What happens when you take classic American metal and hand it over to one of the most meticulous custom shops in the country? You get 20 of the Ringbrothers’ most exciting builds! With obsessive attention to detail and a devotion to preserving each car’s original silhouette and soul, the team at Ringbrothers displays new models every year at SEMA.
The Ringbrothers, led by co-founders and brothers Jim and Mike Ring, along with their team, have created some powerful, top-of-the-line builds over the years, and this roundup spotlights their most recent builds over the past decade.
What Builds Made the Cut
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is where the world’s best custom car builders, fabricators, and tuners show off their latest innovations — and where the Ringbrothers have become legends. To curate this list, we looked at the most recent custom creations from the Ringbrothers team, including the featured unveils from the 2024 SEMA show.
Because of the dedication and scope of work each build requires, the Ringbrothers don’t display a new vehicle very often. Many of them take thousands of hours to complete. Since they began, they have built and developed quite a few cars, and like any true piece of art, each build gets better with time. This article features what is displayed in the Ringbrothers gallery as the most recent cars of the past decade.
Ringbrothers shared the following official details and statements with Guessing Headlights.
Infected
“Infected” is a 1970 Plymouth Cuda completely redone with extensive fabrication and carbon fiber components, which took over 5,600 hours to build. This custom-built car completely recreates the beloved American muscle car with enhanced construction, more power, and high-quality design. Under the hood sits a supercharged HEMI V8 engine from a Hellcat Redeye that produces 807 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of torque, mated to a Bowler TREMEC TR-6060 six-speed manual transaxle.
“The ‘Cuda has always been one of those cars we’ve been itching to build. The lines and proportions are the quintessential muscle car, so it’s a perfect canvas to break new ground and highlight our in-house capabilities,” shared Jim Ring, co-owner of the Rinbrothers brand, in an official statement. “The paintwork is an homage to Mopar’s High-Impact colors of the ’70s, albeit with a proprietary twist. We worked directly with our partners at BASF to create what we’re calling ‘Pink Eye,’ a not-so-subtle nod to the Hellcrate Redeye Engine.
Invadr
“Invadr” is a dream for lovers of the 1987 Buick Grand National. The team invested over 5,000 hours in build time to bring the G body to a whole new level of performance, design, and production quality. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine built by Duttweiler Performance and produces an impressive 2,000 horsepower at 50 pounds of boost or a more daily-driver-ready 1,246 horsepower at 32 pounds of boost on E85.
“This car is all about presence. The bodywork is subtle at a glance, but the ferocity of what’s under the hood begins to materialize on second viewing. And then you drive it,” says Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring. “The acceleration of this car is nothing short of violent. This may well be the fastest car we’ve built to date.”
Tuka
“Tuka” is built from a 1972 Chevrolet Blazer, upgrading a familiar favorite with more power, enhanced styling, and top-notch build quality that took over 3,700 hours to complete. Hiding under the carbon fiber hood is a 525-hp GM Performance 6.2-liter LS3 V8 paired with a Bowler Tru-Street GM 4L60E automatic transmission. The platform is further enhanced by the chassis elements borrowed from a third-generation Tacoma, including the independent front suspension that has been upgraded with Total Chaos control arms, along with a custom rear suspension and King shocks on all four corners.
“TUKA is distinct from the Blazers we’ve built before as it melds our knowledge of the platform with updated underpinnings, creating our desired on and off-road vision,” Jim Ring explains. “This project is all about crafting something new and highly functional from a tried, true, and familiar K5 that can be used daily while no stranger to playing in the dirt.”
Paramount
Built from a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, “Paramount” is the epitome of class and luxury with over 3,400 hours of time invested into the fabrication, paint work, and engineering. Even a Rolls this regal hides serious firepower under its bonnet. Under the hood — or should we say, bonnet — sits a 6.2-liter LT4 engine, which puts out 640 horsepower and 635 lb-ft of torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a custom QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft and a Bowler Tru-Street 10-speed automatic transmission.
“Unlike many of our builds, we chose to retain the original bodywork and lines of the Rolls, so at first glance, there are only hints to what lies beneath,” shares Jim Ring. “That all changes when the door opens to show the completely custom interior, or a press of the go pedal emits a telltale supercharger whine. This truly is the ultimate luxury sleeper.”
Uncaged
Titled “Uncaged,” this 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible Restomod is a completely custom, deep red pony car with some insane attributes. It’s brought together by 4,000 hours of top-notch work, from the shaping and refinishing to the engineering and design, giving the car an epic refresh. Under the hood is a brand-appropriate Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V8 crate engine, producing 460 hp, mated to a 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. The bodywork is fully bespoke with a Roadster Shop FAST TRACK chassis that creates a custom unibody build.
“UNCAGED lives up to its name, setting loose modern power and handling in a classic shape that looks at home on today’s streets,” says Jim Ring. “Every aspect of this build has been thoroughly reimagined. It’s lower and meaner, a mix of tradition and modern carried throughout the bodywork and into the cabin.”
