STANG Uncut - The Making of STANG Magazine (BOOK 1)
Mustang enthusiasts have asked for a magazine that has no ads, no sales pitches, and no bogus “fillers” to eat up space. They have asked for a magazine that is free, easy to access, and nothing but focused on Mustang pictures and content. They have asked for a magazine produced and written by Mustang owners. They have asked for a magazine that highlights the daily drivers and the average Mustang that is driven and is not a trailer queen. They have asked for the chance to one day have their ride, their group, their club, or their cause to be recognized in print or online. It is our absolute pleasure to meet these standards and to give you STANG Magazine. We hope that both our message and our image will be seen in every Mustang community out there. Thank you Mustang fans and enjoy your ride!
- Daniel Ramey, Editor-In-Chief
DANIEL RAMEY
RNEGADE –2008 MUSTANG GT
NOW LET’S GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY AND LET ME TELL YOU ALL ABOUT STANG MAGAZINE AND HOW IT STARTED.
THE BEGINNING...
I want to start this story by sending a HUGE thank you to our fans. STANG Magazine would not be around if it was not for you. Period. There were so many times in the past ten years where your comments and feedback kept me moving forward. As in life, we all have our ups and downs and the small little messages here and there personally kept me on track. You helped to remind me why I started STANG Magazine and how much it really means to you and to me honestly. So with my sincerest respect and love for each and every one of you, THANK YOU for everything. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty and let me tell you all about STANG Magazine and how it started.
STANG Magazine literally started because I was tired of seeing printed magazines with so many damn advertisements in them. Call me simple, but I just wanted to flip through pages and see the Mustangs. I really didn’t want to read the articles or learn anything about autos in my younger years. I just wanted to do what all kids do, see the cool cars. Then as I got older and actually owned a Mustang of my own, I ran into that brick wall of “your car is never good enough and will never make it into a magazine.” Well, that thought didn’t sit well with me at all. If you know anything about me, I am one of those people that when someone tells me I can’t do something, I find a way to do it, do it better than anyone else, and do it MY way. So I
started to foster the idea of creating my own magazine, “for the people and by the people” that would give the 99% of us that get ignored the actual chance to be in a magazine, have our Mustang highlighted in print, be able to show off our OWN photos, and tell our OWN stories about our Mustang passion, families, and legacies. All of us have so much to share, and only the 1% that are “trailer queen” Mustangs were getting the lime light. That needed to change.
What prompted me to actually take the final step to develop a prototype of STANG Magazine was that social media and cell phones were taking over the world by storm. I found myself taking all of these photos at car shows and events and having no way to share them. They were just sitting on my phone and what a waste that is. Trust me, go through your phone and see how many hundreds of photos you have taken
DENNIS SAMUELS
DELRIO –2019 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: DENNIS SAMUELS
of your car and nothing will ever become of them.
So with a desire to share my Mustang passion, I sat down at my kitchen table with my small ass laptop at the time and designed the first issue of STANG Magazine in July of 2014. Literally, I sat down at my table, took some photos that I had on my phone, reached out to some of my friends and had them do the same, and I slapped together the first issue of STANG Magazine by writing some articles and wanting to show the world some of the Mustangs that were in my area and owned by some of the people that I knew.
Well, let me tell you what... I was attacked and ridiculed since day one. People left and right were saying STANG Magazine was not a real magazine, the logo of a snake and not a horse was stupid, your “business plan” of keeping it free for everyone to read and using social media only to share the content will never work, not paying for any advertising will kill the brand, the Mustangs in your pages are not good enough, etc... What a ball kicker that was.
So how would that sit with you? Like I said, if you know anything about me, I will do things MY way, better than anyone else, and I will make a point to prove you wrong. My fire was
“STANG
MAGAZINE IS WHAT
I
CALL PASSION PERSONIFIED. IT BRINGS TOGETHER MUSTANG ENTHUSIASTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THEIR ROMANCE AND UNBRIDLED PASSION FOR THIS ICONIC CAR BRAND.”
lit and so I created a tidal wave of change across the globe regarding Mustang magazine publications, delivery, and content. In a twist of fate, STANG Magazine has become the trailblazer in the Mustang magazine industry. Let me explain.
To be a trailblazer, you have to take risks, do things different, and actually put in the effort to see your end goal accomplished, even if that means adjusting your path as you go along.
So let me tell you how I took the steps to develop STANG Magazine and how I did it my way. Let’s review the logo, STANG Magazine’s development, and the Mustangs we choose to go in our pages.
Let’s start with the logo. I was told “the logo of a snake and not a horse was stupid.” Well, there is a simple reason that I chose the Cobra as the logo for STANG Magazine and it has nothing to do with Shelby or Ford. For one, the horse logo is owned by Ford and you can’t mess with anything in this industry that is Ford owned, related, or connected. I’m not even
MIKE MORRISON
EAGLE EYES –2021 SHELBY GT500
PHOTO
CRED:
MIKE MORRISON
going to tell you the time and energy spent getting copyrights and the whole legal aspects of starting your own logo.
Furthermore, the horse is way overused and honestly I find it kind of weak. I wanted a logo that people would see and instantly think “that is badass.” Like I said, I tend to do things different so I envisioned seeing my logo on a black shirt one day and the black Cobra idea was a no brainer. Side note - the first time I saw the STANG Magazine logo on a shirt in public was AMAZING. I knew at that very second, I made the right choice. The Cobra was also fitting in that calling my magazine “STANG” Magazine was short for “MUSTANG” and a black Cobra kind of reminds me of getting bit, stung, or “stang” in the past tense. So the logo was created and the Cobra became our image. Shout out to my friend Deb Denton for the logo redesign in 2019. It has been killer ever since!
Even to this day, people ask me why I have a Cobra on their article pages when their Mustang is not a Shelby. I can only laugh about the intelligence of humans in today’s world. Regardless, now you know the origin of our logo and why it is a Cobra and not a lame ass horse.
“EACH MUSTANG OWNER’S JOURNEY WRITTEN IN STANG MAGAZINE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE ENDURING ALLURE OF THE BREED.”
On to the next step. So, how did I develop STANG Magazine? Well, I was told STANG Magazine was “not a real magazine” and will “never make it.” The irony at that time was that as STANG Magazine was launched and starting to evolve from 2014 - 2016, almost all of the printed Mustang magazines in publication ceased to exist. That to me was evidence that doing a magazine the old way will never work. I needed to do something completely opposite. I was going to make one that is completely free, easily available online to anyone on the planet, have no paid subscriptions, no advertisements, and it will be nothing like anything seen before.
So I did just that. Well, I soon became the only surviving Mustang magazine literally on the planet. I had staff from the printed publications emailing me that they were in meetings where STANG Magazine was talked about and how my “radical approach” was working and taking away their business. Shit you not as God as my witness, these people were contacting me and telling me privately I was single handedly changing the
WENDY & CHRIS CRAWFORD
KAM –2015 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: WENDY CRAWFORD industry.
My idea of FREE for everyone, GLOBALLY accessible online and not limited through print, and “for the people and by the people” that would give the 99% of us that get ignored the actual chance to be in a magazine utilizing our OWN photos and OWN stories was actually working.
Here is the simple business plan of STANG Magazine if you really want to know: MAKE IT FREE AND LET THE PEOPLE RUN IT.
This is how I do it. I still make the magazine completely on my own, on my laptop, and while sitting at a kitchen table. I alone run the magazine, the website, and social media sites. I answer and respond to every fan on a one-to-one basis to ensure building those relationships. Since day one, it has remained the same.
