The Ringbrothers, Mike and Jim Ring, have made quite a tradition at the SEMA Show each November of capturing the eye of show-goers with another of their over-the-top customs, and this year was no different. This time around, they pulled the wraps off of the 1965 Ford Mustang known as the “Espionage,” and while it’s likely to draw the ire of Ford purists, the level of one-off customization inside and out will certainly lead the Blue Oval brigade to lower their weapons in appreciation of what the world-renowned custom car builders and tuners have created this time around.
The Espionage is, first and foremost, a 1965 Mustang in spirit alone. While the frame is indeed borrowed from an original ’65 model vehicle, the body itself is manufactured entirely of carbon fiber; intended to display to the world the abilities of the Ringbrothers and promote the very parts and pieces on this car that are or will be available to the general public. In a further departure from the originality of the Mustang, under the hood rests not a small- or big-block Ford, but rather, a 416 cubic inch LS7 crate motor that, when paired with its 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger, produces an impressive 959 horsepower and 858 lb-ft of torque.
Ringbrothers backs the power up with a T56 Tremec six-speed transmission that moves through a QA1 carbon driveshaft to a Detroit Speed rearend housing.
The Mustang gained its name, Espionage, from its unique Spy Green Glasurit waterborne BASF color scheme, and from the Ringbrothers’ not-so-sneaky use of carbon fiber and a Chevrolet engine. The Ringbrothers added a wide-body kit that’s four inches wider overall than stock, along with a host of billet aluminum trim goodies, and HRE wheels (18-inch in the front and 19-inch in the rear) to create a menacing look befitting of the entirely custom nature of what rests within.
You’ll notice a lack of chrome anywhere on the car, with carbon fiber, powder-coated, and brushed aluminum used in the trim; including the side mirrors, exterior door handles, and window trim.
NITTO Tires, Baer Extreme brakes, and a complete Detroit Speed suspension system (Aluma-Frame up front and QUADRALink in the rear with a sway bar) with JRi shocks complete the running package.
The interior combines nostalgia and contemporary in a most spectacular way, with touches in the door panels and dash that exude the classic styling of the 1960’s Mustang, with billet aluminum trim and components throughout, from the pedals to the door handles and custom-machined, signature rocker covers. Recaro race seats provide the race-inspired yet old-school look, as well. The car even features a Racepak IQ3 dash in place of the factory gauge cluster, giving it another of its ultra-modern, high-tech touches.
The Espionage Mustang was one of the most talked-about pieces at the SEMA Show this year — completely expected of anything the Ringbrothers have a part of —and it’s already received widespread attention outside of the show, as car aficionado Jay Leno took it for a spin on his television show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.”