SaleeN-parnelli Jones '07 Limited-Edition MustangParnelli Jones' legendary status goes back to the '60s on race tracks across the country, most notably as a Rookie-of-the-Year at the '61 Indy 500 and as a winner of the storied race in 1963. He has raced in so many varieties of sanctioning bodies on dirt and asphalt, that it's too difficult to chronicle in just a few paragraphs.
One of Parnelli's more historic racing achievements was the championship he won in Trans Am while driving a Grabber Orange '70 Boss Mustang. Steve Saleen and his staff decided to commemorate that classic Trans Am-winning Mustang by offering a Parnelli Jones Limited-Edition Mustang (featured in our May '07 issue). The Parnelli Jones and Saleen relationship dates back to the '80s when Parnelli was a driver on the SCCA Manufacturer Championship winning Team Saleen.
The PJ Mustang, as most call it, is a virtual clone to the Trans Am-winning Boss car thanks to the retro style offered by the S197 platform. Obviously, the Grabber Orange paint is standard, along with 19-inch wheels and other race car-inspired body upgrades. Filling the performance part of the retro-style is a Three-Valve-headed engine that now displaces 302 ci thanks to a 3.80-inch stroke crank, Saleen rods, and forged pistons. The heads have been fully ported, and Saleen spec camshafts are bolted to them. Output is a lofty 400 hp from this naturally aspirated street engine. The transmission remains stock, and 3.73 gears are installed in the 8.8-inch rear. The suspension has been treated with a Watts Link rear setup and full-on Saleen Racecraft shocks, struts, and springs. Saleen is limiting production to just 500 units.
Tim Matherly, '01 Bullitt Mustang Perhaps one of the coolest moves a drag racer can pull is a big wheelstand. Huge wheelies are a status symbol, and we love to chronicle them. Tim Matherly performs such feats of acrobatics on a regular basis with his NMRA Real Street racer. Not only that, but he also runs darn fast in this highly limited category. Matherly has the '04 championship and countless record-setting performances credited to his rsum.
The Georgia runner hits the track with a rare combination in the category-a Two-Valve SOHC modular engine that sits under the hood of his '01 Bullitt. The engine, built by Matherly's own MV Performance, has Ross pistons, a cast crank, and Mod Max I-beam rods. Up top, a set of MV-ported Two-Valve heads channel the boosted air into the cylinders. The boost is supplied by a non-intercooled ProCharger P1SC-2 supercharger system. A full line of Bassani exhaust components expels the spent gases. Class restrictions require the engines be equipped with stock camshafts, making this an even more impressive combination.
Another requirement is the use of a factory-style stick shift transmission-Matherly relies on a Tremec TKO-500 and RAM clutch to harness the supercharged horsepower. The stock suspension bites hard, and the 3,175-pound Mustang launches with wheels up. This past season, the car has gone a best of 9.79 at 137 mph in NMRA competition.
Dakota Wheeler, '93 Mustang LXNotchback Mustangs rock-especially when powered by a stroked and poked Windsor engine and with a slick custom paint job applied to the body. Dakota Wheeler built himself a wicked coupe that terrorizes the streets of Texas. PPG and House of Kolor paints were mixed to bring a stunningly beautiful design of blue flames and lime base color. There's no mistaking this car on the highway as you can see it coming a mile away. Boyd Coddington wheels, wrapped in Falken and Pirelli rubber, and a Harwood cowl induction hood enhance the custom bodywork.