I don’t pay for staff because I really don’t have any staff. Anyone helping me are all volunteers, friends, or other Mustang enthusiasts with the same passion. Special shout out here to Chuck Dekett for his rebrand of our magazine layout and design and graphic expertise to take STANG Magazine to the next level. Just like my buddy Chuck, STANG Magazine’s friends and volunteers offer what they want, when they want, and however they want. They do so because they share the same vision.
I do not pay for any advertising because I use a “grass roots”
approach where people find out about STANG Magazine through friends, family, and others by word of mouth or what they see in person or on social media. That also controls our strong, solid, and slow growth versus an overnight wonder that fizzles out within a few years. And by focusing on the 99% of the “forgotten Mustang owners” versus the 1% “trailer queens”, there is never a shortage of content, fan base, or support. To top it off, within that time frame when STANG Magazine was starting to pick up speed, we were already global and Ford launched selling Mustangs world wide. That literally opened the door to all of our international fans to join in on the STANG Magazine vision.
So how did I develop STANG Magazine? Exactly like I told you - MAKE IT FREE AND LET THE PEOPLE RUN IT. And how do I respond to the people that have said STANG Magazine is “not a real magazine” - I would say “look around. Your version of “real” magazines no longer exist.”
PAUL BELLIS
BEAUTY & THE BOOST –2004 MUSTANG GT & 2021 ECOBOOST
PHOTO CRED: PAUL BELLIS
We are a REAL Mustang magazine that is still in existence and YES we do offer PRINTED copies of each issue but not in the traditional subscription format. Our fans order only the printed copies that they want. Not only that, but we also offer article plaques, dash plaques, trading cards, posters, clothing, vinyls, and more swag that has never been offered before by any publication in history.
We are a REAL Mustang magazine and we have published over 400 issues in less than 10 years, have over one and a half million consistent readers, have been read in almost every country on the globe by an average of 72.7k social media content reaches per month, and have become an approved 501c3 non-profit charity giving back to the military and first responders. We do all of this and have accomplished all of this in our free time simply because it is our passion. Another part of the business plan - PAY FOR NOTHING, OFFER EVERYTHING, AND GIVE BACK TO SOMEONE.
Pretty sure none of your “real” Mustang magazines have ever accomplished any of that. And that is just in our first 10 years. Let’s not get me started on where I will take STANG Magazine in the next 10 years.
Before I digress, let’s close out this beginning chapter with my last thought and review of the final step in how we choose the Mustangs that go in our STANG Magazine pages. When I was told that “the Mustangs in your pages are not good enough.” Here was my simple response: EVERY Mustang is good enough for the pages of STANG Magazine and are
not judged by looks, but because EVERY Mustang has a person who owns it with a story to tell. Mustangs have brought together people from all walks of life and you never know how important they are to the owner until you talk to them. STANG Magazine offers that chance to tell your story and we ALWAYS will. Period.
STANG Magazine was a radical idea from the start because it takes radical ideas to evolve and survive. The Mustang history and legacy has been challenged because our old foundations have been disrupted with the loss of traditional printed Mustang magazines. That does not mean were are at a loss. What that means is that we just had to try new things to build a stronger foundation. STANG Magazine was created to keep our Mustang passion growing and alive and to utilize new ways to keep it growing and living. We survived our first 10 years and we survived doing it OUR way. That says it all right there. We took a risk, tried new things, and focused on our vision. That is how STANG Magazine started.
RUSSELL JENNETTE
CANDY –2008 MUSTANG GT/CS
PHOTO CRED:
NOAH CONNER
THE DIRECTION AND THE MISSION OF STANG MAGAZINE HAS REMAINED THE SAME SINCE DAY ONE.
THE DIRECTION AND THE MISSION...
So what is the direction of STANG Magazine? The direction and the mission of STANG Magazine has remained the same since day one. It is emphasized in our mission statement which reads:
“Mustang enthusiasts have asked for a magazine that has no ads, no sales pitches, and no bogus “fillers” to eat up space. They have asked for a magazine that is free, easy to access, and nothing but focused on Mustang pictures and content. They have asked for a magazine produced and written by Mustang owners. They have asked for a magazine that highlights the daily drivers and the average Mustang that is driven and is not a trailer queen. They have asked for the chance to one day have their ride, their group, their club, or their cause to be recognized in print or online. It is our absolute pleasure to meet these standards and to give you STANG Magazine. We hope that both our message and our image will be seen in every Mustang community out there. Thank you Mustang fans and enjoy your ride!”
My ultimate direction, mission, and goal for STANG Magazine when I created it was to simply HAVE FUN. I wanted to produce something that the world would enjoy and be a part of.
Owning a Mustang is awesome, hands down, but the world needed a platform where we all could share our rides, our ad-
ventures, our pictures, and our stories of our beloved muscle machines. Other than your local clubs, enthusiast groups, or social media Mustang pages, there really was nothing that created a centralized GLOBAL platform that united all Mustang owners near and far and one that gave them a chance to equally be a part of something without strings attached.
Well, STANG Magazine was developed to be that platform and something that would unite Mustang enthusiasts from every country, every club, every group, every social media page, and every walk of life on this planet. My goal was to share the Mustang passion that we all had in our hearts, to share family stories of Mustang legacy, and to be the positive wave of change that was needed in the auto industry. Everything around is focused on making money and competition. I needed to change that and I am using STANG Magazine to make that change.
ROBERT M. KENNEDY
EMESS –1977 MUSTANG II
PHOTO CRED: ROBERT M. KENNEDY
Take for example car shows. They are seemingly inviting for a good cause and usually have charitable benefits, but in the end it is all competition and becomes drama. They come and go based on attendance.
Take for example car club and groups. They are also seemingly inviting for like-minded Mustang enthusiasts and also have charitable benefits, but in the end, they too become competitive and full of drama. They come and go based on members. What other Mustang related entities exist to simply promote Mustang passion? Aftermarket companies? Nope. Their goal is to sell products and make money. Social media pages? Nope. They turn into groups of people internet trolling and bashing on each other’s rides. And finally the “big boy” companies like Ford, Roush, Saleen, RTR, and others? Hate to say it but Nope. Their ultimate goal is yes, to make money. Spreading Mustang passion, ensuring the Mustang legacy, and keeping the Mustang history alive is all secondary after sales. Hate to be that uncut and honest but it is the truth. If the money doesn’t come flowing in, they don’t exist.
“AS THE 21ST CENTURY HAS UNFORTUNATELY YIELDED AN ERA IN WHICH “PRINT ID DEAD,” STANG MAGAZINE HAS GIVEN NEW LIFE TO AN AGE-OLD CONCEPT.”
Now let me be clear, I am not bashing on car shows, car clubs, car groups, aftermarket companies, the “big boy” entities, and the former Mustang printed magazines. What I am saying is this: each and every one of them is not designed as a long term platform to continuously promote and ensure Mustang passion, legacy, and history. They will come and go based on sales, attendees, members, social influences, and ultimately, all of them have something to lose.
Here is where STANG Magazine is unique and will be the everlasting platform for Mustang enthusiasts. For one, it is GLOBAL. Two, it is FREE. Three, STANG Magazine’s success is not based on sales, attendees, members, or social business influences.
STANG Magazine was specifically designed to have no limitations. STANG Magazine was not designed as an “entity,” it was designed around an “IDEA.” An idea so radical that nobody was willing to try it and it has now become a seed of change planted in the Mustang world that will forever grow.