Tusk
Named “Tusk” after the limited production run Hellephant engine under the hood, this build started life as a 1969 Dodge Charger. It took the Ringbrothers’ team over 5,000 hours to complete this build. The Hellephant engine under the hood is limited to a production run of 100 units, making it a rare and powerful drivetrain option. This supercharged 7.0-liter V8 pushes out 1,000 hp and a whopping 950 lb-ft of torque delivered to the rear wheels via a TREMEC T-56 Magnum six-speed manual and a QA1 REV Series custom carbon-fiber driveshaft.
“Performance and design shaped this build. It really shows what can be accomplished when cutting-edge techniques work in tandem with painstaking levels of detail and imagination,” adds Mike Ring. “The second-gen Charger is one of those cars that’s so iconic as the zenith of American muscle car styling and performance, and that’s what we set out to replicate with this build.”
Enyo
I still remember the first time I saw “Enyo” at the Barrett-Jackson Cup. Built on a 1948 Chevy Super Truck, Enyo is as much a showstopper as it is a high-quality performance build. With over 10,000 hours of intense and dedicated labor and craftsmanship put into this car, it is easily one of my personal favorites. It has a racing-inspired powertrain, with a 510 cubic-inch tall-deck engine built by Todd Goodwin with Kinsler eight-stack injection, a Holley fuel management system, and a Bowler Performance Corvette torque-tube 4L80 automatic transaxle. All that power is wrapped into an “anti-street-rod” body, state-of-the-art chassis, carbon fiber, and aero management.
“We have been quietly planning this build for years, imagining and reimagining how it would ultimately take shape,” Jim Ring details. “The end result is truly a super truck that brings together two vehicles that should never have met to deliver immense character combined with power and performance usually reserved for today’s most advanced racecars. We’re thrilled to finally be able to share ENYO with the world.”
Strode
“Strode” is a 1969 Chevy Camaro brought to life by the Ringbrothers team in over 6,500 hours of meticulous labor. The team completely re-imagined the iconic American car with more power and a higher quality of fabrication than ever before, including a bespoke carbon fiber body and updated creature comforts. Strode isn’t just beautiful — it has the brawn to match. Under the hood sits a Whipple-supercharged Wegner Motorsports LS3, which offers an impressive 1,010 hp delivered to the wheels via a reworked Bowler Tremec T-56 Mangum six-speed manual transmission.
“The build process of STRODE shows what can be accomplished using cutting-edge techniques, painstaking levels of detail and imagination,” says Jim Ring. “We digitally modeled the original Camaro body and rendered a more aggressive version of it in carbon fiber. Custom 3D-printed and billet-machined parts were also manufactured and paired with advanced components to make STRODE extremely capable and comfortable.”
Patriarc
Dubbed “Patriarc,” this 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 has undergone over 5,000 labor hours to create a build that combines the iconic ’60s pony car styling with a modern drivetrain and top-tier fabrication. Taking a Roadster Shop FAST TRACK Stage III chassis converted to unibody, combined with the original Mach 1 body after being extensively modified by the team, this dialed-in American muscle car packs a punch. It’s powered by a Ford Performance Aluminator 5.2 XS engine for a usable 580 hp, mated to a Bowler Tremec T-56 Magnum six-speed manual. It’s supported by a Strange Engineering 9-inch rear end, Penske Racing Shocks RS Edition coilovers, and independent front and rear Roadster Shop FAST TRACK suspension.
“The Mustang Mach 1 has always been an aggressive-looking car, and we wanted to add to those classic good looks with subtle but critical changes,” Jim Ring explains. “Over 5,000 hours went into building PATRIAC and perfecting the aesthetics. And, like all our builds, it has the performance to match its newfound aggression.”
Bully
Built over 8,500 hours of extensive labor, “Bully” is a completely redone 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer with hardcore off-roading capabilities. A 1,200 hp Wegner Motorsports-built 6.8-liter LS3 V8 topped with a 4.5-liter Whipple supercharger powers all four wheels. It’s supported by Currie Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles with a triangulated four-link suspension that employs two FOX coilovers per wheel.
“The aptly named ‘BULLY’ is a thorough reimagining of Chevrolet’s premier off-roader, and every aspect of this build was designed to push the envelope,” Mike Ring shares. “We wanted to exceed current limits of what to expect in an iconic four-wheel drive while maintaining the extreme attention to detail we’re known for.”
Captiv
Built from a 1969 Dodge Charger, “Captiv” takes the American muscle car up a notch. The car was originally disassembled in New Zealand before it made its way stateside into the hands of the Ringbrothers team, where it underwent extensive upgrades. Power for Captiv is made by a Mopar Hellcat crate engine for a usable 707 horsepower, with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. This build is a true testament to the team’s metalworking capabilities and quality, converting the car to a full unibody. It’s upgraded with a Flowmaster exhaust, QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft, and Baer six-piston brakes.
