STEEDA HISTORY
Steeda Founder Dario Orlando was born into cars, with his father having designed elements of the Ford GT40, original Thunderbird, 1964.5 Mustang, and even the original Cobra logo. Dario’s father was Domenico Orlando. He became Senior Design Stylist Director working on advanced concept, production, and race cars. Darios Grandad Al Valeria originally started working for Ford Motor Company in 1910
Dario started racing young and won the South Atlantic Race Championship at age 19. After getting his competition license at the young age of 19, he raced everything from MGs, Datsuns, and Toyotas, and in 1977, driving a bug-eyed Sprite won the South Atlantic Race Championship. In 1979 at the age of 22 he competed in the FIA World Challenge for Endurance Drivers by competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring and entering the 24 Hours of Daytona driving an Alfa Romero GTV. His success put him in Ford’s view and he was recruited to help develop the US/EU XR4TI “Merkur” Sierra
Out of desire to make faster Mustangs, Dario quits his job to start Steeda and recruits Steve Chicasola
1993 Steeda Cobra R is first Cobra R to win a race in competition. it represented to the world that Steeda prepared Mustang could be competitive on a world-class event. Steeda and Ford SVT initiated joint collaboration together on the development of the 1995 Cobra R program. Taking the real race world knowledge that Steeda acquired with the 1993 Cobra R program campaign, Steeda various modifications and changes to the Mustang platform. In addition, Steeda collaborates on a special 21-gallon fuel cell for the Cobra R that enables it to be more competitive and successful in competitive racing conditions.
1996 At the famed Daytona International Raceway, the Steeda Cobra R is the first Mustang to ever win a Pole Position in the professional IMSA GS Class competition – setting the stage for future good things to happen.
A Steeda Cobra R sets a new track record at the Daytona International Speedway in the inaugural IMSA endurance race that the Cobra R competed in. Once again proving that the Steeda performance parts and its race preparation program is a serious contender in this hotly contested race series.
At the Texas Motor Speedway, the Steeda Cobra R wins the first IMSA race for the Ford Mustang Team since Jerry Titus won at Daytona in 1968..
The Steeda Cobra R performed flawlessly during the race and at the end of the gruelling 6-hour endure it succeeded in lapping the field twice – a huge margin of victory
Car & Driver's World's Hottest Tuner Cars From 0-to-150-to-0 August 1998 issue names the Steeda Q as "biggest bang for your buck”, beating out cars costing six times as much
Steeda is the first company to partner with Ford on the SEMA Transfer Technology Program. This allows Steeda designers and Engineers to have direct Access to Ford CAD data and pre-release models.
Steeda expands performance upgrades into Fusion and Focus lines in 2006
Steeda expands and builds massive state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Valdosta, Georgia
A total of seven Mustangs specially modified for the rigorous driving needed for the movie “Need for Speed” are built all using suspension modifications provided by Steeda. Need for Speed emphasised a NO CGI special effects film method, meaning that the Mustangs needed unparalleled suspension performance and durability. There was only one company to turn to. Steeda!
The 2015 Steeda Q-Series lineup debuts at SEMA 2014. Offering power levels ranging from 490 hp to 777 hp, the Steeda Q-Series is the ultimate Mustang for pony car war domination.
Celebrating 30 years, Dario and Steve along with many, many others that make up Team Steeda. And of course, Steeda is still winning races and setting records, both on the track and on the drag strip. The 2017 Q500R wins SCCA 2017 Tropical Endurance Series Championship driven by Dario Orlando and Glen Vitale
Steeda teases the 2018 Steeda Mustangs and reveals the Steve McQueen Limited Edition Bullitt
Steeda starts delivery of the Steve McQueen Bullitts and also starts setting world records in the "Silver Bullet" Drag development NA 2018 10 Speed auto!