THOMAS MAACK
KONA BLUE –2012 SHELBY GT500
PHOTO CRED: PAMELA L. MAACK
As long as there are people that love Mustangs, the seed of STANG Magazine will forever grow.
In fact, STANG Magazine has expanded in the past ten years to simply become known as “STANG,” a 501c3 non-profit entity that now has various projects and platforms under its umbrella including Locked & Loaded Magazine, Twisted Bombshell, STANG Paranormal, SubiVibes Magazine, and an unlimited room for more projects and entities. What we do, where we go, and who we will influence is unlimited.
There are only three scenarios that I can think of that would stop our growth. So let’s play devil’s advocate... Here is the first scenario. So what happens if the internet shuts down? Simple - we stick to our “grass roots” approach and keep our Mustang history and heritage alive like we did before the internet. We survive by word of mouth and through the people. If that were to happen, then maybe “the real printed” magazines would re-emerge once again and all the naysayers would be happy. We would still print copies as we do now and on an “as requested” basis.
Second scenario... What happens if something happens to me since I run this whole thing? Simple - someone else within our family will keep it going. Anyone with Mustang passion would do the same, near or far. There are hundreds of people who would jump in my seat. It doesn’t matter who runs it or who produces it, because once again, STANG Magazine was based around an “IDEA”. The format, layout, and delivery of
what we do will never remain constant and has to change with time. The idea, however will ALWAYS remain constant and you can’t kill an idea. That idea is fueled by passion. Try taking that away from us. That will never happen.
Third scenario and final scenario... What if Ford stops producing the Mustang? That answer is really simple - the Mustang becomes an even bigger historic icon. Having the Mustang disappear wouldn’t cause us to disappear. In fact, it would just solidify the need for STANG Magazine to be one of the entities preserving Mustang passion and legacy. You can’t erase the Mustang from American history.
So with all that being said, what is the direction and the mission of STANG Magazine? The direction is to HAVE FUN (no matter where it goes) and the mission is to ENJOY THE RIDE (no matter what happens).
MIKE BLOM
MOSAUCE –2016 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: MEDIOCRE STUDIOS
WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MORE THAN WE EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. ACCOMPLISHMENTS...
So what has STANG Magazine accomplished so far in its first ten years? Well that is a tough question to answer because there is a lot of ways to look at it. There is the obvious answer going into statistics and numbers, but then there is a whole area of success that you wouldn’t even know about unless you sat and talked with one of us about the true soul of STANG Magazine and how it has touched the lives of so many people. Well, let’s get into it and I’ll do my best to paint the picture how we have accomplished more than we ever thought possible.
Let’s start with the obvious answer going into statistics and numbers. Since launching STANG Magazine in 2014, over 415 issues have been published. That is more than any magazine in history in that short amount of time as far as I know. We started producing one issue a month, which led to two issues a month, which now STANG Magazine is releasing at least four issues per WEEK. We have produced monthly issues, Editor’s Choice issues, Special Edition issues focusing on Mustang clubs and groups, issues specific to different years and models of Mustangs, issues for First Responders and Law Enforcement, issues for the Military, issues dedicated to tribute Mustangs, creative Mustangs, etc... Anything you can possibly think of, we have already dedicated an issue to it. It keeps our fans engaged and allows all of us to be creative. It allows
everyone to tell their story about their specific Mustang, family history, or how the Mustang culture has impacted their lives. Again, we avoid at all costs what traditional magazines used to focus on - the trailer queens.
Not only have we published an ungodly amount of issues in such a short amount of time, using our online platform alone we have acquired over 1.5 MILLION impressions. That is how many times anyone has ever clicked on a STANG Magazine link. We have acquired over 85,000 consistent global readers monthly and our top countries reading our content include the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Philipines, Mexico, Germany, and about a dozen countries in the mix that I have never even heard of before. Fun fact, we even have readers in Iceland. Yes, Iceland! Being on a global platform, we have the ability to view a map in real time where our readers are tuning in and what countries
BRIAN BOYER
R3D RCKR –2016 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: BRIAN BOYER
have read STANG Magazine. I have made it a goal to cover the entire globe with at least one reader from each country on the planet. We only have about a dozen countries left to reach and I’m sure some of them are pretty isolated and are definitely not internet focused.
Now, keep in mind that those numbers are based on our publication platform alone. This does not count our social media influence on Facebook and Instagram or on our STANG website or soon to be launched STANG Mag Chat forum. Social media recently started recording statistics and from what I can gather, we have 36,900 Facebook readers weekly, about 4,000 Instagram users engaged weekly, and a lot more numbers that I won’t bore you with. Here is the bottom line, we have developed a HUGE foundation of consistent and solid fans and this has all been accomplished the old school way without any paid advertising. EVERYTHING we have accomplished has been by WORD OF MOUTH. I have never paid a single penny in any advertising, promotion, or methods to get the STANG Magazine name or image out to the world. It has all occurred on its own by and through our fans.
If you look at the number of issues we have published and the number of people we have reached on the planet through our online and social media platforms, you can only imagine the impact it has had to positively promote the Mustang culture and community in every corner of the globe. It is unreal to think about how many people I interact with daily that just want to say thank you for what STANG Magazine does and who whole heartedly agree with the concept behind it.
Beyond numbers and our social media influence, lies the true impact of STANG Magazine. WE HAVE CHANGED LIVES. It is a whole hell of a lot more than simply showcasing Mustangs. We have done so many things for so many people without even realizing we were doing it. Let’s break this down with a few examples.
STANG Magazine has given the people a voice and an outlet for personal creativity, expression, and sharing their history. We have promoted from day one that Mustang owners freely share their own story, submit their own photos, and take pride in telling their family history without fear of being ignored, made fun of, or implying that they or their Mustang are “not good enough.” We have encouraged their passions and increased the confidence in our fan base to fully engage in their Mustang interests. The feedback we receive is that they are loving to write their story, loving to once again take their Mustangs out for photo shoots, loving being able to share their creativity, and loving to try new things including starting their own Mustang groups/clubs, photography businesses,
JJ SLON
BARRICADE –2005 SALEEN
PHOTO CRED: DANIEL RAMEY
modeling ventures, detailing shops, etc... For us, telling the world about our fans and their Mustangs is a life-long journey and adventure. We don’t just offer our fans an ability to be showcased ONCE in our publications. We allow them an UNLIMITED ability to continue to share their adventures, growth, and progression of Mustang life. We have become the time keepers of their Mustang adventures and have become a historical Mustang database to forever keep their family legacy alive. We love following along with those who started with us in 2014 and watch how their Mustang passion, builds, and adventures have evolved over the past decade.
STANG Magazine has given the people an ability to always keep the memory of their cherished Mustang, and even more, the memory of their lost loved ones alive. We can’t even begin to tell you how many people reach out to us and want to share the story of a lost loved one and share their Mustang or a tribute Mustang built in their honor. After all, the foundation of Mustang culture is tradition, family history, and legacy. Most of us were influenced by a loved one to get into the Mustang world. Most of our greatest memories with loved ones were riding with them or wrenching on engines. That is just how it is with gear heads and we all are gear heads to
“STANG MAGAZINE CREATED A HUGE MUSTANG FAMILY, ALLOWING US TO COME TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE YOU NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.”
the core. We love to build, drive, and make noise, especially with Mustangs.
