Ringbrothers was born from the idea of Jim and Mike Ring, two brothers from Plain, Wisconsin, who managed to turn their hobby and passion into an award-winning business.
Ringbrothers build and modify cars that often participate in the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, and they even managed to take home first place at last fall's Last Vegas show.
Ringbrothers are one of those rare car builders whose passion and love for automobiles allowed them to turn ordinary vehicles into modified works of art. And here are 10 awesome Ford Mustangs who have received that very same treatment.
10 The 65 Mustang “Espionage”
The 1965 Ford Mustang is the first generation of its kind, from 1964 until 1973. It is a pony car: an affordable coupé or convertible with a sporty look. The Espionage version made by Ringbrothers is even more stunning, all-carbon-fiber. The two brothers took a Fastback and turned it into a greater Fastback model by widening it by two inches on each side. The color is just as unique, and so is its name: “Spy Green” is the BASF Glasurit 90-Line Waterborne paint.
The color is perfect for a spy, indeed, and so is the engine: a Wegner Motorsports 427 cubic inch LS7 with a Whipple supercharger. The Espionage is ready for a high-speed chase. More mechanical and technical details of the car include a 6-Speed Tremec T-56 transmission, forged wheels from HRE wrapped in Nitto Invo tires, and Flowmaster Super 44 Mufflers.
9 The Splitr
This Mustang is a 1967 model, only modified and jaw-dropping. Ringbrothers’ Mustang is powerful, thanks to its naturally aspirated 7.0-liter Ford Racing crate engine modified by Wegner Motorsports. And it is lightweight, thanks to the carbon-fiber hood. The American brothers replaced the Mustang’s classic chrome bumper with a construction that incorporates large air intakes. Space for the car’s new wheels was created by trimming the bottoms and flaring the arches by 1.5 inches.
Inside, Ringbrothers turned the Mustang into a modern vehicle, featuring a Kenwood stereo (with JL speakers and amplifier), Recaro front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The paint is the final touch that makes the Splitr stylish, especially thanks to the red "splitr” lettering just above the side skirts.
8 The Blizzard
Dominick and Becky Farbo commissioned this customized Mustang to the brothers, who did their magic, turning the car into a first. “This is the first car we’ve built with carbon-fiber doors. We now offer these ’65-’66 doors made of carbon fiber for those who would like to have them on their own builds,” Mike from Ringbrothers said to Mustang and Fords. But the doors are not the only carbon-fiber feature in the Blizzard. So are the hood, roof, trunk lid, rear bumper, rear end caps, and side scoops. The car’s engine is the 427 Windsor with a custom air cleaner and induction setup.
The interiors include Recaro seats, a MOMO steering wheel, and Alpine sound equipment.“We’re really about keeping a lot of what Ford did on the ’65-’66 design, but we updated it and made it a little bit, well, more modern. We did, however, eliminate all the pinch welds throughout the body,” Mike said to Mustang and Fords.
7 The Bail Out
This 1966 Ford Mustang features a Keith Craft Performance Engines–built 427ci engine with 600hp. The vehicle’s transmission is a Bowler Performance T-56 6-Speed transmission, while the Bail Out has a modified NASCAR-style Woodward steering rack. The wheels are Forgeline WC3, the tires are BF Goodrich g-Force KDW, and the paint is BASF Glasurit Waterborne.
Ringbrothers reported that it took 3000 hours to build the Mustang, which has a carbon-fiber roof, trunk, and hood. In 2016, the Bailout went on sale on eBay, for $229,000.
6 The Reactor
Doug Hoppe commissioned this Mustang to Ringbrothers, saying that he wanted a used-car look, but in a brand new vehicle. Ringbrothers hired designer Sean Smith to help with the Reactor. “We tried to be innovative," Smith said to Mustang and Ford, "and keep the same shape of the fastback to make it kind of have that Euro look, what you'd find in a high-end sports car.” The engine is a Roush 427-IR and the transmission is a Tremec TKO-600 five-speed manual. The wheels are I-forged flux and the brakes are Baer six-piston caliper.
