The Ringbrothers ‘Kingpin’ Mustang: 800 Horsepower of Modern Muscle Mastery

Among all the legendary names that have shaped American car culture, the Ford Mustang holds an irreplaceable place. Since its debut in 1964, it has represented freedom, rebellion, and raw performance, a symbol of speed that defined multiple generations. Yet, in the modern age, it takes true craftsmanship and vision to reinvent an icon without losing its soul. Enter the Ringbrothers — Mike and Jim Ring, two master builders from Wisconsin known for transforming classic cars into bespoke automotive art. For SEMA 2025, they unveiled their latest creation: the “Kingpin,” a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 restomod that stands as one of their most ambitious builds ever. With over 5,500 hours of hand-crafted engineering, an 800-horsepower supercharged V8, and design work that bridges the past and the future, the Kingpin isn’t just a car; it’s a masterpiece of metal and imagination. It’s what happens when nostalgia meets perfection — when American muscle grows up and takes the throne.

Building the “Final Boss” of Mustangs

According to co-owner Jim Ring, the concept behind the Kingpin was to design a car worthy of being driven by “the final boss in a John Wick film.” That creative direction explains much of the car’s sinister presence — the low, wide stance, the menacing bodywork, and the subtle green highlights that glimmer like a villain’s calling card. It’s not a flashy build; it’s one that demands quiet respect. The paint is a deep, obsidian black, applied with mirror-like precision. The only contrast comes from the green Kingpin emblems, featuring a chess king symbol replacing the letter “i,” a visual nod to dominance and control. Everything about this car feels intentional, purposeful, and sophisticated. Rather than exaggerating the Mach 1’s curves, the Ringbrothers chose to refine them. They widened the body by two inches up front and 3.5 inches at the rear, stretched the wheelbase by 1.5 inches, and reshaped each panel to achieve perfect symmetry. Kingpin’s proportions make it appear both vintage and futuristic — as if the 1969 Mustang evolved naturally into 2025 without missing a beat.

A Reinvented Chassis for Modern Performance

Under the bodywork, the Kingpin hides one of its most radical transformations. The original Mustang, built on a traditional body-on-frame setup, has been completely reengineered into a unibody structure — a decision that changes everything about how the car drives. This new foundation comes courtesy of Roadster Shop, a specialist in creating world-class performance chassis. The setup includes dual wishbone independent suspension at both ends and Fox RS single-adjustable coilovers that allow the Kingpin to corner and grip like a modern supercar. It’s not just an old muscle car with a big engine; it’s a complete performance machine. By pairing modern suspension geometry with classic proportions, the Ringbrothers have created a Mustang that can devour corners as confidently as it launches from a stoplight. Every weld and mount was carefully integrated to ensure rigidity and safety while maintaining balance and handling. Combined with the longer wheelbase and wider track, this reimagined chassis gives the Kingpin stability and poise that the original Mach 1 could only dream of.

Powering Perfection: The Wegner Motorsports Supercharged Coyote

No Ringbrothers build would be complete without a powertrain worthy of its presence, and the Kingpin delivers one of their most impressive combinations yet. Nestled beneath the sculpted carbon-fiber hood is a Wegner Motorsports 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8, augmented by a massive Whipple supercharger that lifts output beyond 800 horsepower. The setup maintains the heart of a Mustang but elevates it to a new realm of mechanical artistry. Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a Bowler six-speed manual transmission, ensuring an unfiltered, analog connection between driver and machine. Each gear shift is a statement — raw, tactile, and deeply satisfying. The engine bay itself is a showpiece: the custom “Kingpin” engine cover features a three-dimensional chess king, and every fluid cap and label is finished with the Ringbrothers’ trademark precision. Even the smallest details, like the playful yellow hand-drawn labels, inject personality into the car’s mechanical heart. Complementing the system is a Flowmaster Super 44 stainless steel exhaust that unleashes a deep, roaring note, perfectly balancing muscle car thunder with refined tone.

Exterior Design: Carbon Fiber and Controlled Aggression

From every angle, the Kingpin radiates restrained aggression — a masterclass in modern design infused with classic DNA. The use of carbon fiber throughout the exterior gives the car an unmistakable aura of sophistication and strength. The hood, grille surround, front splitter, side mirrors, and rear diffuser are all sculpted from lightweight carbon, meticulously integrated so they appear native to the car’s structure rather than tacked on. The widened fenders create a powerful stance, yet the lines remain organic and proportional. The taillights, though reminiscent of the Mustang’s iconic triple-bar design, are completely reimagined. These new pieces are 3D-printed and double as functional vents that release air captured through the ducts ahead of the rear wheels, blending design with aerodynamics. Green-accented Brembo brake calipers peek through HRE Vintage Series 517 wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires — a subtle flash of color against the car’s black silhouette. Everything from the wheel design to the diffuser placement reflects a singular design philosophy: precision over exaggeration, elegance over excess.