On so many occasions, I have been approached by our fans thanking me for showcasing a lost loved one’s Mustang or telling their story. On one such occasion, I ran into one of our fans at a car show who thanked me in person and started us down an emotional roller coaster reflecting on how his son’s story was finally told, how we honored him in such an amazing way, and the level of support received by our other fans and STANG Mag family to help him through his grief. In my heart I knew this meeting was planned by God because on that particular day, there were some of the first printed copies that STANG Magazine ever made in the trunk of my Mustang and guess which ones they were? They were copies of the issue that his son’s Mustang was on the cover. I literally ran back to my car, got every copy of I had in the trunk, and gave that man his son’s printed STANG Magazine issue on the spot. The whirl of emotions was unreal and to this day, I will never forget that moment. THAT in itself encompasses the soul and
ANDREW WITT
WHITE LIGHTNING –2012 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: LICKS PHOTOGRAPHY
impact of STANG Magazine. THAT in itself is why we do what we do and the impact it can have on people.
All of us have lost loved ones in the Mustang community. All of us have built stronger family relationships through Mustangs. In fact, most of our Mustang friends have become our family and have become stronger relationships than our actual blood families. STANG Magazine was intended to bring EVERYONE closer together and it is working, way more than expected. Fun fact, a few years ago at Carlisle Ford Nationals in Pennsylvania, my buddy Brad approached the event managers with an idea of something to add to their weekend schedule. Due to many of us losing loved ones through Covid and beyond, he wanted to remember their memories by all attendees hopping in their Mustangs and revving their engines for a minute at high noon. He wanted to call it “Rev for the Fallen.” Let’s just say, the tradition is holding strong.
STANG Magazine has influenced and accomplished a HUGE focus on First Responders, Law Enforcement, and Military members. Not only have we dedicated issues to their Mustangs, we have given many law enforcement and military
“I LOVE STANG MAG BECAUSE IT HAS ALLOWED ME TO SHARE MY PASSION AND LOVE FOR MUSTANGS WITH CURRENT AND FUTURE MUSTANG OWNERS AROUND THE WORLD. STANG MAG HAS INSPIRED OTHERS TO SHARE THEIR STORY AS WELL!”
members an outlet to help to manage their mental health. Having worked in the military, the mental health field, and now the law enforcement field, I know first hand the difficulty in keeping active and focused on something positive, rather than being swallowed up by trauma and the negativity that surrounds us in today’s society. Spending time in your Mustang in itself is therapy. We call it “Mustang Therapy” and you all know what I am talking about. There is nothing more relaxing than cruising in your Mustang. Period. Furthermore, I am a living example of using my Mustang passion as a positive outlet to avoid my own demons. Starting the magazine ten years ago and keeping myself active connecting with others through the magazine has saved my life. In more ways than one.
STANG Magazine gave those who are often forgotten about, a renewed ability to be heard, seen, and honored. Everything we have done, especially now that STANG Magazine is a 501c3 nonprofit, has been focused on giving back to First Responders, Law Enforcement, and the Military. Even launch-
DANIEL RAMEY
BMBSHEL –1970 MUSTANG SPORTSROOF
ing Twisted Bombshell and Locked & Loaded Magazine was an accomplishment in itself to further evolve in our efforts to help those who needed it the most. We receive so many stories of loved ones saying that their First Responder, Law Enforcement, or Military friends and family members have been more active and positive just through focusing on their Mustang, taking cruises, submitting stories and photos, and participating in adventures with other Mustang enthusiasts. Before finding their renewed Mustang passion, they were on a downward spiral with no positive outlets to get them out. Again, WE HAVE CHANGED LIVES.
Now this goes beyond First Responders, Military, and Law Enforcement. STANG Magazine has become an outlet to not only “promote family” but has become an outlet that “provides a family.” We connect everyone across the globe with shared passions. Now, let me explain and on a very personal level how STANG Magazine has accomplished this in my life.
In my closest circle of Mustang friends, the ones that have been by my side throughout the years and some since the start of STANG Magazine, we have developed bonds and relationships like no other. We have gone on so many adventures and have shared in so many memories. Fun fact - one of the reasons I developed our infamous “Willy Wonka STANG Adventure” tickets was that I had a way to remember all of our adventures when I get older. Most of us keep them on our wall and read them from time to time just to remember what the hell we did a few years ago. It is more than just a cool looking keepsake we give out at events or to our fans that
want to collect them. It is another time keeper and captures part of the story of our lives.
STANG Magazine has helped me to develop my own family. Most of the members of my inner circle are what we humorously refer to ourselves as “delinquents” or “misfits.” We often call ourselves the “Island of Misfit Toys” and some of you from my generation will get that reference because we truly are. We are the people that never really fit into a particular Mustang club or group, had no friends or family, and really didn’t want to be a part of something like that. We were all solo riders, and honestly don’t play well with others. It takes a certain breed of stallion to roll in our inner circle. With that said, STANG Magazine brought together a group of “impossible people” and turned them into a “possible family.” That for me is an amazing accomplishment and one of the ones that I am most proud of. It is finally nice to have a family.
So how could I sum up STANG Magazine’s accomplishments in the past ten years without getting into the boring statistics... Easy. WE HAVE CHANGED LIVES.
HANNAH MUSTANG
CHERRY BOMB –2016 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED:
HANNAH MUSTANG
STANG MAGAZINE IS MADE UP OF MUSTANG ENTHUSIASTS JUST LIKE YOU...
WHO WE ARE...
I get this question a lot. Who or what exactly is STANG Magazine or who exactly are you? The answer to that question is simple. STANG Magazine is YOU. I am YOU. WE are YOU. STANG Magazine is made up of Mustang enthusiasts just like YOU that do exactly what YOU do. We all work real jobs, we all have families and daily tasks, and we all are just the average common person, living and breathing just like you. We are not famous, we are not Mustang celebrities, we are not paid employees or social media hot shots or content makers. We are just the average Mustang owners that wanted to start something special for other people like us. Let me walk you through who we really are and through a day in the life of a STANG Magazine “family” member.
Within our “Island of Misfit Toys”, we have people who walk all kinds of lives. Regarding careers, we have people who are nurses, mechanics, therapists, carpenters, truck drivers, laborers, electricians, office managers, military, law enforcement, unemployed, and even NASA rocket scientists. Our core group of STANG family members are a sample of the general Mustang enthusiast population. Some of us were born and raised in the United States and some of us are from other countries around the world. Some have been local all of their lives and some have traveled the world. Some of us have kids and other major responsibilities and some of us don’t.
We all have real life problems that occur daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. We all struggle with real life problems just like anyone else including divorce, loss of loved ones, death of family members, loss of pets, our Mustangs breaking down, being financially strapped, mental health, etc...
We literally are YOU and from day one we wanted to practice being completely transparent to our fans. We absolutely did not want to filter anything, especially on social media, to try and become a “famous” entity. We always wanted to be “raw” and the type of people that you could approach and always relate to. The average Joe so to speak.
Personally, I am nobody special as it relates in comparison to Mustang celebrities and the juggernauts of the pony world. I am no Chip Foose, Carroll Shelby, Vaughn Gitten Jr., Jack Roush, or Steve Saleen. I didn’t create a prototype of the
JEFFREY HUTSON
SILVER BULLET –2014 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED:
HANNAH MUSTANG
JEFFREY HUTSON
Mustang, write books about the history of Mustangs, professionally drive Mustangs, or ever end up on a television show, although that would be really cool to do a reality show so people really see what our lives are like and how they could full heartedly relate. Wink. Wink. Come on Travel Channel where you at? Hit us up!