“This project has been years in the making,” Jim Ring shares. “The project was started more than 8,000 miles from where it was finished, with work being carried out on either side of the Pacific.”
Caged
Another Mustang on the list! “Caged” was designed from a 1964.5 Ford Mustang convertible and underwent more than 4,200 hours of work to become the fully built pony car it is today. Staying true to the brand, Caged is powered by a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V8 crate engine mated to a 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission.
“Every piece of this car has been touched and updated with the original design cues in mind, down to the iconic Mustang taillight bezels, gas cap and running horse emblems,” Jim Ring says. “There’s a lot of nuances that went into the design, and we’re proud of that aspect of the build. Only the expert eye will be able to discern the subtly of the differences.”
Raskal
Built from a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer, “Raskal” took 2,800 hours with attention to detail on every panel and surface inside and out. Raskal offers 430-horsepower from a Wegner Motorsports-built 6.2-liter LS3 V8 combined with a Bowler Tru-Street GM 4L80E automatic transmission, all riding on a custom RS4 chassis built by Roadster Shop.
“This build is less about the numbers and more about character,” states Mike Ring. “Every piece of the build was designed to embrace the fun sport-utility aspects of the original K5, but enhanced to be better and more capable in every way.
Defector
Unveiled as “Defector,” this 1969 Dodge Charger has undergone extensive modifications. Over the course of more than 4,700 hours, this Mopar has been completely done over while maintaining the original styling cues and adding modifications that enhance the car’s factory appearance.
Defector is powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi engine from Wegner Motorsports, but it’s the bodywork where the muscle car really shines. In the trunk area, the car was shortened by two inches, and the wheel base extended by three inches. The side rockers were lengthened and quarter panels were lowered and extended, all sitting on a Detroit Speed Hydroformed Subframe.
Defiant!
“Defiant!” is a fully done-over 1972 AMC Javelin AMX with an extreme appearance and seriously impressive power.
This out-of-the-ordinary Javelin AMX offers 1,036 horsepower from a Wegner Motorsports 6.2-liter Hemi Mopar Hellcat engine, mated to a Bowler automatic transmission and a QA1 Carbon Fiber driveshaft. All of that power is stopped by upgraded six-piston caliper Baer brakes.
Recoil
Built on a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, “Recoil” maintains the classic muscle car aesthetic while upgrading the performance and overall build quality. It’s powered by a Wegner Motorsports LS7 with an LHS Block and Head, and boosted by a Whipple twin-screw supercharger to make an impressive 980 horsepower.
All of that power is supported by Bowler reworked TREMEC transmission, Roadster Shop suspension, and Baer 6S 6-piston front and rear brakes.
Future
“Future” is a reimagined 1971 Chevy K5 Blazer designed to be the perfect off-road build — though you may not want to scratch that perfect BASF Glasurit Waterborne Jaguar coat of paint.
Future gets its modest 430 hp from an LS3 6.2 L 376 ci with aluminum heads mated to a Bowler Tru-Street 4L80-E all mounted to a Roadster Shop 4WD Chassis with Fox 2.5 factory series coilovers with 10″ stroke on the front and rear.
Valkyrja
“Valkyrja” isn’t your average 1969 Chevy Camaro — and it doesn’t take popping the hood to see that. The body lines may maintain the same vibe as this ’60s American muscle car, but the build quality takes things up a notch.
This upgraded Camaro isn’t just nice to look at; it offers 890 horsepower from a Wegner 416 LS 3 and delivers that power to the wheels via a reworked Bowler 6-speed TREMEC transmission.
Clem 101
“Clem 101” may look like a really well sorted 1956 Ford F100 pickup, but it is far from a stock truck. While keeping the body lines and front fascia of the car notably similar to what you’d expect from an F100, Clem 101 is hiding some secrets under the repainted hood.
Loyal to the brand, Clem 101 is powered by a 5-liter Ford Coyote crate engine with a Vintage Air front runner system, Bowler 4-speed automatic 4R70W and QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft. All of that rides on a RideTech 4-link suspension and coil over springs and QA1 custom front sway bars with a John’s Industries 9″ rear end.
Ballistic
“Ballistic” is a seemingly more modest build based on a 1965 Ford Mustang, but that doesn’t discount the hundreds of hours that went into sorting this American pony car out.
The DSE Hydro Formed Front Subframe, combined with a 4-link rear suspension & front sway bars and RideTech shocks on all four corners, is a Ford 5.8-liter stock engine mated to a Bowler TREMEC T-56 Magnum 6-speed transmission, making this one of the more modest, yet still impressive and well-done builds from the team.
More Builds on the Horizon
With decades of showstopping craftsmanship behind them, the Ringbrothers are still full throttle, and there is no sign that they’re slowing down anytime soon. We are looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.