THE FRIENDLY GIANT; He's a firm giant, too, and Dan Gurney is making sure more than his name goes into Saleen's new Mustang.(News)

Byline: PETE LYONS

"If my name's on it, I want a very user-friendly automobile. It should be able to withstand a certain amount of abuse and still not work up a lot of perspiration. It's an elusive thing, but it's well worth reaching for.''

Dan Gurney's name is indeed on this car, and it sure is a name worth protecting.

That's why one of the great drivers of American auto-racing history-who is also a longtime manufacturer of race cars (Eagle) and motorcycles (Alligator), though he's never produced a street car-has been personally involved in developing Saleen Automotive's new Gurney Signature Edition Mustang.

In particular, Gurney has been insistent that its ride and handling meet his exacting, distinctive standards, never mind that only 300 will be made and selling the entire run probably would require no more than his name.

Not that Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur had any such plot in mind when he approached Gurney about five months ago. A fellow race driver with keen appreciation for the sport's history, Wilbur certainly knew that Mr. All-American Racer has never been able to keep his hands off his cars-cars that have won in Formula One, IndyCar, GTP and so many other spheres.

So, although this project is a direct follow-up to Saleen's successful 2007 venture with Parnelli Jones and his own version of the Mustang, Wilbur fully expected Gurney to call for something different.