I am an average Mustang owner and passionate about the car world. I love all vehicles and own various vehicles. I have many different hobbies and interests. As far as a career, I am a State Parole Agent and work in law enforcement with a case load of severely mentally ill individuals. Prior to law enforcement, I worked in the military as a federal contractor providing mental health services to soldiers. I am a Clinical Psychologist, yes a doctor, and have worked in the mental health field all of my life. I grew up poor, educated myself, worked hard for everything I ever did or accomplished, and just like you, have struggled with life stressors - death, divorce, homelessness, raising kids, financial burdens, etc...
STANG Magazine is not my primary “job” or any kind of “job” for any of us. It is something we do together in our free time when we are not working or “adulting.” For me, STANG Magazine takes up a lot of my free time because I have a lot I want to accomplish in a given day. Mainly, my daily goal is to change lives. This is where I have to remind everyone out there reading this that ALWAYS keep your passions FULL of
PASSION. Once your hobby, interest, or passion becomes stressful, demanding, overwhelming, or like a “business”, it is no longer a passion or fun. From day one, and even now ten years later, STANG Magazine has always been FUN and I make it a point to keep it that way for all of us.
So what is an average day in our lives or my life? Here is the real deal walk through. I wake up at the butt crack of dawn. I have always been like that and I hit the ground running. I check my emails, phone messages, and grab two cups of coffee. I hop on the computer and start doing articles, publishing issues, responding to emails, submitting swag orders, and constantly networking with other Mustang enthusiasts around the world. I head off to my real job and unplug from the Mustang world until later in the afternoon. I then unplug from the real world, which sucks by the way especially in my field dealing with the demons of society, and then plug back
CURTIS DINGLE
NADINE –2018 SALEEN
PHOTO CRED:
NADINE T. DINGLE
into my passions. I get home, start working on more STANG stuff or pursue my other outlets - shooting, archery, video games, hanging out with friends, taking the Mustangs out for photo shoots, taking the sportbike out for a cruise, planning our next STANG adventures, playing with my two dogs, spending time with the Mrs., texting my daughter to see how she is doing and getting ready for college, zoning out with random chores, or who knows what else. On any given day, the routine is pretty much the same, other than adding in the constant deliveries and going to and from the post office to get everyone their STANG swag orders out.
Like I said in a previous section of the book, STANG Magazine is not a business in some building or a team of skilled professionals working around the clock to provide you with the content. It is literally me on a laptop, working at my kitchen table, and doing it all whenever I can in my free time. Creating content, social media posting/responding, emailing, texting, shipping and receiving, publishing, editing, republishing, events, adventures, charity aspects... it is all done by yours truly with a little help from my friends when I actually let someone help me. One of the weaknesses that I found in
“MY
EXPERIENCE WITH STANG MAGAZINE HAS BEEN AWESOME BECAUSE THEY SHOWCASE CLASSIC TO NEW GEN MUSTANGS. IT IS COOL TO SEE OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS WHO SHARE THE SAME EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM.”
my character throughout my life was that I never ask for help and I will do everything on my own or find a way to do it on my own. Some say it is a weakness so that’s why I called it that, but honestly I look at it as my greatest strength. I never would have made it this far in life if I didn’t do things myself.
So that is a typical day in my life. Pretty average right? Just like you, we work and play, and work even more. So throw in there some of our planned adventures or random ones and they usually start out by one of us calling each other, cruising to a location, getting dinner and liquid refreshments, and either talking about the past, future, or living in the current moment. Not everything we do together is Mustang related as we all love to do different things but I will save the exploration of some of our adventures for the end of this book.
For now, just remember this and take this to heart. WE are YOU, I am YOU, and STANG Magazine is YOU. That is how it started, continues to operate, and will ALWAYS be.
JASON PEARMAN
OL’ BOY BLUE –2024 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED:
JASON PEARMAN
FEW TIMES IN LIFE DO WE FIND OURSELVES LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN A POSITION TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL.
PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL...
My name is TJ Perry and I am one of the STANG “family” members. I wanted to contribute to this publication and really give you a first-hand perspective on how STANG Magazine has changed my life since day one, all because I took a chance to become part of something special. Few times in life do we find ourselves lucky enough to be in a position to be a part of something special. I have been in the car scene off and on but one thing remained constant, my love for V8s and that badass sound they produce, whether in my early 20s cruising around town and racing on the backroads to my early 30s just wandering around.
My story starts when I bought my second Mustang in 2017. I had been out of the car scene for a while and joined a local Facebook group called Beltway Mustangs. This group was ran by Christian Freeman who also had a Grabber Blue Mus tang. One day he invited me out to one of their cars and cof
“I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE STILL HAVE A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO MUSTANG OWNERS. I ENJOY BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO MAKE THEIR CARS THEIR OWN AND SHOWING OFF THEIR PERSONALITY.”
fee events. Upon arriving at the event, I was surprised that in the full parking lot, he had saved me a parking space to park in an area with his Mustang and a few other Grabber Blue Mustangs. This was the kind of guy Christian was. I remember the first time meeting him. He was one of those people who just made you feel like you have been friends with him for years even though we literally just met. At every event, he always remembered me and always said hi. He was truly the heart of Beltway.
It was through Christian and his Beltway Facebook Group that I was introduced to STANG Magazine. I had never heard of them but one day Beltway had posted on Facebook an event
KIM ECKARD
SILVYA –2013 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED:
KIM ECKARD
I thought hell yeah, a long cruise and a tour of a brewery. I had never toured a brewery before, so it definitely got my attention.
The meet up point was at the Capital City Mall in PA. A good group of people formed there at the meet up spot, but we were all new and waiting to see what was next. Then we heard it... a loud Mustang from yonder. As it got close, it was the STANG Mag Mustang and enters Dan Ramey! I thought who the hell is this guy? Literally, a decked out show car with vinyls all over the place, and here we are looking like clowns with our stock cars. He pulled up and simply said, “Yuengling tour? Let’s go!” Driving down to the brewery was cool and marked one of the many future STANG Magazine stampedes. After the event, the group decided to grab a bite and I had not eaten all day so I thought why not. I am usually a come and go home type of person who doesn’t stick around too much. Well, I am glad I stuck around! It was this lunch that I met Dan and the rest is history. We became immediate friends, spreading our tomfoolery all over the land.
Since then, it has been a journey with STANG Magazine to say the least. I have been on so many STANG adventures all over Maryland, West Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania. It has even taken me out to Las Vegas for SEMA. From our earliest adventures of cave exploring, abandoned sites, ghost hunts, to SEMA and tearing up Las Vegas, you never know what the STANG life has in plan for you. Some of my best memories are of those times of just hanging around and living in the moment. We are not car show people but adventurers, not
afraid of going into the unknown. A lot of time we find a small random town on the journey and stop for food and drinks. Let me tell you, this is where the magic is. Meeting the locals of America and trying new things. Humans are creatures of habit, we like doing the same things. Sometimes breaking out of the norm and walking into the unknown is just the right kick in the butt we need to completely change our trajectory in life.
My favorite events are the ghost hunts. I have always loved exploring ruins and so does most of our inner group. We are explorers of the night. So combining our Mustangs with ghost hunts is the obviously next direction. Getting to share my passions with the group has been amazing. From Pennhurst Asylum, the Jim Thorpe Jail, Eastern State Penitentiary, Cresson Sanatorium, and the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania, to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia, to Fort Delaware in Delaware, and all the way to Zak Bagan’s infamous Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, we have been everywhere and have seen some amazing things. I love the look of decaying buildings and think about what it was like
TANNER LIND
THE STANG –1984 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: TANNER LIND
during their hay day. I am so fascinated by history and going to these places. It is like walking back in time.
