Saleen Automotive auctioned the rights to the coupe S7 and its racing version S7R, molds and tooling for them to assemble, six finished the chassis and components. At the same time the hammer will be launched and a unique concept S5S Raptor.
Saleen, founded in 1983, American race car driver Steve Saleen, began as a tuning studio, but in 2000 moved to the cars of its own design.
The first model was the S7 coupe with 558 hp 7-liter Ford V8 engine and the «mechanics». S7 overcome the first hundred in 3.3 seconds. And its «charged» version had a 7-liter twin-turbo power of 760 liters. with. (Incidentally, this model is presented in the auction will not be).
Then he was racing with the R 600-horsepower engine that allowed the car quite reasonably participate in the «24 Hours of Le Mans.»
With regard to the concept S5S Raptor, its premiere was in 2008. A prototype of a 650-strong five-liter «eight» was intended to replace the S7. There was a version of the work is provided on bioethanol E85.
Just before the presentation of the concept of the company has left its founder Steve Saleen. The company has gone from hand to hand, have begun litigation around the brand itself. From own development in Saleen gradually abandoned and by 2011 returned to tuning. In 2013, the founding father of the company once again regained, but as you can see, nothing good came of it. On the horizon loomed bankruptcy.
At least at the end of 2014 the firm had on his account 7.2 thousand. Dollars and the debt exceeded 5.6 million. However, in the company of this information regarded as defamatory, which in itself is not obscured chief: Steve Saleen's important to stay afloat, why else would need auction.
