Driven: RTR Spec 5 - the manual Mustang Ford won't build you | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat

TL;DR

The $160,000 RTR Spec 5 delivers 870hp, a TREMEC manual gearbox, and drift-inspired suspension tuning Ford itself won't offer.

Key Points

• 1.The RTR Spec 5 is a Ford-sanctioned, drift-inspired Mustang built by Vaughan Gittin Jr. It produces 870hp and 660 lb-ft of torque from a Coyote V8 with a 3-liter Stage 2 Whipple supercharger, more power than the $320,000 GTD at half the price.
• 2.A TREMEC six-speed manual gearbox is a key differentiator over rivals. Henry Catchpole calls it a 'real joy to use,' praising its heft and precision, with an RTR-specific flat-sided shifter — something not available on the GTD or many competitors.
• 3.The suspension is the car's most underrated achievement. Proprietary passive coilovers with 30 clicks of damper adjustment, adjustable front and rear sway bars, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on forged wheels create a progressive, communicative feel despite the car weighing 4,000 pounds.
• 4.The wide-body aesthetic draws from drift competition, not track racing. CFD work focused on venting wheel arch turbulence rather than generating downforce, but fit and finish shows its kit-car origins — stickers and add-on panels are visible up close.
• 5.The RTR occupies a distinct niche versus the Dark Horse SC, Shelby Super Snake, and GTD. It prioritizes fun and driver feel over pure lap times, includes rear seats (an advantage over Corvette rivals), and offers a personal dynamic vision rather than factory motorsport credentials.