Ford Mustang RTR knocks on the door of the Boss 302

As customers continue to throw handfuls of dollars at Ford to get their hands on the Mustang Boss 302, the popularity of that car might leave some discerning Blue Oval buyers wanting something more unique.

Enter Vaughn Gittin Jr., world champion drifter and Mustang fan, with his vision for the perfect 'Stang—the RTR.

Designing and building the 2013 Ford Mustang RTR was a combined effort among Gittin Jr., Ford and Classic Design Concepts. The aim was to create a more streetable performance car suited for track, drift and cruising duties.

The RTR is a dealer-offered and -installed package that comes with a bevy of upgrades on the inside, outside and under the hood.

“Dealers receive a pallet with the complete set of RTR parts and can install them in, ideally, one day,” a RTR representative said.

There are two RTR options for buyers: the $6,250 Spec 1 appearance package and the $11,995 Spec 2 Ford Racing performance option. The latter bumps horsepower on the V8s to either 525 hp or—for an unannounced additional price—a supercharger-enabled 624 hp. Prices include the recommended cost of installation.

A Spec 3 package with additional high-end suspension components and more power is rumored and might be released by the end of the summer.

Calls to local Ford dealers listed on the RTR Web site elicited more questions than answers. One was unaware of the vehicle and had to “ask around,” while another didn't believe that it was qualified to install the packages and suggested “tuning shops” might be installing them. So if you plan to order an RTR Mustang, you should contact your local Ford dealer first and determine if it is a RTR authorized dealership.

A base-model V6 Mustang with RTR Spec 1 equipment can be had for $28,245, including destination charges. A base V8-equipped GT model with the added RTR Spec 2 equipment costs $42,090. That puts it within spitting distance of the $42,995 Boss 302.

For more information on the Mustang RTR, check out the spec page here.

By David Arnouts