The Ford Mustang Boss 302R kicked off the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season with a bang, with the No. 61 Roush Performance team of Billy Johnson and Jack Roush Jr. taking the first win of the season at Daytona. That momentum didn’t carry into the second race of the season at Barber Motorsports Park, though, with none of the Mustang teams having a very successful weekend. The Rehagen Racing Boss 302R was the top finisher in 9th, followed by the Starworks Motorsports Boss 302R in 13th. Both Roush teams were involved in bad wrecks and finished far back in the pack, with the No. 61 Boss 302R ended the race 11 laps back and the No. 51 Boss 38 laps behind.

Regardless of how well the Ford Mustang teams do during the race, we always like seeing pictures of them out on track. Feel the same? Check out a gallery of Mustangs from this past weekend’s Barber 200.

Ford Mustang Boss 302Rs at Barber Motorsports Park

Earlier today Steve Saleen officially announced that after several years of litigation he has successfully regained control of the Saleen brand name and the products he has created and built since 1984.

“In 2007, it was a difficult decision to resign from Saleen, Inc.”, says Steve Saleen. “But I knew it had to be done in order to preserve the Saleen brand and to ensure the authenticity and high performance that our customers had come to expect.” Steve Saleen further added, “Although the Saleen brand is a huge part of my identity, I knew it was the vision and passion that would shine through on my signature vehicles. However, it couldn’t have been done without the support of the Saleen community. The foundation and inspiration that they gave me to move forward with my vision was what ultimately moved us to regain the Saleen branding. Most importantly the Saleen community gets their identity back as well.”

Jim Dvorak, who heads the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club, explains, “There have been some tough times for the members of our community, starting with Steve’s resignation from Saleen, Inc. The company tried to tell us he retired, and even put a positive spin on it, but only some of us knew what was really going on. Most of the company was sold off, and then it changed hands again. Many of our owners and enthusiasts were feeling abandoned and confused, and quite frankly they were misled about what evolved and why. It has been especially confusing for new entrants into the hobby, but also for longtime followers of Steve Saleen who weren’t aware of the day-by-day happenings and didn’t have a direct line to Steve that we have.” SOEC is the officially-recognized organization for the marque, and has been a dedicated force behind Steve Saleen for decades.

The return of the Saleen brand will allow Steve Saleen to begin offering all of his current SMS Supercars products under the Saleen flag. With this move, SMS Supercars will be carefully integrated into the Saleen branded family of products.

Steve Saleen will also be launching under the Saleen brand its 4V, SC, SSC, and X Models of the 2013 Mustang, 2012 Challenger, and 2012 Camaro ranging from 425hp to over 750 horsepower. These models will have the latest technology in Aerodynamics, Suspension, Braking, and Performance starting at less than $40,000. This is expected to provide a full range of products for all Saleen dealers, speed shops, race teams, and automotive customers in the American Pony Car segment of the performance market. All aftermarket offerings will include Saleen superchargers, SMS superchargers, Saleen and SMS vehicle body components for Mustang, Challenger and Camaro, his signature SMS butterfly hoods, as well as all other interior and engine parts for these vehicles.

Having reunited with the Saleen brand, Mr. Saleen is planning to make available all 1984 to present Saleen vehicle aftermarket, replacement and warranty parts. These will be available through the Saleen.com website, by calling Saleen (formerly SMS Supercars) at 800-888-8945, or through the nearest authorized Saleen dealer.

Moving forward, Mr. Saleen will have the Saleen Owner’s Registry updated to include all SMS branded vehicles, which will allow them to gain their rightful place in the Saleen family. The Saleen Owner’s Registry is the official record established to maintain the authenticity and exclusivity of all Steve Saleen signature vehicles. Also, the Registry provides the lineage from which a Letter of Authenticity can be requested by an owner, which documents the origin, provenance, and authenticity of each signature vehicle.

Additionally, any current owners or dealers of SMS branded vehicles will be provided with replacement badging for their vehicles, if they so desire. They can contact the customer service division of Saleen directly, provide the details on their vehicle, and the replacement Saleen badging will be sent out immediately.

“With this new launch of Saleen and the new models on the horizon, we are excited about what the future holds for Steve, the brand, and especially for our members,” continues Dvorak. “It’s the best news we’ve had in many years, and will really inject the hobby with energy and passion!”

