The Saleen S7

American Supercar Royalty

One glance at the Saleen S7 and you know it will rip your face off. This American-made mid-engine supercar is an absolute animal. The brainchild of Steve Saleen, it’s a supercar worthy of mentioning in the same breath as the Ferrari Enzo, or the McLaren F1.

Saleen, a former race driver turned automotive entrepreneur, set out to build a car that could compete with the best supercars in the world, and he succeeded.

The Saleen S7 is a stunning. It’s wide stance and low profile, along with sleek, aerodynamic lines suggest something epic coming your way, while the butterfly doors add a sense of drama and flair.

Propelled by a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine producing 750 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, the Saleen S7 does 0–60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds.

But the Saleen S7 is more than speed. Thanks to the mid-engine layout and advanced suspension, the car handles superbly. The car features driver-adjusted shock absorbers and anti-roll bars that fine-tune the suspension as required. The massive 15-inch rotors and 6-piston calipers provide ample stopping power.

The Saleen S7 is more than just a pretty face. It has a racing pedigree. The car competed in various motorsports events, to include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it placed second in class.

From its stunning design to its blistering performance, the Saleen S7 is an icon of American automotive engineering that deserves to be lauded. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to grow a beard, don a leather bomber jacket, and drive across the country with nothing but a cigarette dangling between your lips and a thermos full of your favorite energy drink.

CROSSING THE BLOCK

This absolutely immaculate 2003 example, built in October of 2003 at Saleen’s Irvine, California facility and finished in red over tan leather, recently crossed the block for USD $551.000.00.

WATCHING

Watch ‘the Stig’ storm the Top Gear test track: (sort of)

The Saleen S7 is the craziest supercar you’ve probably never heard of. Watch Doug DeMuro’s in depth review and learn more about the quirks and features of the Saleen S7.

Originally published at https://everydaydriven.substack.com on February 28, 2023.