The stylish interiors feature Flaming River steering colum, a Sony stereo, and a Speedglass windshield. Inspiration for the name Reactor came from the idea of giving the car a mechanical and industrial name.
5 The Dragon
The interior of this Mustang is inspired by the Ford GT, thanks to the wrapped interior, billet accents, and Recaro seats. The Dragon’s engine is a Rush 427 IR, lubricated by an external oiler system with custom oil cooler. The transmission is a TKO 5-speed and the wheels are custom Forgeline. The paint is a custom BASF “Dragon’s Blood Red” with “Castle Gray” accents, made to impress.
The Dragon is an award-winner, some of them include: the 2010 SEMA Mothers Shine Award, 2011 Hot Rod & Restoration Golden Builder Award, and it was a 2011 Goodguys Street Machine of the Year Finalist.
4 The Unkl
Based off the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, this modified car by Ringbrothers features an electric blue color and the circle, black number 7. It has a widened body that is one inch longer than the original on each side, giving the Mach a more aggressive look. The engine is an 8.5-liter V8 and it produces 700 hp. The six-speed manual transmission, via a carbon-fiber driveshaft, sends power to the rear wheels.
The wheels, which are 19- and 20-inch HRE wheels, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The exterior is made from carbon fiber and steel panels, a stylish modification by Ringbrothers. The signature paint is called, appropriately, “Big Boss Blue” and the curious name is a homage to family.
3 The Copperback
This is a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback powered by a Rousch 427 IR engine. The manual transmission is a Tremec five-speed and the brakes are Baer 6S. The tires are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar while working on the trunk alone took 400 hours. The car’s body panels are carbon-fiber and so are the trunk and hood (a Gemini Technology Systems). Inside, the Copperback features Recaro bucket seats, with trimmed in brown and black leather. More leather is on the door panels, dash, and steering wheel. In August 2020, the Copperback was put on auction.
Bidding started at $100,000 and in three days it reached $128,000, and one week before the auction closed, the bid reached $135,000. Finally, the Copper Burnt Orange Metallic, Copperback Mustang was sold for $265,000.
2 The Kona
This is a 1965 Mustang Fastback built in 2005 by Ringbrothers. It is the brothers' third creation and it was an instant success at the 8th Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, where it was first revealed. One reviewer wrote: “Not too bad; another top-five pick for a couple guys with a body shop who are not car builders."
The engine is a Roush 402R with 500-plus horsepower and the transmission is a Performance Automatic C4. The wheels are SSR, an exclusive through Tire Rack and the steering wheel is a Waterfall. The length and width of the front bumper were cut down, while the taillamp panel is carbon-fiber. In 2014, the Kona was sold for $$148,500, a fair price for the Mustang that, always in 2014, won the Street Machine of the Year award.
1 The Producer
This 1965 Mustang Fastback won the Best of Show Corporate Design Award during SEMA. Ringbrothers widened the body by two inches on each side, which is why the brothers added the "65+4" emblem on the rear panel. The engine is a Keith Craft 427 with 740hp. “It requires 110-octane fuel," Ringbrothers said to Mustang and Fords, “but it runs hard. We've built a lot of Mustangs and this is the scariest one I've been in."
The audio system is just as scary, featuring a Sony CD head unit with Kicker speakers and amplifiers. The wheels are also custom-made Forgeline and the transmission is a Tremec T-56 six-speed. “We always try to out-do what we've done before,” Ringbrothers said to Mustang and Fords. And they always succeed.
Ringbrothers built a business out of their passion and hobby and their drive is visible in their creations. Their Ford Mustangs are award-winners and gorgeous, stylish, modified vehicles. The brothers’ Instagram is both a source of inspiration and awe. A must follow.