Where to start? That was the question that lingered in my mind when it came time to write up the feature on Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Team NFS RTR-X.
Unlike a lot of the cars we feature here on Speedhunters, the RTR-X is something that many of you are already familiar with – whether you followed Vaughn's build posts, saw the car at an event, or even drove it virtually in an NFS game.
I personally became quite attached to the project as I photographed its construction from start to finish, and that's a large reason while I was called upon to write this feature.
The RTR-X is not so much a car as it is a vision. A vision that's been brought to reality by an extremely talented group of people working together closely. Whether it was Vaughn leading the project, Andy Blackmore's creative talents, Gary Steen's amazing fabrication skills, or the long nights that Eric and Koz at Twins Turbo put in getting the whole thing to work.
The goals for the RTR-X project were lofty. Not only would the car be a styling breakthrough, but it was designed to be driven hard – and driven sideways.
One of the things that struck me the most about the RTR-X is how it was literally built from nothing but a pile of new parts. There isn't a single original 1969 part on the entire car. It's a testament to just how far the performance aftermarket has come.
At the same time though, the RTR-X is anything but a catalog-built Hot Rod. In fact it's by far one of the most ambitious car builds I've ever seen.
As soon as the new Dynacorn '69 Mustang shell arrived at Steen Chassis, the immense build process began. Within minutes the front half of the Mustang chassis was ripped off and replaced with a custom unit from Art Morrison.
Behind every bit of work on the car there's a story that needs to be told – take the motor for instance. There are lots of 5.0-powered cars around these days, but when the build began in the spring of 2010 Ford's 5.0 motor was a new beast. Thanks to Vaughn's relationship with Ford Racing, the team was able to get their hands on the Boss 302R crate motor early on.
Once he had the motor, Vaughn worked closely with MoTeC, who developed the ECU for the car.The MoTeC M800 is actually the first stand alone system to work with the 5.0 motor and is capable of controlling each of the four cams individually.
The RTR-X could have easily been powered by a fully-built supercharged or turbocharged Ford motor, but massive horsepower and torque was not the goal here.
Its 401 wheel horsepower on 91 octane is not a big number by modern Muscle Car standards, but it's a perfect amount of usable, accessible power for this 3,160 pound chassis. It's hard not do draw comparisons from the high winding Boss 302 Trans Am racers.
Not to mention, the car just wouldn't be the same without the Kinsler individual throttle bodies popping through the hood. This was in fact a design feature from the beginning. Also note the custom-built K&N filters in each throttle – another one of the unique details on this build and a necessity for keeping debris out of the motor.
It's so hard to sum up all the work that's been done on this car in a simple feature. The headers are a good example of this. The boys at Twins Turbo put their skills to the test building manifolds that would clear the subframe when mounted to the wide 5.0 motor. The finished headers are pieces of art, but most people will never even see them.
After seeing countless "needs more low" comments on the internet, Vaughn knew the RTR-X had to sit low and mean. At the same time though, it had to function properly. This would be no airbagged show queen.
Up front the JRi coilovers work flawlessly in the Art Morrison subframe, giving a dramatic stance without sacrificing proper geometry or suspension travel.
The same goes for the rear suspension, thanks to a Maier in-board cantilever setup and a custom three-link from Steen Chassis.
The wheel and tire setup was a key part of the build from the beginning. While some people fit the widest rubber they can, or alter their factory bodywork to fit a certain wheel, the RTR-X was literally built around its wheels.
From the custom tubs to the perfectly formed flares, everything was done to make the Work Meisters look like they belong. In case you need a refresher on the wheel specs, try 18×10 -20 front and 18×12 -20 rear.
The bodywork is something that often gets overlooked on the RTR-X. Metal master Mark DeLong worked some magic when he filmed the seams, tucked the bumpers, and flush mounted the windows. He also formed the rear spoiler and side scoops by hand. Even more impressive is that all of this was done 100% in metal.
It was also amazing to watch the soft-spoken Abraham Morales hand-form the front spoiler and fender flares out of clay – all while Vaughn watched and made sure everything matched his original vision. It wasn't uncommon for this kind of thing to last until the wee hours of the morning.
Yet despite all the work done to the body, nothing looks out of place. Those unfamiliar with Mustangs might even think these are the factory lines.
