A/FX-CELLENCE
September 23, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
SMOKIN’ THE POKER RUN
Boaters who traveled from as far away as Houston to participate in the first Smokin’ the Sound Poker Run were not disappointed. They enjoyed excellent weather, great hospitality at all of the Poker Run stops and they got up close and personal with the best spectator venue on the Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association circuit.
Because there were several who were experiencing their first Poker Run, the basics were outlined in a morning meeting. Participating boats would each receive a card in a sealed envelope at each of the stops on the Poker Run route with the top three hands winning the prize money.
Sweet Patina
We recently had the opportunity to work on a Levi’s Edition AMC Jeep Renegade—a unique piece of off-road history that has undoubtedly seen its fair share of adventures. The exterior still boasts its original paint, complete with bumps, scrapes, and surface rust that showcase the character that comes with many years of use and enjoyment. Rather than opting for a fresh new repaint, our mission was to preserve its tough, battle-worn patina while adding protection and a nice polished matte finish to show it some love. We wanted to enhance its character, highlighting its scars instead of hiding them, and, with the assistance of Sweet Patina’s products, we accomplished this beautifully. This Jeep didn’t spend its life tucked away in a garage; its paint tells a story, with each scratch, chip, and faded patch serving as a badge of honor. We felt that applying a shiny new paint job would be a disservice to this classic Renegade.
Remembering Chris Raschke: A Life Engineered for Speed
The automotive and motorsports world lost one of its most dedicated champions on Sunday, August 3, 2025, when Chris Raschke tragically passed away following a crash at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He was 60 years old.
Spotlighter
SALEEN SSC
ULTRA-RARE, ULTRA-VALUABLE
Unless there’s a collector’s car that was purchased and directly put into someone’s collection, you’re probably looking at the lowest-mileage Saleen SSC in the world, and it belongs to Jack Redeker from Redeker Ford in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Author
Bob McClurg
Story & Photography
Saleen SSC: A Celebration of Milestones
Of course, there were 161 Saleen Autosport-built SSCs assembled in 1989 to celebrate not only the fifth anniversary of the company but also the 25th anniversary of the Mustang.
The Journey of SSC 89-0012
This car (serial number 89-0012) was built on April 26, 1989, and shipped to Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park, Kansas, on May 21, 1989. It was originally sold to John Ponak (Metro Motors) from Kansas City, and the condition of SSC 89-0012 indicates it was stored most of the ensuing years. Everything on this car is pristine, almost as if it were driven off the dealer’s showroom floor only yesterday.
From Kansas to Florida: The Auction Story
Jack Redeker purchased SSC 89-0012 at the Third Annual Kruse Auction held in Ft. Myers, Florida, on March 25, 2000. The consignee (or seller) is listed as one J. Jervorsek from a company called Vehicle Ventures, which is presumably a muscle car dealer broker.
A Pristine Piece of Mustang History
SSC 89-0012 is now the centerpiece of Redeker’s modest collection of early- and late-model Mustangs, and he says he plans to keep this one forever! Works for us! We thought you would enjoy a look back. We sure enjoyed our time with the car.
