[Auto] A Quarter-Million Dollars in Saleen Ford Mustangs and Trucks Sold at Mecum Auctions’ Indy Classic

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“Collections,” or, groups of, say, six or more special vehicles that are owned (and now being sold) by one person or entity, are major elements of every Mecum vehicle auction. 

Regardless of what type of cars or trucks are in each collection, hearing an auctioneer qualify a vehicle by announcing it is “from the X, Y, or Z collection,” gives that ride a level of prestige that sets it apart from other, many times like, vehicles that are individually up for bid.

 

At the 37th Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Jason Dietsch presented nine of his Saleen Fords as a collection. The batch hit our radar about a month prior to the May 2024 event, and with Saleen cars being in the spotlight since the recent unveiling of the 800-horsepower Saleen 302 Mustang Black Label, we decided to keep an eye on Jason’s cache as it crossed the block.

 

As anticipated, a coveted 1989 Ford Mustang Saleen SSC was the biggest breadwinner for Jason, as it hammered at $80,000 (Note: Published prices do not include various fees that are associated with Mecum sales). This car is one of 250 that were produced in recognition of Mustang’s 25th anniversary.

 

 

A white-with-white-top 1989 convertible followed in earnings, bringing in $42,000. Another white '89 ragtop (with a white interior and black top) in Jason’s collection reached a high mark of $20,000, but curiously did not sell.

We got our first look at Jason’s 1988 Ford Ranger Saleen Sportruck at the NMRA’s Saleen reunion event in Norwalk, Ohio. The rig’s uniqueness, rarity, and excellent condition made it valuable, and a great buy at $39,500.

 

This immaculate 1990 Saleen LX hatchback surprisingly did not sell when the hammer dropped at $28,000. However, after being placed in the “And the Bid Goes On...” standby area, a Mecum-facilitated deal between Jason and a buyer was reached (with Mecum fees included, $33,000), and it now has a new owner.

 

Another cool, and “who knew they made these?” Saleen rig in Jason’s collection was this 1997 Ford Explorer XP8 that sold for $22,000. HOT ROD senior editor KJ Jones is personally familiar with Saleen Explorers, as they were sold by the dealership he worked at in '97. The addition of a centrifugal-supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine and Saleen’s suspension tricks make this a performance SUV for sure.

 

A Mustang that would make any hardcore ’Stangbanger’s heart beat faster, the 1986 “four-eye” Fox hammered for a much lower price than we anticipated ($21,000), given its excellent condition, Saleen pedigree, and the fact that lesser Ponies have garnered more dollars at Mecum auctions. 

 

 

No Clean Sweep

 

Two vehicles in the Jason Dietsch Collection were not sold at the Indianapolis bid. Non-sales typically are the result of a seller’s reserve price not being met, and failed efforts to negotiate a deal when a vehicle is placed in the “And the Bid Goes On” hopeful-sale-pending group. 

At $23,000 when the bid closed, a black-on-mostly black 1992 coupe did not leave the fleet, nor did another non-Mustang, Jason’s 2005 Ford Focus Saleen S121 ($15,000).

 

Following Jason’s journey of selling a “collection” of very special Saleen vehicles at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction was interesting, exciting, and pressure-filled. With several rides not quite reaching their reserve prices, Jason was forced to make on-the-spot decisions on whether to lift a reserve or stick to the number he wanted for the car or truck. It’s a gamble that almost every seller who places a reserve on a vehicle must make. With more than $232,000 in total sales (again, this is without Mecum’s fees being calculated), Jason’s Saleen collection is a solid testament to the notion of holding onto a specialty vehicle. At some point, it, or they could be worth many times more than the amount they cost when they were originally purchased. 

 

https://www.motortrend.com/news/mecum-auction-indianapolis-jason-dietsch-saleen-mustang-collection/