Through these ghost hunting adventures, Dan has allowed me to follow my passion. Together, we have even launched STANG Paranormal to share our experiences and to invite others to explore the unknown like we love to.
With our group, I have met a lot of great people and made some great friends. It is nice to share your life journey with others. After all, isn’t that what life is about? To share our life experiences with each other and bring each other up to a higher level. There is nothing better than meeting your closest friends and just hitting the road for the next journey.
The quality of life is often measured by the quality of people you keep in your inner circle. I always value those true friendships, where no matter what, you know they are there for you, which is often hard to find in this day and age. Surround yourself with people who make you a better person. Life is short and a journey. Every journey has its hardships but that is what defines and shapes you.
One of the defining moments of my journey with STANG Magazine, is being able to write the Talking with TJ columns published in every monthly issue. It is such a privilege to be able to share my journey with the countless STANG Magazine fans. I hope with these articles that it will inspire others to take action and go outside the norms of the car scene. Take chances and meet new people. This world is so negative at times and it doesn’t take much to simply be nice to a stranger
or someone in need. Be the impact on their life that changes their life for the good or someone else you meet on your journey. You could have the impact to change the trajectory of their life into something positive. Sometimes it could be a nice compliment or a friendly conversation that was exactly what that person needed in that moment in their life to create an impact.
That is really what STANG Magazine is all about. Giving the little man the spotlight instead of the who’s who of the car scene. Let the person in the small town who lives and breathes their Mustang have a chance to be in the spotlight and show the world their love and passion. We are all STANG Mag and together we are all a family, no matter where you rest your head.
So if we are ever in your area or you happen to be in ours, reach out and join us on a cruise. We will see you on the next adventure. As we always say, “Enjoy the Ride and Who You Ride With!“
DARCY ARCHER
CHERRY –2020 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: DARCY ARCHER
REGARDLESS OF HOW YOUR MUSTANG PASSION STARTED, THE ENDING IS CLEAR... THE PASSION NEVER GOES AWAY.
THE PASSION...
So often are we asked about our Mustangs and why we are so fascinated by them. How do you even begin to explain the passion that Mustang owners have? I think everyone has a slightly different story to tell about how they got involved with Mustangs whether it was through friends or family or some unique experience they had. Regardless of how your Mustang passion started, the ending is clear... the passion never goes away.
For Americans, the Ford Mustang is a symbol of our history, heritage, and lineage. We are wild, untamed, and love to adventure across the wide open land. Just like an American cowboy trying to tame a wild Mustang, we are rough and raw and we take on the challenge, merging with that wild animal spirit and creating an unforgettable bond that will last a lifetime. The running Mustang logo and the Ford Mustang is an icon for us and a consistent reminder of our past and our free
“STANG MAGAZINE IS A HIGHLY RENOWNED AND ESTEEMED PUBLICATION WITHIN THE FORD MUSTANG INDUSTRY.”
spirit. Now take that awesome history and visual and throw in an engineering marvel, loud ass exhaust, and a remarkable muscle machine loaded with unlimited power behind your finger tips and under your gas pedal. The second you start that engine, your entire body and soul become more alive than you have ever felt before in your entire life. Once you experience that, you will never want to give it up.
Mustang passion is more than just auto passion. Some people love “cars” because of their looks, their speed, their sound, their comfort, their unique qualities, and for dozens of other reasons. However, people love MUSTANGS because they are unique by design, unique by their history, and unique by the way they continue to bring random people together through their attraction. They are LEGENDARY.
BRIAN RENNER
HAVOC II –2020 MUSTANG GT/CS
PHOTO CRED: BRIAN RENNER
Let’s talk about how Mustangs are unique by design and how that influences our passion. There are very few cars on the planet that can be identified right off the bat by their looks or their sound. Everyone knows the infamous pony emblem and everyone knows that American V8 rumble. The Mustang is already designed to turn heads but one of the best things about owning a Mustang is your ability to make it an extension of yourself. Not only is it already iconic, but you can make it even more unforgettable by your personal touch. You can design it, upgrade it, and modify it according to your heart’s desire. It was designed to be driven, tested, and played with and not to sit in the garage. Mustangs afford us the ability to express ourselves. While publishing thousands of articles in STANG Magazine throughout the past ten years, I have seen amazing Mustangs time and time again. Almost every single owner I have ever talked to says the same thing - they love to be creative and remembered. I guess part of our passion as STANG Magazine is to make sure that their creativity is noticed and that their Mustang and their story are remembered. We love helping to accomplish that.
“STANG MAGAZINE HAS BROUGHT MANY MUSTANG IDEAS TO ME FROM THE GREAT MUSTANGS IT HAS IN IT BUT BEST OF ALL, IT HAS BROUGHT ME ANOTHER FAMILY THAT MEANS MORE THAN ANYTHING.”
Now, let’s talk about how Mustangs are unique by their history and how that influences our passion. The Ford Mustang was born from the ashes of our military past and the epic boom of the great American muscle car era.
Regardless of the legendary origin of the Mustang design, who influenced it, who developed it, or how the name came about, the Mustang was not a car designed by some people wanting to make money. The Mustang was designed by individuals who had a shared passion in automobiles, racing, engineering, and performance. They wanted to create something fun and unforgettable for the American people and boy did they ever accomplish their goal! Their passion gave birth to the Ford Mustang and in return, our passion keeps their history alive.
The Mustang entity as a whole has quite the unique history, but our personal Mustangs also have their own added history. Each of our cherished pony cars have seen and been to many unforgettable places, have helped us to create unforgettable
RUSSELL HENSLEY
COWBOYSTANG –2007 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED:
CHRISTA HENSLEY
memories, and have sparked the fires of eternal friendships and bonds between people near and far that we would have never even met if it wasn’t for the same shared Mustang love. Each Mustang tells a story and is a living time capsule. Owning a Mustang is not just owning another car. It is owning a piece of history and also gifting you the ability to become a living piece of that history.
For STANG Magazine, our goal is to continue to keep building Mustang history and to ensure that the passion lives on. If your Mustang tells a story and is a living time capsule, we want to keep and share your Mustang’s history, and your own history for that matter, and ensure they will last for generations to come.
Since we just hit on that topic, let’s talk about how Mustangs are unique by how they bring random people together and how that influences our passion. Imagine this scenario. Fill a room full of people from all over the planet. Everyone is different in every way. Some male, some female, some old, some young, some educated, some not so educated, some with money, some poor, but all are from different countries and speak different languages.
Now, take all of those people and show them a photo of a Ford Mustang and let’s see what would happen. Better yet, take them outside and have someone drive up in a Mustang that is glistening in the sun and rumbling like thunder. What do you think would happen?
In either scenario, you would get immediate reactions from the majority of the group by either smiling or starting to talk about the Mustang. With the help of a translator, you would probably, in less than ten minutes, get people from all different walks of life becoming friendly over “just a car.”
That is the power of the Ford Mustang. It can immediately break down barriers, create conversations, and build connections. Period. The Mustang passion might be alive and thriving in your area of the planet, but it is also alive and thriving all over the planet. Mustang culture is changing, growing, and evolving all over the globe and that in itself ensures that the Mustang passion will live on beyond our days, our generation, and our lifetime. It will never go away and STANG Magazine will continue to build that global network to connect our shared Mustang love.
