Then & Now: 86-0083 – Those Elusive Convertibles Of 1986

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PHOTOS: CHRIS FLANDERS & MIKE CHARLES

Nineteen eighty-six, a model year of continuing formation and growth for a young Saleen Autosport. After their learning curve freshmen effort; Saleen Mustang production was standardized with both vehicle content and build location, a new Escort Endurance racing effort with lead sponsor General Tire was inked, while national Ford dealer awareness brought Saleen Mustangs into new mid-west and east coast markets. This was the year that set to establish Saleen as an image builder and halo performance brand.

For 1986 the convertible body style was not an official offering from Saleen. No marketing materials exist, nor pricing and ordering details. The lone hint to a Saleen Mustang convertible came way of 85-0038 and a photograph in Hot Rod Magazine. A supplemental image included with a road test feature on the new 1985 Saleen Mustang hatchback. An article that published in April of 1986.

Regardless of hurdles and simple unawareness, eleven buyers ponied of nerve and dollars to request a special Saleen Mustang convertible during the sophomore production year. From what we have found, six were painted black, three were bright red and two were white. While six were built on the readily available Mustang GT chassis with the remaining five on the Mustang LX 5.0 chassis.

Currently living the easy life, our feature car 86-0083, is one of two 1986 Saleen convertibles ordered by Galpin Ford. Both vehicles were based on Mustang GT chassis’, painted bright red, equipped with charcoal leather interior, and required the steering wheel delete. 86-0083 was the second arrival and most notably featured in the 1986 Los Angeles Auto Show. As of this writing the older twin is also alive and well.


86-0038
P27 GT Convertible, 5-speed
1C - Black, A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 2/13/1986
85 Body Pieces, Stock Shift Knob, W/s Decal, Hatch Name Plate & Side Stripes Shipped In Trunk, Ford Factory Cruise Removed, Rear Wing & Cross Member Bar Delete

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86-0040
P27 GT Convertible, 5-speed
2R - Bright Red (Jalapena), A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 3/3/1986
Stock Steering Wheel, Shift Knob, Rear Wing & Cross Member Bar Delete, Ford Lthr

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86-0044
P27 Convertible, 5-speed
1C - Black, A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 3/13/1986
85 Body Pieces & Shift Knob, Rear Wing Delete, Kenwood Stereo, Car Mats

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86-0083
P27 GT Convertible, 5-speed
2R - Bright Red (Jalapena), A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 5/7/1986
Ford Factory Cruise, Delete Wing Cross Member Bar, Steering Wheel, Black Top

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86-0088
P27 Convertible, 5-speed
9L - Oxford White, A - Charcoal, Silver, White, 6/11/1986
Customer Provided Wheels & Tires, Cross Member Bar Delete, Rear Wing Not Installed But Shipped With Car, Customer Custom Painted Car & Emblems All White, White Top

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86-0090
P27 GT Convertible
5-speed, 9L - Oxford White, N - White/Red, Silver, White, 7/24/1986
Rear Wing,& Cross Member Bar Delete, Kenwood Stereo, White Top

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86-0101
P27 Convertible, Automatic
1C - Black, A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 7/3/1986
Rear Wing, Cross Member Bar & Shifter Delete, Kenwood Stereo, Auto Trans, Black Top, Grey Momo Strng. Wheel

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86-0140
P27 GT Convertible, 5-speed
2R - Bright Red (Jalapena), N - White/Red, Silver, Grey, 9/16/1986
Rear Wing Delete, White Ford Leather, W/s Decal Shipped In Trunk, Kenwood Stereo

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86-0163
P27 GT Convertible, 5-speed
1C - Black, A - Charcoal, 9/19/1986
Rear Wing & Cross Member Bar Delete, Kenwood Stereo, Black Top

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86-0189
P27 Convertible
5-speed, 1C - Black, A - Charcoal, Silver, 10/18/1986
Kenwood Stereo, Unpainted Silver Wheels, Black Top, Rear Wing Delete

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86-0200
P27 Convertible, 5-speed
1C - Black, A - Charcoal, Silver, Grey, 10/12/1986
Cross Member Bar Delete, Black Top, Wing Shpd With Car