The interior of the RTR-X is a well thought out mix of both street car and race car elements.
The team at Stitchcraft Interiors did a fine job giving everything a factory-like look. From some angles you might think you were looking at the co*ckpit of a modern sports car.
Vaughn wanted to make sure there was some sort of music to be heard when he drives the RTR-X. This throw back style radio unit fits the bill nicely. All in all, the interior is quite civilized.
One look at the big e-brake handle though, and you know this thing was built for some tire-shredding fun.
The display on the MoTeC SDL cluster says it all.
In many ways the the RTR-X is a machine that perfectly embodies the Speedhunters ethos.
It's a car that's been influenced by automotive subcultures from around the world – all of which are seen on this site daily. The RTR-X is part street car, part race car. It's even part show car. It's classic, yet it's modern. It's functional and it's extremely unique.
Most importantly, it's damn cool.
If just one vehicle could represent everything that Speedhunters is about, this would be it.
In that sense the RTR-X belongs to you guys just as much as it belongs to Vaughn Gittin Jr.
-Mike Garrett
Photos by Linhbergh
Specs
Base Vehicle
* Dynacorn 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback shell
Powertrain
* Ford Racing Boss 302R crate engine * Ford Racing Boss 302R1 six-speed transmission
* Motec M800 engine management
* Kinsler Individual Throttle body injection
* Ford Racing FR500s mufflers
* 72LB Bosch EV 14 Fuel injectors
* Bosch 044 Fuel pump
* K&N Air and Oil Filters
* Griffin Radiator
Chassis
* Art Morrison custom front subframe
* Steen Chassis custom 3 link rear with watts link
* Steen Chassis custom sheet metal work, tubs and cage
* JRi ST/08 Coil-Over Racing Shock Absorber
* Maier Racing “extreme rear suspension”
* Wilwood Brakes Superlite 6 Pro Spindle / RTR-X front Hub kit
* Wilwood Brakes Superlite 4 RTR-X floating rear kit
Wheels & Tires
* Work Meister Wheels 18×10 front 18×12 rear
* Falken Tire RT-615K 255/40/18 front 295/40/18 rear
Exterior
* BASF Paint products
* Custom metal formed rear brake ducts, and rear spoiler
* Custom over fenders and chin spoiler by Abraham Morales
* Shaved Drip rails
* Flush mount windows
* Tucked rear bumper
* Headlights and Tail lights by Classic Design Concepts
* Custom RTR-X Carbon Fiber grill and surrounding trim
* Custom RTR-X Chin spoiler and Fender Flares
Interior
* Motec Sport Dash Logger.
* Custom Interior by Stitchcraft interiors
* Sparco Seats and Harness’s
Created By:
* Build by Twins Turbo and Steen Chassis Signal Hill CA.
* Design by Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Andy Blackmore.
* Metal body fabrication by Mark Delong and John Da Luz San Diego CA.
* Painted by Auto Explosion Gardena CA.
* Powder Coat by Liquid Powder Coat Yardley PA
* Carbon fiber work by Abraham Morales
More RTR-X Stories on Speedhunters
Comments
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82 comments
3:41 pmDecember 6, 2011
How much mula went into this?
3:42 pmDecember 6, 2011
Wish it was raced or drifted competitively. I'm pretty sure I can count the drift threads on this car with one hand. It's a cool car none the less. That interior is gorgeous and the satin/gloss paint portions definitely do say NFS to the brain.
3:50 pmDecember 6, 2011
what i like the most about this car is that linhbergh was the one to shoot it. f*ckin awesome, mind totally blown
4:12 pmDecember 6, 2011
Beautiful.
4:24 pmDecember 6, 2011
91 Octane? Are you serious? I knew the States got bad fuel, but that's appalling. Is that the highest grade available?
In Aus, that's our st fuel...
4:36 pmDecember 6, 2011
I love this car has a massive presence! Not everyone will like it as a whole (it's still a car, so that's bound to happen). The best of it all is the work that was put into building the rtr-x - it's just mindblowing. I also like how a good old 69 wasn't used to do the job but a replica body: gotta keep those classics as classics!
4:40 pmDecember 6, 2011
Would be much cooler if painted with BULLIT color.
4:47 pmDecember 6, 2011
Flawless balance of form and function. Flawless.
