Collectors of rare cars will be excited to learn that a pre-production prototype of the Saleen S1 is being auctioned on eBay. Adding to its appeal, this is believed to be the only running example of the mid-engined sportscar, as the rest of the prototypes were exclusively created for static display.
The Saleen S1 hasn’t been a success story for the American company. Six years after its debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show, there is still a “coming soon” note on Saleen’s official website, with an advertised starting price of $120,000. This means that besides the 20 units of the Saleen S1 Cup racecar created for a canceled one-make series in 2019, this prototype is the only one of its kind with a functional drivetrain.
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According to the seller, the vehicle belongs to a longtime Saleen collector who is also one of the company’s main investors. The reason he wants to part ways with it is that he recently sold one of his warehouses and needs to downsize his collection which also included five examples of the track-only Saleen S1 Cup.
This particular model was originally painted in Berylium Orange before being re-painted in Lizstick Red which is the favorite color of Steve Saleen’s wife Liz. Since 2017, it has been exhibited in several shows and appeared in promo videos with Jason Statham behind the wheel, before being retired from the company’s fleet in 2021. Today, it has less than 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on the odometer and appears to be in great condition despite a few rough bits due to its pre-production nature.
As a refresher, the Saleen S1 is fitted with a mid-mounted turbocharged 2.5-liter engine producing 450 hp (336 kW / 457 PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear axle via a six-speed manual gearbox. The carbon fiber bodywork and the aluminum chassis result in a weight of 2,685 lbs (1,218 kg). The track-focused setup comprised double wishbone suspension with adjustable coilovers, and Brembo brakes behind the 20-inch forged wheels.
The Saleen S1 prototype might be driveable but it doesn’t have a VIN # and is currently limited for track use. A street-legal conversion could be possible, although it will likely require a lot of paperwork and a few modifications. At the time of writing, the highest bid was $75,300 and didn’t meet the reserve price. Still, there are two more days before the eBay auction closes just in time for the new year.