D , ANNE GOLDSTEIN
GAWBLIN –2019 MUSTANG
PHOTO CRED:
DM GOLDSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE CRUISING IN A HERD AND WATCHING ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET WAVE... THE ADVENTURES...
The best part of owning a Mustang is going on the adventures! There is nothing like cruising in a herd and watching all the people on the street wave and smile and go giddy with excitement as you roar by. It is probably one of the best moments of any Mustang owner, enthusiast, and driver.
STANG Magazine is known for our level of adventures. If there is one thing that we know how to do, it is definitely how to have a good time! Every year, we make a list of things we want to do and places we want to visit. They usually become our famous STANG Magazine “Willy Wonka Ticket” Adventures and we make a collector ticket to commemorate the experience and to remind us of what we did when we get older. That is not all though. Life continues to throw adventures at us left and right and all the time.
We also do dozens of random adventures that just happen in the moment (which is usually where we always have the best time). These random adventures always end up with us finding some place new, off the beaten path, and quite memorable. It is funny how the best things happen when you least expect it.
“STANG MAGAZINE HAS GIVEN ME A UNIQUE SENSE OF PRIDE IN MY OWN MUSTANG
BY FEATURING HER AND IT HAS ALSO IGNITED A PASSION FOR OTHER CAR ENTHUSIASTS WITH IDEAS FOR MORE
MODIFICATIONS!”
I have been keeping a master list of all of our STANG Magazine Willy Wonka Adventures and a master list of all of our random adventures as best as I can recall and have made them a part of this publication. It serves two purposes really. One, it shows you how much we actually do with our Mustangs and our STANG Magazine family and two, it is just another written record and reminder that all of us can resort to when we start forgetting if we took our fiber pills in the morning and waiting for that damn nurse to feed us our applesauce and to change our diaper. And YES, I will confirm that is exactly why I married my wife who is a nurse and I am not ashamed at all for plan-
RICK & TAMMY LAMBERT
THE BEAST –2007 SHELBY GT500
PHOTO CRED:
KHALID ALMOHANNADI
TAMMY LAMBERT
ning that far in advance. She is also very beautiful and sweet so I will throw that in there as well.
In the past ten years, it would be very difficulty to explain how awesome our experiences have been in detail so I will pick just a few key adventures and moments in our travels that really stand out to me. The first one that I have to mention is one that everybody and their mother remembers, knows about, or who has heard of at some point on the east coast. This adventure was called STANG Magazine MAYHEM at the Dover International Speedway, aka the “Monster Mile.”
So the plan was to see how many Mustangs we could get to fit on the track at one time and go for some type of world record or maybe even a local track record. To make a long story short, we had over 200 Mustangs on the track at one time (absolutely INSANE), were so loud driving down through Delaware and on the track that people were calling around asking what all the noise was, and the “MAYHEM” portion of it was really just a cool name that turned into actual MAYHEM because we had Mustangs wrecking on the track, doing donuts on the track, doing burnouts in the parking lot by the famous Monster statue, and enough smoke around the property that some people thought there were things on fire! Even to this day, I continue to hear about this event and more or less we were banned from Dover for quite a few years. Just goes to show that no matter how well you plan something, it
can go south real quick! I guess it really lived up to its name though and I guess we made LEGENDARY status on that day!
Not long after the Dover Mayhem debacle, we had another very memorable event where we attended the American Muscle Show and hosted a VIP party at the Holiday Inn, which was attached to the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA. We were regulars at the American Muscle Show for years and saw the same Mustang clubs getting the Best Participation award. Well, a lot of us got tired of that so we joined forces to overthrow the repeat winners. Over a dozen Mustang clubs and groups organized and joined under STANG Magazine to take the award that year.
Getting the award that year was not the memorable part though. The memorable part of that event was that two of my good friends Dawn and Ingo Rutenberg were in town, driving all the way down from Canada. I noticed that they brought
THOMAS & SUELLEN HOBEL
FANG –2021 SHELBY GT500
PHOTO CRED: GEORDAN HOAGLAND
their two young sons with them and I had an awesome idea. Instead of the entire group of the Mustang clubs that banded together to win the award going up on stage to accept the award, I would send up Ingo and Dawn’s boys instead. Yes, on their own and alone. I even wanted them to keep the award and to create a memory that would last a lifetime. After all, isn’t that what Mustang passion is all about - building legacies, memories, and history.
Well, let’s just say the plan worked! With Ingo and Dawn’s permission, we were able to encourage the two young lads to walk up on stage in front of those thousands of cheering Mustang fans and accept their piston trophy. To this day, those boys talk about that event and that trophy still sits proudly on the family’s mantle in their lovely home in Canada.
After the event was also a pretty memorable time, or at least what other people tell us. You see, the Holiday Inn that hosted our VIP party accidentally got a bad batch of liquor to pour in our honorary drinks that they ironically named “STANG STINGERS.” It wasn’t that the liquor was bad, it was that the alcohol proof was double the normal value and we were do-
“WE
SHOW OFF THE STANG MAGAZINE PLAQUES AND PEOPLE JUST LOVE THEM! WE HAND OUT OUR STANG TRADING CARDS TO KIDS AND THEY GO WILD FOR THEM! STANG MAGAZINE IS A GREAT WAY TO SHARE OUR MUSTANG PASSION!”
ing our normal thing and drinking our liquid refreshments like fish not knowing any better. We didn’t know how the majority of us had a “little too much fun” that night until we saw in the news a recall of the liquor that was being served to us and why it was recalled. Well, it took a few days for us to piece together the ending to that night. FYI - I still have the recipe for the “STANG STINGER.”
In the past ten years, we have had dozens of experiences like this and like I said, it would take an entire book itself to tell the tales. The events that have meant the most to us throughout these years, however, have to be the Battleship New Jersey events that we host, the Yuengling Brewery tours, and our annual mecca to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the SEMA Show.
The Battleship New Jersey was one of the first events we ever hosted and we host annually. As far as I know, we were one of the first car groups to use the pier leading up to the ship and turning it into an extra attraction for visitors. Every year we
RYAN WILLIAMS
FROSTY NANNER –2003 SVT COBRA
PHOTO CRED: RYAN WILLIAMS
either do a day event, or as of late started doing an overnight adventure, and utilize all the funds to keep the historic Battleship New Jersey open and operating. We take our annual group photo in front of the massive turrets and it is cool to see from year to year how many people we can squeeze into the group photo.
As far as the Yuengling Brewery, all I can say is we call this place STANG Magazine’s second home. We love doing events there. We have been there a million times and even have a group photo plaque of us hanging in their parlor! Not only am I the biggest Yuengling beer fan on the planet but I have spent quite a few hours with the owner Dick Yuengling himself talking about his father who was a bomber pilot in World War II. We love sitting around talking about history and he is the coolest dude you will ever meet that will randomly pop in and sign autographs on any Yuengling merch you happen to be holding in your hand. The plaque hanging in their parlor is a group photo of the STANG Magazine family all dressed up as Peaky Blinders after we did a Peaky Blinder themed brewery tour. That day was absolutely EPIC and to be a part of the Yuengling Brewery’s history itself is even more EPIC!
“BEING SELECTED FOR STANG MAGAZINE HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE HONOR! FROM THE PLAQUES TO THE MAGAZINES, IT HAS CREATED A NICE CONVERSATION STARTER AT SHOWS AND IS PROUDLY DISPLAYED IN MY HOUSE!”