4:57 pmDecember 6, 2011
Nice1!
5:10 pmDecember 6, 2011
Not a huge muscle car fan, not a huge drift fan but would I drive that thing? helllllll yes. Awesome piece of kit.
5:22 pmDecember 6, 2011
Bad thing about this car is the MoTeC SDL.
5:36 pmDecember 6, 2011
IfItAintARotor;
http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/Reference/RONMONPON.html
all is not what it seems reg; fuel
6:32 pmDecember 6, 2011
is this the same place you shot mark arcenal's skylines?
6:38 pmDecember 6, 2011
Perfect, first time I notice there was air filters in the velocity stacks.
7:48 pmDecember 6, 2011
Love teh RTRX Thanks for building this car!
9:11 pmDecember 6, 2011
so sick! never get tired of that ride. Desktop please!
9:39 pmDecember 6, 2011
what happen if you drive it in the rain ?
11:09 pmDecember 6, 2011
@ IfItAintARotorItAintAMotor.
Octane is not a measurement of the quality of fuel.
11:16 pmDecember 6, 2011
Such a sick car. I love everything about this build. Good lines, great wheels, and the itb's just make it all better.
11:17 pmDecember 6, 2011
The RTR-X is beauty AND the beast!!! Big up to everyone involved in it's creation!
11:38 pmDecember 6, 2011
if it belongs to me as well, does that mean i can drive it? cuz id like to lol
11:49 pmDecember 6, 2011
Amazing vehicle, I hope there is to be some desktop images available soon from this shoot.
11:54 pmDecember 6, 2011
Mother of God.. That is a beauty beyond imagination..
11:56 pmDecember 6, 2011
In last picture looks like RTR-X is just eating the road!
11:59 pmDecember 6, 2011
What happens if it starts raining a lot :P? Can't be that good for the engine.
12:05 amDecember 7, 2011
I love this car, and I love this site.. you guys provide daily doses of awesome in many forms, from many disciplines.. but this thing seamlessly brings them all together in a package that I may very well call the coolest car I've ever seen. Thanks for writing this feature. The car is a work of art!
12:07 amDecember 7, 2011
Great Read. One of my favorite cars and builds
12:10 amDecember 7, 2011
Fantastic photos once again Linhbergh. We better be seeing some desktops.
12:16 amDecember 7, 2011
I like everything but the horrid green accents.
12:16 amDecember 7, 2011
In last picture looks like RTR-X is just eating the road!
12:18 amDecember 7, 2011
great photos as always! Perfect location
12:19 amDecember 7, 2011
nice car, like your jobs
12:26 amDecember 7, 2011
very tastefully done.. I enjoy how you guys are about the new version of the ford 5.0 and n/a itb madness. I can only imagine the throttle response it had through that backwood road
keep it stangin
12:29 amDecember 7, 2011
Such a Beauty of a car. Love the interior mainly, Just sitting behind that wheel would be a thrill.
12:39 amDecember 7, 2011
The last picture is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
desktops?!?!?!?!?!
12:40 amDecember 7, 2011
WANT. So bad.
1:17 amDecember 7, 2011
so nice... i like that car...
1:45 amDecember 7, 2011
I'm pretty sure those little filters are a detriment to ITB flutes.
I'd rather see a big filter over the top when debris is a concern.
1:53 amDecember 7, 2011
why thank you, if its as mych ours when do i get the keys for a go...
1:53 amDecember 7, 2011
why thank you, if its as mych ours when do i get the keys for a go...
2:00 amDecember 7, 2011
It really pisses me off that you guys dont make desktops of every picture you post. Or atleast make it to where you can click on the image to enlarge it.
2:08 amDecember 7, 2011
So stoked! great write up, even greater machine!
2:13 amDecember 7, 2011
"needs more low"
2:17 amDecember 7, 2011
first sight of this car and i just completely fell in LOVE!!! one beautiful machine!
2:30 amDecember 7, 2011
Is there any way we can get some wallpapers of this beauty? All the pictures are outstanding, but the last one would look particularly god on my desktop.
3:26 amDecember 7, 2011
MUST. RESIST. FAPPING.
4:20 amDecember 7, 2011
Can we get desktops of these pictures please? The car looks immaculate.