Steve Saleen announces official details for Saleen brand acquisition

Ford Racing knows that the best way to sell parts is to let people see them on a car. For that reason they have built quite a few project cars over the years that serve as rolling examples of what can be done with parts from the FRPP catalog. Ford Racing isn’t afraid to prove their their cars’ merits, either. Their last project, a supercharged 2011 Mustang GT, set a record for the fast production car for a close half mile course a little over a year ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.

With the launch of the 2013 Mustang, though, it’s time for a new project. The car, featuring the new Gotta Have It Green paint color, actually made its debut alongside the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet and Boss 302SX Concept at the PRI Show back in December, but this is the first time we’ve got official details and photos from Ford Racing. Like its predecessor, the 2013 Mustang has the FRPP 2.3-liter supercharger system under the hood as well as a variety of other performance upgrades including upgraded Brembo front brakes, an adjustable FRPP suspension system, tubular rear lower control arms and more. The exterior is fairly subtle, featuring black Track Pack wheels and a Boss 302 Laguna Seca front splitter.

You can see a full list of upgrades and photos of the Ford Racing 2013 Mustang project car below.

Ford Racing 2013 Mustang Project Car Features:

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine: Coyote 5.0L Ti-VCT aluminum block and heads
Ford Racing Billet Aluminum Cap Set, M-6766-M54
Boss 302 Coil Pack Covers, M-6P067-M50B

Power Adder

Supercharger: FRPP/Whipple 2.3-liter supercharger, intercooled twin-screw, M-6066-MGT624D
Fuel System: Sequential mechanical returnless with 47 lb./hr. injectors

Exhaust

Ford Racing Mustang GT Side Exhaust System, M-5220-MB, w/ Sport muffler kit, M-5230-MGTLA

Transmission/Driveline

Getrag MT82 six-speed manual w/ Boss 302 Trans Cooler Scoop, M-5025-MBR
8.8-inch Rearend with Ford Racing 8.8-inch axle girdle/cover, M- 4033-G2

Electronics

Engine Management: Copperhead PCM w/Prototype FRPP Supercharger tune
Ignition High-output coil-on-plug

Front Suspension

Struts: FRPP Dynamic dampers
Springs: FRPP, 1-inch drop
Front Brakes: Brembo 4-piston caliper, 14-inch front brake kit, M-2300-S
2013 Mustang Laguna Seca Brake Duct Kit, M-2004-MBA

Rear Suspension

Shocks FRPP Dynamic dampers
Springs FRPP, 1-in drop
Tubular Rear Lower Control Arms M-5649-S
Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets M-5650-A

Wheels/Tires

Wheels: Mustang Track Pack Black 19×9-in M-1007-DC199B
Tires: Pirelli PZero 255/40/ZR19

Aerodynamics

2013 Laguna Seca Adjustable Front Splitter, M-16601-MBA

Ford Racing 2013 Mustang Project Car

2011 Shelby GT350

The Shelby GT350 is one of the most expensive Mustangs on the market today. Pricing for a 2012 model starts at $57,499 and can go up to nearly $90,000 when you add on the supercharger, big brake kit, watts-link suspension and the other bells and whistles. While the sticker price might be a shock for some, what’s really surprising is that used Shelby GT350s are selling for even more than new ones.

“We’ve got guys out there with GT350s and even Super Snakes that are selling for more than they’ve got in them,” we were told by Gary Patterson, Shelby’s VP of Operations. “They’re not selling a lot of them – most people are keeping them and enjoying them and having a blast – but there’s not a whole lot of cars today that you can buy brand new off the showroom floor that don’t depreciate significantly. Several GT350 owners that I’ve talked to recently, who because of financial issues have needed to sell their cars, have actually reported back that they’ve made money on them.”

Patterson tells us that the used GT350s were sold for anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 more than what the owners originally paid for them.

Part of the reason for the high demand is that production of the GT350 is fairly limited. Less than 200 were produced for 2011, and a fairly similar amount have been scheduled to be built for the 2012 model year. “That’s certainly why the value of those cars continues to be high,” Patterson told us. “These aren’t mass produced cars.” He did stress, however, that those wanting a new GT350 won’t have to wait an excessive amount of time. “There is a little bit of a waiting list, but it’s not significant. The GT350 is probably six months out, the Super Snake is 60-90 days, and the new GTS is about 40 days, so it’s not a significant wait in most cases.”

