he pointed out a few problems and missing parts. I decided right then that I had to have it.

The next challenge was selling the idea to my wife. We looked at it together and I was shocked when she gave me her blessing with a "Big Thumbs Up". She new it was my dream for years to own a Saleen so here was my chance at a SSC of all things. Boy do I love that women!  We made an offer to the owner and he excepted. WOO-HOO! 

For the first 2 weeks I drove the wheels off that car. I then decided it was time to take it apart and repaint it. I started watching Ebay for parts.

One thing led to another and for the next 6 months I spent a lot of money and practically every waking moment on the car. I found a few of unwelcome surprises along the way. It had been in an accident at some point and the right front fender and drivers door had been replaced. The hood had repaired damage on that same side so I decided not to reuse it.

As you can tell I added my own styling preferences throughout my restomod. With Georges expert help I have slightly upgraded every aspect of the car. Brakes, suspension, chassis, interior, and engine upgrades as well as Bling.

I've tried to modernize but not deviate too far from the original SSC design and keep my mods tasteful. 

So here are my results in these pictures. Introducing my SSC #18. "Extreme SSC" as I like to call it.

  I've had a Ball with this car. It turns heads everywhere I take it, and has been undefeated in its class for the last 3 years of car shows. "Knock on wood"

Its best day on the dyno resulted in 441rwhp and 414 torque at the wheels. That's with the original SSC  heads and block. Not too shabby, thanks Saleen.

The car is a blast to drive and I'll never part with it.

  Thanks to my Wife Lisa and Daughter Jinni for allowing me to pursue my Saleen dream and enjoy my Mustang hobbies with me.. I also want to thank my friend George for coaching me and turning wrenches on my restoration of SSC#18.  

Randy Pethel:  ExtremeSSC

   

 

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