5:23 amDecember 7, 2011
If this does belong to us... can i borrow it on the first weekend of January? I will return it with a full tank of fuel.
5:59 amDecember 7, 2011
Wallpapers please 
7:32 amDecember 7, 2011
91 octane is the same as 98 octane America are just to cool to call it 98
8:38 amDecember 7, 2011
It's nice... but I prefer the Ring Brothers '70 fastback "Dragon".
8:54 amDecember 7, 2011
Having sponsors on your car is one thing but video game titles need to be kept off. Otherwise, I think this is the only mustang I like!
Thanks for the fuel ratings thing Jack, interesting read.
12:35 pmDecember 7, 2011
please ... do some wallpapers of these awesome pictures !!!
2:02 pmDecember 7, 2011
one word NICE!
2:09 pmDecember 7, 2011
I get horny by zhis car
2:22 pmDecember 7, 2011
One word "Epic"!!
2:57 pmDecember 7, 2011
Ok.....i think Speedhunters need to stop glorifying this car now.....I mean it's had more features than Pamela Anderson's breasts....
I admit it is a nice build, but it really not that good...
Move along fellas...
3:32 pmDecember 7, 2011
really nice stang, would love to have one in my garage
4:18 pmDecember 7, 2011
We need some video
5:08 pmDecember 7, 2011
this car like in my dreams but i wish to this dreams cause to real in my life......
12:07 amDecember 8, 2011
it does look fantasically awesome, it must be at least a 'smile enducing' experience to drive, i'know my body would probably have another quite natural reaction! i think as a build, there not much much out there that i've seen that can hold a candle to it - those wheels, the ride height, the livery, those seats.. all combine to make it well on its way to being Legendary! Nice work.. very nice work! - Thanks
8:12 amDecember 8, 2011
this is a dream, i never saw such a ass kicking mustang
9:22 amDecember 8, 2011
Please, make Desktops (wallpapers) of this beast machine
1:54 pmDecember 8, 2011
pretty cool apart from the green accents. seems everyone can appreciate this car, sweet jdm wheels, sweet sounding motor, sweet stance...fully functional also, for sure a quality build. speedhunters should upload some videos of this thing tearing around a track or something (no music...just engine sound 
2:29 pmDecember 8, 2011
not such a fan of the colour scheme, but this car's a beaut
2:48 pmDecember 8, 2011
What is the name of the green paint used on the Work misters?
5:08 pmDecember 8, 2011
DESKTOPS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
6:43 pmDecember 8, 2011
just one word.. AMAZING!
7:40 pmDecember 8, 2011
the most curious part of the car is the suspension. hey SH, please put the facebook account to make comments ^^
4:56 amDecember 9, 2011
That motor makes circa 420 HP stock - with aftermarket ECU and ITBs I'm guessing it makes more, not less as quoted in the feature.
8:24 amDecember 9, 2011
this beast looks soooo UNREAL!!! <3
11:15 amDecember 9, 2011
awesome build, but fix the crooked horn button!
3:31 pmDecember 9, 2011
never have been a huge muscle car fan but that is AWESOME!!!!!!
7:24 amDecember 11, 2011
This one of my favorite cars of all time. i just like everything.
11:00 amDecember 12, 2011
Anyone know the brand of those seats, and possibly a part number?
12:06 pmSeptember 1, 2012Mike Al
would love to have a car like this, except street legal..
12:06 pmSeptember 1, 2012Mike Al
would love to have a car like this, except street legal..
12:06 pmSeptember 1, 2012Mike Al
would love to have a car like this, except street legal..
8:05 pmJanuary 28, 2013InnerToxicity
@Mike Al isn't the whole point that it is street legal??
8:23 amNovember 15, 2013The bac
I got 1 it's a coupe tho but really what's the differance I can do the same mods. Been workin on it a lot lately and just lookin in on this for inspiration.
11:09 amSeptember 15, 2014Jeff JURASICH
Hi Jeff here love it any chance fender flares are in production now if not any chance u could give me a heads up on how I might be able to get a pair and if not anything that might be close I under stand if not produced just if something might be close from a factory car or truck or aftermarket I understand it would me to be modified just looking for a base more or less please get back to me I would forever be in your debt if u will thanks a lot for all your time on this again thank you sir thxjj
