Photography by Jeremy Lopeman
by John Stapleton
Jeremy Lopeman says he had no plans to modify his 2014 S550 Mustang when he bought it.
“I was particularly interested in this new S550 platform because it had the independent rear suspension sub-frame rather than the traditional solid straight axle that most Mustangs came with in earlier generations,” Lopeman says.
“I called around to a few Ford dealerships, and only one dealership had one coming in that was blue and I had to test drive it! Needless to say I fell in love with it and took it home right after my test drive.”
Previously, Lopeman had a 2007 Nissan 350z and a ’88 Honda Accord, both vehicles often modified, even if just with a stereo system that shakes the neighborhood.
Now, Lopeman is on his fourth pair of wheels, paired with titanium lug nuts. The carbon hood has a see-through window putting the supercharged engine on display.
“Carbon-fiber GT350R rear-spoiler, massive aluminum front splitter with heavy-duty splitter rods,” Lopeman says, adding “the list of mods is way too long.”
The Mustang started off as an everyday driver. Nowadays, Lopeman brings the car out only on special occasions and shows.
“The heads this car turns at car shows just gives me a sense of pride knowing the hard work I put into it is loved by most, but she’s always got some haters, too,” he says. “The amount of trophies she brings home definitely makes me feel pretty accomplished; hard work pays off, literally.”
The work put into the Mustang got Lopeman invited to the SEMA convention (Specialty Equipment Market Association).
“To have my car at a national convention was something I’ve always dreamed of,” he says. “I had such
a blast and can’t wait to go back
again someday.”
For Lopeman, the best part of the work is including his 5 year-old son Brayden.
“I love that my son always wants to be in the garage helping me work on the Mustang,” he says. “It just warms my heart hearing him say ‘Dad, I wanna help’ every time he sees me heading into the garage.
“He knows that one day when he’s old enough that it will be his car. So he already calls it his car. Needless to say I definitely don’t have any plans to sell it — I’m keeping it for my boy when he’s old enough.”
