Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Saleen Windstar (Seriously!)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-saleen-windstar-seriously/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-saleen-windstar-seriously/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/ebay-find-of-the-day-saleen-windstar-seriously/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for image gallery of the Saleen Ford Windstar

Outrageous minivans are oddities of the train wreck variety. You don't want to, but you just gotta look. And we're suckers for them. Not that long ago we had the ridiculously fast, jet-powered Dodge Caravan, and then there was the show but stock slow Mugen Honda Odyssey.

But what do you think of a Saleen-built Ford Windstar? And, no, it's not a soccer mom special that someone slapped a Saleen windshield header on. This is the real deal. It's got custom-made carbon fiber mirrors, valve covers and steering wheel. The double-nostril hood is custom-made as is the gauge cluster and the fender flares over the Z-rated 18-inch Rikens. Underhood is a Saleen supercharger atop the Ford V6. The eBay auction says more than $100,000 was spent on the monster minivan's production.

So who in their right mind would spend that kind of cash on something originally meant to sit idle in front of daycare facilities? Two words: Tool Time. As in Tim "Tool Time" Allen. Tim teamed up with Steve Saleen several years ago to produce the Saleen Windstar. Just as this prototype was finished, however, Ford redesigned the Windstar and all plans to offer the package for sale were scrapped.

Luckily the van wasn't, and lately has been used as a promotional tool for Port-A-Board, a company that makes collapsible skateboards. It was founded by Brett Gregory, who is a producer of Tim Allen's upcoming movie. And since the Saleen Windstar is still in the family, the winning bidder will get a photo of Tim and the van together can choose to have a photo session with their new vehicle and Tim Allen himself. After six bids, the auction is up to $3,650 without hitting the reserve. You've got six days. Thanks for the tip, Joe.

Gallery: eBay find: Tim Allen's Saleen Windstar


[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Saleen Windstar (Seriously!) originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford minivanford windstarFordMinivanFordWindstarhot rod minivanHotRodMinivanminivanport-a-boardsaleen windstarSaleenWindstartim allentim allen minivantim allen windstarTimAllenTimAllenMinivanTimAllenWindstarwindstarMon, 01 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford S-Max spotted in L.A.; headed to the States?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/01/ford-s-max-spotted-in-l-a-headed-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/01/ford-s-max-spotted-in-l-a-headed-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/01/ford-s-max-spotted-in-l-a-headed-to-the-states/#commentsFiled under: ,



Alert Autoblog reader, Ku Kim, spotted an odd-looking van in Los Angeles traffic. With his always-handy mobile phone, he snapped a couple of pictures of Ford's new S-Max.

But wait, you say, that's not supposed to be here! You're right. The S-Max is Ford's middle-tier European minivan, uh sorry, MPV. (The C-Max is positioned below it, while the Galaxy is the big MPV above it in the heirarchy.)

Could this lone, white S-Max prowling California streets be validation of our January import prediction? With its 5+2 seating, sportier feel and modern lines, the S-Max might be able to carve some sales out of the MPV segment here, but will have stiff competition from the increasingly more CUVs offered by almost every carmaker, including Ford.

Hopefully, this really is an indication of Ford's intention to bring its (at least perceived) superior European offerings across the pond.

Then again, it could be nothing more than a photo shoot in trendy L.A.

Thanks for the tip and photos, Ku Kim!

Ford S-Max spotted in L.A.; headed to the States? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american s-maxAmericanS-maxford minivanford s-maxFordMinivanFordS-maxs-maxunited states s-maxUnitedStatesS-maxwindstarWed, 01 Aug 2007 09:33:00 EST