The Saleen S7 is the brainchild of Steve Saleen, owner and founder of Saleen Inc., known for enhancing the performance and looks of Ford Mustangs while also having a formidable racing team. Unlike Saleen’s previous projects, the S7 was a homologation special replete with a bespoke chassis purpose-built for competition. On the track, the S7R quickly earned the respect of some of motor sports’ most seasoned professionals, achieving impressive class wins at both the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The road-going S7 is essentially a street-legal racecar. With a lightweight carbon-fiber body and a potent 7.0-liter V-8 based on Ford’s small-block Windsor engine, performance was otherworldly in its day and remains so now, with a 0–60 sprint of just 3.3 seconds and an estimated top speed of 220 mph. Though Saleen does not appear to have released official production figures for the S7, research indicates that approximately 78 total units, including in both racing and street specification, have been produced.

The example offered here was produced in January of 2003 and sold new in Los Gatos, California, as indicated on a copy of its certificate of authenticity. According to the consignor, it is believed to be one of only a handful fitted with Saleen’s Competition Package, which brought output of the 7.0-liter V-8 to a heady 625 horsepower. At an additional $75,000 over the base price, the package included an uprated camshaft, upgraded intake manifold and exhaust, and a reprogrammed ECU. The original owner ordered this S7 in Bright Silver with a Black Leather and Grey Alcantara interior fitted with factory competition seats. The original seats and seat belts were retained and are included, should the new owner wish to reinstall them. Other notable features include optional chromed wheels and a factory-upgraded touchscreen audio system.

With its incredible, race-winning pedigree, the S7 is undoubtedly one of the most compelling supercars of its era and among the most iconic American sports cars of all time. This example, presents extremely well, showing just over 9,400 miles on the odometer at cataloguing time. Being just one of seven produced with its color combination and factory options, as well as being equipped with the rare Competition Package, is even more special, making it an exceedingly desirable find for supercar and motorsports enthusiasts.