CAR OWNER

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

MATTHEW SIMERLY MEAN GREEN –2020 MUSTANG GT

IT LED ME TO LOVE EVERYTHING FORD TO THIS DAY.

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

I owe my love of cars to my grandfather James. When I was younger, he’d take me to the Maryville McDonald’s on certain mornings when his pals were gathering. His friends would bring so many amazing classic vehicles — namely Ford Mustangs — but also El Caminos, Galaxies, Bel Airs — the list goes on and on. They were always so kind and informative. Their passion for cars was infectious. Fast forward to high school when I finally snagged a license. I’m embarrassed to admit my first vehicle was almost a Metallic Teal Camaro. The dealership talked my dad Terry out of it because insurance was a nightmare and tried to push me towards a Dodge Stratus. Luckily, James found a nice used Ford Ranger for me instead. It wasn’t a Mustang, but it led me to love everything Ford to this day.

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!

The next huge moment was when one of my best friends Grant started getting into Preludes. I was so fascinated at the completely different style imports presented, and almost tried to buy one myself, but that plan ended the moment I set foot at my first local car show. A 2003 Mystichrome Cobra pulled in and started revving. It was an eight-cylinder symphony. At that moment my destiny with Mustangs was immediately realigned. In 2010 I finally acquired my first of four. A 2011 Race Red Mustang V6 — the Cyclone engine had just been released. I had no business with 305 horsepower under my lead foot, but I had never felt more alive!

I traded a couple times after that, and finally landed on Mean Green. The moment I saw Grabber Lime in person, I knew it was my favorite color. Not to mention one of my grandfather’s friends used to pull up in a 1971 Grabber Lime Mach 1 — it was all coming full circle.

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.

I’m extremely lucky to be a part of Smoky Mountain Stangs here in East Tennessee. Thanks to them, I had the honor of going WOT on the Half Mile of Mayhem that is Martinsville Speedway — twice! We’ve also conquered the Devil’s Triangle and several other amazing routes in and around the Smoky Mountains. Mean Green is also driven by my wife Shellie. I will always be grateful for her ability to put up with my excitement for any and everything Mustang. I am also extremely blessed, as my son James (named after his grandfather) has decided his first Mustang will also be green!

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

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!