Photo: Bring a Trailer
Preceded by the Bronco II, the Explorer entered the scene in 1990 or the 1991 model year with great pomp and circumstance. Larger than its forebearer, the mid-size utility vehicle with Ranger underpinnings was first offered exclusively with the overhead V6 from the Cologne series. The V8 had to wait a few years…
Enter the second-generation Explorer, also based on the Ranger but now available with a pushrod V8 sporting cylinder heads developed specifically for the utility vehicle. Because it shares plenty in common with the 5.0 H.O. of the Fox-body Mustang, this engine had a lot to offer right off the bat. Still, some customers wanted a bit more muscle and their desire came true.
The 1998 model before your eyes is a Saleen XP8 Supercharged special edition, chassis number 1FMZU35P5WZB18340 of fewer than 300 units ever made. The 28th example shows 23,000 miles (37,015 kilometers), and it’s currently listed on Bring a Trailer at $9,300 with two days to go.
According to the selling dealer, the MUV – a.k.a. muscle utility vehicle instead of multi utility vehicle – spent 21 years with the original owner in New Jersey and it’s never been damaged since it rolled off the line. Backed by a clean title and similarly clean report from Carfax, the high-po Explorer from Saleen hides a good ol’ blower under the hood.
While the N/A 5.0 offered 222 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque (225 PS and 220 Nm), forced induction leveled those ratings up to 286 horsepower and 333 pound-feet (290 PS and 451 Nm). At the time, you couldn’t get a more powerful SUV in the mid-size segment. The closest alternatives that we can think of are the Magnum V8 in the ZJ Grand Cherokee and the Vortec V8 in the full-size Tahoe.
Finished in Toreador Red over Tan Leather for the Recaro seats, the brawny utility vehicle retailed at $52,228 when it was brand-spankin' new. In other words, we’re talking about $82,705 today (adjusted for inflation).
Before bidding on this fellow here, do remember that Saleen hasn't made replacement parts for the XP8 and its six-cylinder brother the XP6 since 2001. As opposed to the eight-pot option, the XP6 didn’t feature a supercharger.
The 1998 model before your eyes is a Saleen XP8 Supercharged special edition, chassis number 1FMZU35P5WZB18340 of fewer than 300 units ever made. The 28th example shows 23,000 miles (37,015 kilometers), and it’s currently listed on Bring a Trailer at $9,300 with two days to go.
According to the selling dealer, the MUV – a.k.a. muscle utility vehicle instead of multi utility vehicle – spent 21 years with the original owner in New Jersey and it’s never been damaged since it rolled off the line. Backed by a clean title and similarly clean report from Carfax, the high-po Explorer from Saleen hides a good ol’ blower under the hood.
While the N/A 5.0 offered 222 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque (225 PS and 220 Nm), forced induction leveled those ratings up to 286 horsepower and 333 pound-feet (290 PS and 451 Nm). At the time, you couldn’t get a more powerful SUV in the mid-size segment. The closest alternatives that we can think of are the Magnum V8 in the ZJ Grand Cherokee and the Vortec V8 in the full-size Tahoe.
Finished in Toreador Red over Tan Leather for the Recaro seats, the brawny utility vehicle retailed at $52,228 when it was brand-spankin' new. In other words, we’re talking about $82,705 today (adjusted for inflation).
Before bidding on this fellow here, do remember that Saleen hasn't made replacement parts for the XP8 and its six-cylinder brother the XP6 since 2001. As opposed to the eight-pot option, the XP6 didn’t feature a supercharger.
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