The Interior: A Blend of Luxury, Function, and Art

Stepping into the Kingpin’s cabin is like entering a custom-built cockpit that merges modern ergonomics with timeless craftsmanship. The interior is a black-on-black masterpiece, infused with subtle touches that elevate it from merely beautiful to unforgettable. The seats are trimmed in premium leather, with a black-and-white patterned stripe running through the center — a playful break in an otherwise dark aesthetic. The steering wheel, finished in crushed carbon fiber, features a green 12 o’clock marker that ties into the car’s external details. The dashboard is a fusion of modern technology and classic layout, highlighted by Dakota Digital gauges that blend analog style with digital precision. Every switch, vent, and trim piece has been either machined or 3D-printed, giving the interior a futuristic texture while maintaining a handcrafted feel. A Vintage Air system ensures comfort, while a hidden roll cage enhances safety and chassis rigidity without intruding into the design. Even the gearshift knob — a milled billet piece with a hint of green — serves as a small sculpture of engineering artistry. It’s an environment that feels tactile, cinematic, and unmistakably Ringbrothers.

A Soundtrack of Supercharged Fury

What truly completes the Kingpin experience is the sound. The combination of the Whipple supercharger’s high-pitched whine, the Coyote V8’s natural growl, and the Flowmaster Super 44 exhaust creates a symphony of controlled chaos. This isn’t the brash noise of an untamed drag car — it’s a calculated, deep-toned roar that feels both mechanical and organic. At idle, the car emits a subtle, rhythmic pulse that hints at the storm waiting beneath the hood. But once the throttle opens, the Kingpin’s voice transforms into a furious roar that could shake the walls of SEMA’s exhibition halls. Custom-built headers crafted by Ringbrothers ensure smooth flow and rich tone, adding a bespoke quality to the exhaust note. Every decibel reflects the attention to tuning and engineering detail that defines the project. It’s not just about volume; it’s about musicality — that perfect harmony between aggression and refinement that only a perfectly balanced V8 can deliver.

The Soul of Ringbrothers: Art Through Engineering

What separates the Ringbrothers from other custom builders is their philosophy. They don’t simply modify cars; they reinterpret them. Each creation is a balance between tradition and innovation, nostalgia and progress. The Kingpin perfectly embodies this ethos. While the build pays homage to the 1969 Mustang Mach 1, it pushes every boundary of what a restomod can be. It’s not an exercise in excess or ego; it’s a showcase of discipline and vision. Over 5,500 hours were poured into this car, from CAD design to final assembly, every step executed in-house by craftsmen who treat metal as a living material. The result isn’t just another show car — it’s a rolling sculpture that could just as easily belong in a museum as on a racetrack. Ringbrothers’ meticulous eye for detail, from panel alignment to paint depth, ensures that no corner was cut and no shortcut taken. Kingpin is not a product of mass production; it’s the product of passion and patience, a statement of what hand-built performance can truly achieve.

Mechanical Mastery and Modern Precision

Beyond its beautiful surfaces lies a mechanical package built for serious performance. The independent suspension setup ensures superior cornering, while the Fox RS coilovers allow adjustable ride quality for road or track use. The HRE wheels and Michelin tires provide extraordinary grip, enabling the Kingpin to fully exploit its 800-horsepower output. Braking performance is equally impressive thanks to the Brembo system — six-piston calipers upfront and four-piston units at the rear. Together, these systems transform the Kingpin from a straight-line missile into a genuine driver’s car. Every element works in harmony, from the precise gear shifts of the Bowler manual to the responsive steering rack tuned for agility. Despite its brute force, the Kingpin is remarkably composed, capable of devouring corners and maintaining balance at high speed. This harmony between power and control is where Ringbrothers’ true genius shines: the ability to fuse classic emotion with modern performance. It’s mechanical theater — every movement deliberate, every response precise, every sound pure adrenaline.

A Return to Roots, Elevated Beyond Expectation

Over the past few years, Ringbrothers have expanded their creative range, applying their signature craftsmanship to European classics like the Aston Martin DBS and even a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Yet, with the Kingpin, they’ve come home — back to the world of American muscle that first made them legends. It’s a return to form, but one that surpasses anything they’ve done before. This car represents the pinnacle of their philosophy: blending tradition with transformation. The Kingpin doesn’t simply replicate the past; it redefines it. It feels like the Mustang that Ford could build if there were no financial or regulatory limits — an expression of pure imagination brought to life through engineering. It’s both nostalgic and futuristic, a car that exists in two eras simultaneously. For enthusiasts, it serves as proof that true artistry still exists in the world of metal and gasoline. For the Ringbrothers, it’s another chapter in their legacy — a demonstration that even after decades of building, their creativity shows no signs of slowing down.

Kingpin: The Ultimate Mustang Restomod

When viewed as a whole, the Ringbrothers Kingpin is more than a car — it’s a vision realized in carbon fiber, steel, and horsepower. It is the culmination of countless hours of design, engineering, and artistry. Every component, from the unibody chassis to the custom lighting, serves a purpose and tells a story. Its aesthetic is refined yet ruthless, its power immense yet usable, and its craftsmanship second to none. At 800 horsepower, it’s a weapon on wheels; at rest, it’s a sculpture of speed. The Kingpin captures the essence of what makes the Mustang a cultural icon — freedom, strength, and individuality — but refines it for a modern world that demands both power and precision. In an era dominated by digital cars and electric silence, the Kingpin roars as a reminder of what driving passion truly feels like. It’s not just a restomod; it’s a resurrection — a symbol of what happens when artistry and machinery unite to create something timeless, terrifying, and unforgettable.