And regarding SEMA... that is every auto enthusiasts ultimate dream! I always wanted to go and the perks of starting your own publication is media access. I started going years ago and as we got bigger, added more publications under our umbrella, and needed more coverage, I was finally capable of taking most of my STANG Magazine family with me. FYI - what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas so you won’t get a peep out of me. All I can say is DAMN. Those have been the best adventures of our lives with many more to come!
The Battleship New Jersey, the Yuengling Brewery, and SEMA mean the world to our STANG Magazine family and we have shared a lot of sweat, blood, and tears at these events and locations. In honor of their significance to us, we have included them in this publication and left you with some visuals. Our adventures have been absolutely amazing and we hope they will inspire all of our fans to get out there and do the same. Go out, adventure, and make memories!
WILLIAM OWENS
CODE RED –2020
PHOTO CRED: LAURA OWENS
THE MUSTANG WILL FOREVER BE A PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND NOW THE GROWING GLOBAL HISTORY.
THE FUTURE...
Nobody knows what the future has in store for the great American muscle car known as the Mustang. It doesn’t seem like the electric cars are gaining too much ground at this point and there are the die hard gasoline engine owners that refuse to change with the empty promises that electric cars will be better for the environment. Furthermore, who wants a muscle car that doesn’t even sound like one? I sure as hell don’t and I am one of those loud, gas guzzling, muscle machine purists that will always rev my engine every chance I get.
The Mustang itself has seen some changes throughout the decades and let’s face it, there were a few models of Mustangs that were not the most desirable. However, as time always has a way of keeping you on your feet, those specific undesirables are now becoming the collector items that others want. It’s all about the rotation. Things come and go and somehow always find a way of returning when you least expect it.
I think the Mustang will forever be a part of American history and now the growing global history. As other countries are finally getting introduced to the great American pony car, it is like our own history is being repeated elsewhere. People
all over the world want to catch up to what we have been experiencing and sharing for decades. That to me is absolutely fascinating. I remember the excitement that I felt riding in a Mustang for the first time and now I get to hear about those same experiences from people all over the globe. That shared passion is addicting.
I think the Mustang icon will continue to grow and inspire generation after generation of future gear heads and the best part, it will be happening EVERYWHERE. I can only imagine what the world would be like 50+ years from now after generations of enthusiasts have invested in their part of Mustang history. That is where STANG Magazine is needed.
Like I said previously and in so many ways, STANG Magazine was an idea, not an entity, designed to be everlasting. The
LORI ARMSTRONG
KONA BLAZE –2012 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: LORI ARMSTRONG
idea was to be the cornerstone to bring together all Mustang enthusiasts from around the world. There is no other way to unite that amount of people in such an effortless way. Just like the Mustang brings together complete strangers from all walks of life based on a common interest, STANG Magazine will bring together all Mustang enthusiasts with one common interest - to share and preserve their story, their Mustang, and their own legacy. That is the task we have volunteered to accomplish. We have provided every Mustang owner with a voice, a platform, and the tools to share their passion, to be remembered, and to connect.
I have been asked the question, “What are you going to do next?” The answer is usually “Not sure. What do YOU want us to do next?” STANG Magazine as an idea has evolved, but slowly over time. As people change, we too must change, but our goal from the start was to simply share stories, and honestly I don’t think we have even scratched the surface. People know about us, but there are so many Mustang owners and fans out there that do not know about us. On average, if we just highlight only 100 Mustangs a month, we are scheduled to be around doing what we do for the rest our lives and then
“STANG MAGAZINE IS A BRILLIANT WAY TO INCORPORATE CREATIVITY AND PASSION WITH ALL MUSTANG OWNERS WHO SHARE THE SAME INTERESTS AND VISION. SUCH A GREAT FAMILY TO BE INCLUDED IN! THANK YOU STANG MAGAZINE!”
some. There will always be another Mustang owner out there that finds out about STANG Magazine and wants to be an active part of our mission.
We plan to continue to grow, but steady and slow. Like our mission statement says, we hope that our message and our image will be seen by every Mustang community out there. That will happen in due time and the right way, but for now, we just wanted to tell our story because everyone has one. We too want to be remembered for our part of Mustang history, but more importantly, we want to help you to be remembered for your part in Mustang history. We want you to share your story, your Mustang, and to continue to build your own legacy.
Remember this: We are YOU. STANG Magazine is YOU. I am YOU. This is Daniel Ramey signing off, grabbing my keys, and hitting the open road. ENJOY THE RIDE AND WHO YOU RIDE WITH!
JOHN CARLSON
ELVIRA –2008 MUSTANG
PHOTO CRED:
JODI WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHY
THE WILLY WONKA ADVENTURES...
1. Yuengling Brewery Tour - Pottsville, PA
2. American Muscle and Classic Auto Mall - Morgantown, PA
3. Seneca Lake Wine Tour and 3 Brothers Winery - NY
4. Yuengling Brewery with Dick Yuengling - Pottsville, PA
5. Battleship New Jersey Bash - Camden, NJ
6. Centralia Graffiti Highway - Centralia, PA
7. Grounds For Sculpture - NJ
8. Gettysburg Battlefield - Gettysburg, PA
9. Kinzua Bridge Skywalk - PA
10. Watkins Glen International Raceway - NY
11. Angry Orchard Brewery - NY
12. Fort Delaware Ghost Hunt - DE
13. SEMA 2019 - Las Vegas, NV
14. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, WV
15. Hanover Holiday Gala - Hanover, PA
TOM LONGERBEAM
MY PASSION –2001 MUSTANG COBRA
PHOTO CRED:
THE WILLY WONKA ADVENTURES... 16. Carlisle Ford Nationals and Desperate Times Brewery - PA 17. Pennhurst Asylum - Spring City, PA 18. Valley Forge and Washington Chapel - PA
19. Jim Thorpe and Old Jail Museum - Jim Thorpe, PA
20. Carlisle Ford Nationals STANG Mag Display - PA 21. Cooter’s Dukes of Hazzard Cruise - Luray, VA 22. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, PA 23. Battleship New Jersey Bash - Camden, NJ
24. PA Renaissance Faire Pirate Invasion - PA
25. Big Bottom Brewery Party In The Parking Lot - PA
26. Hanoverville Roadhouse Ghost Hunt - PA
27. STANG Fest - Glen Rock, PA
28. SEMA 2021 - Las Vegas, NV
29. Cresson Sanatorium - Lilly, PA
30. Locked & Loaded Spring Fling - PA
31. Guinness Brewery - MD
32. Carlisle Ford Nationals 2022 - Carlisle, PA
33. Mustangs at Daytona 2022 - Daytona, FL
MELISSA JAMES
TROUBLE –2014 MUSTANG GT
PHOTO CRED: MELISSA JAMES
THE WILLY WONKA ADVENTURES...
34. Big Bottom Big Booty Blonde Bash - PA
35. Lake Erie Weekend - PA
36. Crabby Dick’s Nuts & Guts Tour - DE
37. Battleship New Jersey WW2 Rockabilly Bash - DE
38. Gettysburg Paranormal Adventure - PA
39. Yuengling Peaky Blinders Bash - Pottsville, PA
40. SEMA 2022 - Las Vegas, NV
41. STANGS & Shenanigans Tour 2023 - Various Events
42. Battleship New Jersey Overnight - Camden, DE
43. STANG Peaky Blinders Blind Tiger - PA
44. Mustangs at Daytona 2023 - Daytona, FL
45. SEMA 2023 - Las Vegas, NV
46. Back of the Dragon 2024 - WV
Mustangs at Daytona 2024 - Daytona, FL
47.
48. Twisted Bombshell Battlefield Hero Car Show - PA
