From what I have read about Saleen in the car mags, it has undergone some radical changes as a company. I think they started out as another specialty shop in the Detroit area doing things like converting small numbers of coupes into convertibles. The OEMs didn't have to commit big changes to what started out as very small numbers when convertibles reappeared on the scene. Then they developed the awesome Saleen Seven as a concept car to show capabilities and then moved that forward into their own limited production. A great car, but like Panoz and both Shelby's, Carroll and SSC, very limited numbers.
Somewhere along the way Steve Saleen left the company. I don't know if he is back or starting another company or who is allowed to use the Saleen name. I do know that the Saleen modified OEM sportscars are considered a quality upgrade like AMG. I'm guessing the usual buyer does not short the options list. The only real point is better performance since the styling cues that indicate the fact that you spent a lot more money for your Camero, are subtle.
There certainly are more specialty/tuner companies now than ever. It would be nice to see Torvec devices popping up in supercars as well as things like Tesla electrics. If that happens this year, that would be nice, but hopefully only a short transition to MASS production. Fully loaded Cameros and Caddys are great, but I'd rather see many more parts in the cheapest Hyundais. IMO.
BTW, when you click on Drede's link with Steve Saleen in front of his sportscar, even they haven't mentioned the Camero project yet. As I said, maybe he is starting another company or SMS is regrouping, but that might explain the lack of PR drumming over the new Camero. Considering that the reborn GM was on the fence about producing the Camero, I guess everyone is a little fuzzy on future production schedules. Perhaps the farce of selling, not selling, SAAB, dropping Pontiac and Saturn, etc., means that they actually do have a motivation to produce the high visibility Camero. The bottom line is the retro Mustang was a huge hit for Ford and GM needs the Camero AND the Corvette to stay in production at Chevy for many of the same reasons they always had, starting in 1953. The company still seems to be a mess, but they did manage to bring back Cadillac and that was almost as dead as Oldsmobile. Cadillac is itching to beat BMW and Lexus, so some exceptional technology right now sure seems to be the only way they are going to inch ahead. I hope that is where they max the heck out of Torvec. We will see. Hang on members of the lost brigade.
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