When Kelly went out to check under the hood of her boyfriend Tony’s ‘79 C10, she was shocked to find him getting on one knee ready to propose.
Tony proposed to his girlfriend, Kelly, before their turn in the C10 Nationals Burnout Contest. Tony planned on making this contest one to remember.
“Last year we did the burnout contest, we didn’t actually end up placing first, second or third, and I was like, ‘I’m going to come out with a bang this year,’” Tony said.
The ’79 C10, equipped with a 454 big block turbo, 400 transmission, 3000 stall, and 373 rear gear with a mini spool, was not only prepared to burn rubber but also served as the backdrop for a memorable proposal.
When Tony and Kelly started their burnout, the crowd was surprised to see blue smoke. That’s because Tony chose to use blue tires as a memorial.
“We ended up getting pregnant last July, we lost our son at 20 weeks and five days in November,” Tony said. “His name was going to be Dylan Jax, so that’s why I decided to do the blue tires. I figured that was pretty fitting, you know, for the truck, for proposing to her – kind of tie it all in together.”
Tony and Kelly first met each other through Tinder and went to a car meet for their first date.
“I picked her up from her apartment in Denton, and we drove all the way to Garland,” Tony said.
Tony says that he got the “automotive bug” from his dad and uncles and that he passed it on to Kelly. Currently, they altogether are building a ‘65 frame-off.
“I’m the one with the reliable daily that can carry the parts to the garages,” Kelly said.
When asked about their future plans, Kelly said she has been planning the wedding for a while.
“I’m telling you how it is, when girls hear proposal or ring or engagement they instantly start planning their wedding – it’s just a known thing,” Kelly said. “Or even if they don’t have a boyfriend they plan their wedding – which was me.”
The couple would like to have their wedding in a barn. They want to capture a true “Texan” feel.
“My thing is if you have a running and driving project car, you’re required to bring it to the wedding,” Tony said. “This is the truck we’re going to be driving away in for the wedding, already got that set and they already gave me permission to do a burnout.”
The couple plans to have their wedding next June, afterward, they plan on trying for another baby and hopefully getting Kelly a C10.
Check out Tony’s Instagram here.