The RTR community is built on people who get it. Enthusiasts who didn't just buy a car, but found their way into something bigger through a shared passion for performance, culture, and the Mustang nameplate. Kelly is exactly that kind of person, and her Mustang RTR Spec 3 in Molten Magenta is exactly that kind of car.
How It Started
Kelly's path to RTR began before she ever owned one. Kelly had owned many notable Mustangs, including a 1999 Cobra, 2003 Cobra, Calypso Green Foxbody, and, most recently, a Shelby GT350. Working in Mustang parts sales, she was already familiar with the brand when she earned a trip to Formula Drift to meet Vaughn Gittin Jr. as a reward for ranking among the top five in her department's sales.
"That was my first real experience of seeing just Formula Drift in general. I never knew much about drifting, and seeing his car as they changed out the tires and stuff was a really cool experience. That's what first piqued my interest in RTR."
From there, the connection only grew deeper. When the time finally came to jump into the RTR lifestyle with both feet, there was no second-guessing it. "When it finally got to a point in my life that I could afford an RTR, then that was it. I was sold."
A Mustang Lifer
Kelly didn't arrive at RTR without history, as we know, almost everyone has a Mustang story. Her first was a 1999 Cobra, completely stock, which sparked a passion for modifying vehicles that never went away. A lifelong love of the nameplate runs in the family too, with her grandfather showing Fox Bodies and building custom racecars back in the day.
"One thing that I like about the Mustang community is that no matter where you go, whether you're driving an older or newer Mustang, everybody still wants to talk about it.”
Picking Up the Spec 3 at the Lab
When Kelly's Mustang RTR Spec 3 was finished at the RTR Lab, the moment of seeing it for the first time left a mark.
“When I first saw it here at the Lab, I was just shocked. Seeing how everything is completed on the car, going from just a performance-pack GT to a Spec 3, was very cool to experience. Walking through those doors and seeing it sitting there, it was even better than I expected."
She had previously owned a Shelby GT350 alongside the Spec 3, but it didn't take long for the decision to make itself. The Spec 3 was simply the car she reached for every time. "Anytime I wanted to go somewhere, I ended up taking the Spec 3." She sold the GT350 and never looked back.
Built for Everything
Kelly’s Mustang RTR Spec 3 is much more than just an eye-catcher; she regularly runs in mountain rallies, track days, road course days, and even drag strip runs. "To me, Ready to Rock means there are no limits. Whether it's styling, performance, or drivability, there's really nothing that the RTR, in my opinion, couldn't do. I take it to the track, I take it to the mountains, drag strip, you name it, I'm going with it."
Being a stranger is a foreign concept when it comes to Kelly. Since bringing home her Mustang RTR, we’ve run into her at multiple events. Most recently, she displayed her Spec 3 at Ponies in the Smokies in the RTR Collection inside the Sevierville Convention Center.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. even stopped by to admire some of the custom touches Kelly added since taking delivery at the Lab, like her custom-painted Whipple supercharger lid, to match her other teal accents.
It's the all-around capability of the platform that keeps her coming back to it. A car that is genuinely ready for whatever comes next, whenever you’re ready.
Spreading the Word
One of the things Kelly has noticed most since picking up the Spec 3 is how many conversations it starts. "I've been surprised at how many people weren't sure what an RTR was, and then when they see mine, they start asking questions. A lot of people didn't realize you can send it to the Lab and just have everything completely done on the car rather than purchase just piece by piece."
That moment of discovery, when someone sees a fully built RTR for the first time, is something Kelly now gets to be part of everywhere she goes.
The Community
At the end of the day, Kelly's story is about more than a car. It's about what the RTR community means to the people in it.
"Even if you don't know someone, you feel like they're a part of your family, and you know that they would, if you ever needed anything, that they would be there. RTR has kind of brought together like-minded people."
That is exactly what we build these cars for. Welcome to the family, Kelly. Your Spec 3 is stunning.
Keep up with Kelly on her adventures with her Mustang RTR Spec 3 on her instagram here.
