Some things get better with age. Well, in this case, it’s faster.
A very rare Saleen S7 LM supercar is coming up for auction at the RM Sotheby’s event in Arizona on Jan. 24.
The two-door coupe was originally built in 2007 by the American outfit, which was famous for its modified Ford Mustangs and racing cars at the time.
It came powered by a naturally aspirated 427 hp V8 rated at 750 hp and had a claimed top speed of 220 mph.
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In 2017, Saleen offered its customers the opportunity to upgrade their cars to a new S7 LM trim inspired by the company’s Le Mans racing cars. The addition of twin turbochargers cranked the power up to 1,000 hp and the stated top speed to 248 mph, with power sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Further modifications included an adjustable rear wing, rear diffuser, upgraded suspension tune and more powerful brakes to handle its newfound speed.
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A maximum of seven builds were allotted, but only three were ever completed, this one in 2018. Saleen later announced plans for a 1,500 hp S7 with a top speed of 298 mph, but business issues put the project on hold.
Fewer than 100 of the original S7s were built from 2000 through 2009 and they typically trade in the $600,000 to $700,000 range, while the S7 LM up for grabs at RM Sotheby’s was last sold in 2021 for $1,022,550.
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Few cars in history have top speeds as high as the Saleen S7 LM’s alleged maximum velocity, and the only ones from boutique American brands are the SSC Ultimate Aero, SSC Tuatara, Hennessey Venom GT and Hennessey Venom F5.
The closest one from a major U.S. manufacturer is the upcoming Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which has a top speed of 233 mph and a $174,995 starting price.