When you pull up to a traffic light, it’s unlikely you’ll find Megan Schafer passively riding shotgun in her boyfriend’s 2004 Ford Mustang GT.
Schafer will probably be the one coasting up on your other side, revving the engine of her 2005 Ford Mustang convertible. After all, why ride shotgun when you can drive as well?
These Bowleys Quarters residents are die-hard Mustang fans. Schafer said her first car was a 1999 Chevy Cavalier that had all the aftermarket essentials worthy of a true tuner. But when the time came to trade in she wasn’t quite happy with the Chevy Equinox she bought to replace it. Boyfriend T.J. Lapinski was making changes to the stock configuration on his pony, gradually adding more power, and Schafer was taking note.
“I really liked his car but I could not drive it since I don’t know how to drive a stick, so we decided to go to the dealership and see if they had anything. I told them that I wanted a convertible or T-top, whatever they could find me,” said Schafer.
The salesman told her they received a nice trade-in the night before, and soon Schafer was customizing her own top-down Mustang
Not to be outdone, Megan refuses to play second fiddle to her boyfriend T.J. Lapinski and his supercharged GT. In the spirit of competition, a full Razzi bodykit has been added to give the Mustang a lower and more aggressive profile. Racing stripes top off the look, and a new Pypes exhaust system has replaced the oxygen-starved stock pipes.
As for Lapinski, his Mustang GT features a Kenne Bell supercharger, 3:73 rear differentials to get the wheels spinning, and a high flow exhaust system courtesy of SLP.
Schafer said her choice of a Mustang actually had nothing to do with Lapinski’s own model. The two have similar tastes in vehicles. And since Schafer had been part of the tuner culture for some years, she knew how well the Mustang fit into many aftermarket configurations given its large base of industry support.
“T.J. did not influence me to buy the car,” said Schafer. “I guess you could say I got jealous, so I had to get my own.”
So who gets to drive when it’s a night on the town? That depends on who is telling the story.
What do you drive?
Megan: A 2005 Ford Mustang convertible.
T.J.: A 2004 Ford Mustang GT.
And why do you drive it?
Megan: ’Cause it’s a sharp looking car.
T.J.: I wanted something fun to drive.
What makes this car so special?
Megan: It’s a Mark III Custom.
T.J.: It’s a 40th Anniversary Competition Orange GT and there are not many orange ones around.
What’s your most memorable driving experience?
Megan: Test-driving the car in early January with the top down. It was 30 degrees outside.
What’s the first car you owned?
Megan: A 1999 Rally Sport Cavalier
T.J.: 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis
What’s currently in your CD player?
Megan: I have a six disc CD player … a few burned CDs, Poison and Def Leppard.
T.J.: A burned CD with music of my choice.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
Megan: Speeding.
T.J.: Tint.
