CAR OWNER BRIAN CARLISLE

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

RHEA - 2020 MUSTANG CALIFORNIA SPECIAL

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

I have loved Mustangs since I was 14 years old, but I never had the ability to own one until I reached almost 50. I even bought my daughter a Mustang (2002 V6) before I was able to get mine. Some of my family and friends will even say that I traded my wife, now former, for my first Pony in 2018, and that might be true. When I saw this beautiful 2020 California Special on the dealer’s website I really didn’t know much about them. I searched the web and found out the California Specials have literally a cult-like following. I knew I needed to part of that family, so down to the dealer I went and traded my 2018 on the 2020. I might get another Mustang down the road, but Rhea will never leave my side. In case you are wondering, she is named after Rhea Ripley, a pro wrestler. Ripley is a woman known for intimidating her opponents in the ring and this S550 does the same to me everyday.

If you asked me if I thought I’d be writing an article for STANG Magazine for my car this time last year I would’ve said no. If you asked me if I would be writing it about a different car than the 2005 Roush Mustang I had I would’ve said hell no. I loved that car but acquiring this one reinvigorated my passion for car shows and events!

I met Daniel Ramey at a Beltway Mustang show and won my spot with STANG Magazine in their Carlisle Ford Nationals display. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect being that I didn’t know the people attending and was going by myself.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Springs make the car just that much better. A few details, like a painted engine cover and strut covers, to make her feel pretty when I pop the hood always make me smile.

In my opinion, the Mustang is pound for pound and dollar for dollar the best performance car you buy. No other car is even close. Current mods on this Cali Special include Steeda Progressive Springs, Injen CAI, Bama Rev-X Tune, Rousch H-Pipe, Pirelli P-Zero Tires, and RPI Painted Engine Cover.

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

I love the overall look of the California Special so much that I haven’t done much in the way of modifications. Rhea is my daily driver so I just wanted to add mods to make her mine and make the drive even more enjoyable. I live not too far away from the North Georgia mountains, so when I get the time, I try and take her through those nice tight and twisty roads. While the S550 is a wonderfully built car, just a few simply tweaks like CAI, Bama Rev-X tune, and Steeda