In 1995 BASF offered a sweepstakes where the winner would win a 1 of 1 1995 Saleen Painted in Mystic Paint (very very close to the full production paint that was coming out in 1996 for the Cobras). Below is the official press release and below that the press release for the original winners.
For a Complete Photo Gallery Of the 1995 Mystic Saleen Click Here
“BASF “Horse of a Different Color” Sweepstakes”
“Southfield, MI, July 15, 1996 – BASF’s “Horse Of A Different Color” Sweepstakes is introducing the country to the amazing, color-shifting “Mystic” finish developed by BASF.
This amazing finish, known as “Mystic,” can appear teal green, emerald green, blue, violet or gold depending on the angle from which it’s viewed. Even more remarkable is that Mystic achieves this fluid, chameleon-like effect with a simple two-step, basecoat/clearcoat process.
“This will be the future of automotive color styling, because of the effect you can achieve,” says Tom Hoenle, director of marketing/North America with BASF’s Refinish Division. “The degree to which you can obtain the color shift effect has never been this great. Even with tri-coats you couldn’t get this pronounced of an effect.”
The “Horse of a Different Color” theme refers to the sweepstakes Grand Prize: the one-and-only Mystic edition Saleen Speedster. This dazzling, lightning-fast Ford Mustang, first seen at the 1995 NACE and SEMA shows, is the first vehicle to sport the remarkable Mystic finish.
The experts at BASF took Saleen’s custom supercharged road machine and covered it in a brand new, state-of-the-art finish that’s like nothing ever seen before.
The Saleen Mustang’s sleek lines are the perfect vehicle for showcasing Mystic’s prismatic color effect, results that refinish experts have labeled “color by physics.”
The constantly-changing Mystic finish results from combining a hi-tech, five-layer pigment flake with BASF’s newly-introduced “Glasurit Line 55” basecoat/clearcoat system. The two-step Mystic finish process is not only easier to apply, but yields more dramatic results than the standard tri-coat approach. And Mystic offers a consistent, symmetrical color shift, regardless of the light or intensity.
When the Mystic Saleen Mustang went on display at the 1995 SEMA and NACE shows, attendees got an up-close look at the dynamic effect produced when Mystic’s dazzling lightplay meets a muscular street machine. (In fact, this was a slightly subdued version of the Mystic finish, having been mixed with black. The added opacity tones down the color shift effect and improves hiding.)
Although the Mystic finish is not yet commercially available, Hoenle believes it will eventually command a substantial share of the color market, once people see the shifting array of colors they can get.
“In a few years, you’re going to see a lot of cars sporting a prismatic type finish,” says Hoenle. “People find the shifting color effect very appealing, and we’re anticipating a tremendous demand for it in the future.
“I guess you could say the Mystic finish on this Saleen Mustang is the next generation of automotive finishes.””
“Delaware Couple Wins Ford Mustang in BASF “Horse of a Different Color” Sweepstakes
Southfield, MI, January 6, 1997 — Lewis and Diane Huffman of Seaford, Del., are now the proud owners of the one-and-only Mystic Edition Saleen Speedster. The Huffmans won the BASF “Horse Of A Different Color” Sweepstakes grand prize vehicle when their card was randomly drawn from over 71,000 entries.
The Mustang’s keys were given to the Huffmans at BASF’s NACE extravaganza in Orlando, Fla., on November 8. While the band played “Mustang Sally,” BASF Group Vice President Don Campbell presented the keys to the lucky couple.
The “Horse Of A Different Color” theme refers to the car and its unusual appearance. This dazzling, lightning-fast Ford Mustang, produced by Saleen Performance and personally signed by Steve Saleen, was first seen at the 1995 NACE and SEMA shows, and is painted with the amazing color-shifting Mystic finish developed by BASF.
The experts at BASF took Saleen’s supercharged 480-hp road machine and covered in the state-of-the-art Mystic finish that’s like nothing ever seen before. Mystic can appear teal green, emerald green, blue, violet or gold depending on the angle from which it’s viewed. Even more remarkable is that Mystic achieves this fluid, chameleon-like effect with a simple two-step, basecoat/clearcoat process.
The Saleen Mustang’s sleek lines are the perfect vehicle for showcasing Mystic’s prismatic color effect, results that refinish experts have labeled “color by physics.”
The “Horse Of A Different Color” Sweepstakes ran from May 15 through September, 30, 1996, and was promoted via full-page inserts in June, July and August editions of refinish industry trade publications. It was open to any resident of the U.S. or Canada. Entry forms were provided in the inserts, at counter displays in BASF jobber stores or directly from BASF.
BASF, a global chemical company, is among the world’s leading producers of automotive coatings. The Automotive Refinish Group, headquartered in Southfield, Mich., markets high-quality automotive coatings under the R-M® and Glasurit® names.”
For a Complete Photo Gallery Of the 1995 Mystic Saleen Click Here