Trans AM Stallion
Saleen and Parnelli Jones team up to build a late-model Mustang like no other
by Justin Wakefield
photos by Jerry Heasley
The biggest surprise about the PJ is the handling. Although the original 1969-70 Street Boss 302 employed leaf springs at the back, with staggered rear shocks to quell axle hop, the race cars employed a Watt’s Link. To that end, Saleen considered the Watt’s setup, much like the 302 engine, a fundamental component on the ’07 PJ. Saleen employs its own Racecraft system on the MacPherson strut front and live axle rear suspension, including its own special springs and damping. Combined with the Watt’s link, it makes for a seriously involving driving experience. On canyon roads north of Los Angeles, the PJ behaved like a slot car, turn the wheel, stab the throttle, and steer into the corner. The Mustang hunkers down and it always asks for more. Poise and grip are something else for a car of this size, power and weight – such is the confidence it inspires The Pirelli Extreme 19 inch tires feel like they secrete adhesive through every turn.
The brakes are strong too – 14-inchers, both front and back and forget about fade, it just doesn’t happen no matter how hard you try. Compared to the old Trans Am racer, the 2007 PJ is civilized, but not too much and that’s a good thing. If there is one thing to bemoan, it is the ride. It’s fairly harsh, but a reasonable trade-off considering the handling prowess of this car and just about everything else it delivers. The Grabber Orange paint, the black graphics, hood tie down pins, along with the shaker, front and rear spoilers, rear window louvers and Minilite wheels are just the icing on the cake. This is a car that was born to run and unlike many modern machines, it tantalizes you every time you get behind the wheel. So even though you might be taking a trip to the grocery store, you can almost imagine, wielding this thing through the pack at Elkhart Lake, chasing down Donohue with Posey close on your tail. Many automakers build what they called ‘heritage cars,’ but unlike those pretenders the Saleen PJ is the real thing and quite possibly, the most significant muscle car built in over three decades.
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