Used Shelby GT350s selling for more than brand new ones

Summary: One-of-a-kind with blown 5.0 Liter engine, competition cam, 6-speed manual, Wilwood brakes/rotors, Forgiato custom wheels. All proceeds to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Will be sold at approximately 8PM on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Details: SPX Commissioned this “one-of-a-kind” Ford Mustang created in collaboration with Ford Racing and the amazing craftsmen at Galpin Auto Sports to be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson’s 2012 Scottsdale auction with all proceeds donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Founded in 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children’s research Hospital treats children with cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. SPX is a Charlotte-based, Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturer with operations in more than 35 countries. SPX’s highly engineered solutions support three critical needs around the world: electricity, processed foods and beverages, and vehicle service. SPX has a history of supporting St. Jude with the help of Barrett-Jackson. As Chris Kearney, Chairman, President and CEO of SPX shares, “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is an excellent organization that does amazing work. Over the past two years, we’ve worked with Barrett-Jackson to raise more than $450,000 toward St. Jude’s fundraising efforts, and we look forward to adding to that sum with this year’s auction.” “The 1969 Ford BOSS 429 Mustang inspired this year’s effort,” notes Dave Kowalski, Vice President of SPX. “SPX wanted to blend modern technology and capture the stealthy essence of 60′s muscle cars,” he adds. It seems both 5.0 Mustang Magazine and Rides Magazine agree SPX achieved their goals as each magazine featured the SPX/St. Jude Mustang on their covers. Renowned Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) of California developed the Mustang to “perform as well as it looks,” said Ted Mengiste, director at GAS. Galpin widened the Mustang body nine inches, using all hand-rolled metal fabrication. As Ted points out, “We gave it a blown 5.0L Ford Engine with a competition cam, producing over 700 hp, coupled to a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission and other bits and pieces from Ford Racing.” Wilwood brakes and rotors were installed for braking. While the 22X14 and 22X11 Forgiato three-piece custom wheels with Pirelli Tires help transmit over 630 ft lbs of torque “to the ground.” Its black interior is accented in red suede with headrests that give tribute to St. Jude. Sunpro, a product of SPX, provided gauges. The Mustang audio system is upgraded with massive JLT speakers and amps, while maintaining the original stock head unit. The exterior is painted in a unique PPG red, reminiscent of the 60′s candy apple red paint jobs. Performance lowering spring, Bassani exhaust, BOSS Laguna Seca pedestal spoiler, and the 1969 BOSS 429 hood scoop round out this highly customized muscle car.

Final Selling Price: $160,000

Galpin/SPX Widebody Mustang was sold for $160,000

Earlier this month we were the first to tell you about a new custom Mustang being built by Galpin Auto Sports that would be auctioned off for charity at the Barrett-Jackson auction in January. Now we are proud to show you the first live photos of the car, literally hours after it was completed at GAS. The car is amazingly accurate to the original rendering (sans graphics), from the functional Boss 429 hood scoop to the custom-fabricated widebody kit that adds an extra nine inches of girth to the car. Under the hood, the 5.0L V8 has been fitted with a Ford Racing supercharger system and a set of Comp’s XFI Blower Cams good for 700 horsepower.

Want to see the Galpin widebody Mustang for yourself? The car will be on display at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction from September 22-24 as well as at the SEMA Show from November 1-4. We wouldn’t be surprised if it makes it to a few other car shows and events as well.

Until then, check out our exclusive gallery of photos below.

pictures of Galpin’s widebody Mustang

Galpin Auto Sports has built quite a few widebody Mustangs over the last couple of years, starting with the Shelby GT500 that debuted at SEMA in 2010. Since then they’ve debuted more widebody Mustangs at SEMA including the Boss 302-X one-off Shelby GT500 Super Snake, and they also worked with specialty manufacturer SPX to create a custom Mustang inspired by the Boss 429 that was auctioned off for charity at Barrett-Jackson earlier this year . Each car has been impressive in its own way, but they all have one thing in common – they’re coupes. Recently Galpin Auto Sports decided to take on their first widebody Mustang convertible, the result of which you see here. The hand-built steel fenders stretch the width of the car by a full nine inches, allowing for massive Forgiato 3-piece wheels with wide Pirelli tires (295/25ZR-21 front and 335/25ZR-22 rear). GAS also fitted the Mustang GT with a complete Ford Racing suspension system, Magnaflow quad-tip exhaust system, Wilwood 14-inch cross-drilled and slotted brakes front and rear and a custom Burgundy and Black leather interior.

So who’s the lucky new owner of this widebody 2012 Mustang Convertible? Thomas duPont, co-founder of the dupont Registry, recently added the car to his already impressive collection of sports cars.

Galpin Auto Sports builds custom widebody Mustang Convertible