By Jeff Glucker
The aftermarket adventure that is SEMA is underway. There’s a ton of news, and it ranges from mild to far too wild. Somewhere in the middle is the entertaining and tasty meat. For example, that car in the photo above? It’s Dodge’s new Challenger Drag Pak. No you can’t drive it on the street and just 50 will be built and sold. But for those lucky few with the means and a desire to uncork a supercharged 5.8-liter V8, then 7.5-second quarter mile runs are in their future. Yes, that’s not a typo; this thing runs sevens!
Other great debuts include the Ford Bronco R Baja race truck prototype, a wicked electric Mustang, a well-built Nissan Frontier, and a stunner of an old Dodge truck.
Is there anything you’ve seen that has your attention? Sure there’s the usual slog of overdone vehicles, but there’s also some great news rolling out as well. Let us know what you’ve found.
Just because I have a friend that worked on it, the Bimmerworld/Optima Battery BMW E36 Pikes Peak car. It has insane ground effects and over 1000hp at the rear wheels. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7a47e7164549e8d551d97c4e843ecac7b28ee6e4e201554cd32c464833fd8748.jpg
I love the look of modern time-attack style aero
I love the look of modern time-attack style aero
I love the look of modern time-attack style aero
I like the Acadian Anvil.
https://www.classicarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/topphoto-special-view.jpg
I saw that at the Detroit Autorama this past summer. Very nice.
I saw that at the Detroit Autorama this past summer. Very nice.
The Ring Brothers ‘69 Mustang is pretty much the finest iteration of my restomod fantasies.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ringbrothers-1969-mustang-mach-1-project-revealed-sema-2019/
From Hotrod: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2b4d2cc28c50f521bd8a5d4e93c24690a27acfb940c6ff7d0050f8dd67bf596b.jpg
Ringbrothers consistently builds classy rides– regardless what they bring, you know it’s going to be worth ogling over. This ’69 is undeniably cool, but the graphics and color scheme just don’t push the right buttons for me (I rarely like black on blue). I’d be interested to see what they could do with a ’71-’73 Mustang– especially considering what they proved with the long-nosed Defiant Javelin– or even a Maverick. I’ve had a serious itch for an early Maverick recently.
My favorite RB Mustang build might be the Dragon from a several years back.
Ringbrothers consistently builds classy rides– regardless what they bring, you know it’s going to be worth ogling over. This ’69 is undeniably cool, but the graphics and color scheme just don’t push the right buttons for me (I rarely like black on blue). I’d be interested to see what they could do with a ’71-’73 Mustang– especially considering what they proved with the long-nosed Defiant Javelin– or even a Maverick. I’ve had a serious itch for an early Maverick recently.
My favorite RB Mustang build might be the Dragon from a several years back.
I looked past the graphics seeing them as an unfortunate necessity to get the project financed. I just sort of advertised Flowmaster on Hooniverse (sorry Jeff), so, I guess it works?
I looked past the graphics seeing them as an unfortunate necessity to get the project financed. I just sort of advertised Flowmaster on Hooniverse (sorry Jeff), so, I guess it works?
I’ve never seen them advertise so heavily on any of their builds before– perhaps it’s a new business strategy. They did put some modest Prestone graphics on their Javelin (and painted it a color reminiscent of the brand), but that car was specifically built for that company. Graphics or not, Ringbrothers is one of my favorite builders. Everything they turn out is phenomenal.
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/amv-prod-cad-assets/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Prestone-1972-AMC-Javelin-Defiant-112.jpg?resize=980:*
I have a ton of respect for the quality and craftsmanship of the Ring Brothers builds, but they frequently miss the aesthetic mark on some details for me. That aggressive, modern air dam on that Javelin is a good example. It feels out of character on a 70s muscle car.
I have a ton of respect for the quality and craftsmanship of the Ring Brothers builds, but they frequently miss the aesthetic mark on some details for me. That aggressive, modern air dam on that Javelin is a good example. It feels out of character on a 70s muscle car.
I agree with you completely regarding the Javelin. I was excited to see them build an AMC, but the direction was a bit out of character for Ringbrothers, and not as vintage-looking as I would have liked. Their cars typically have a cleaner, military-grade-precision vibe, but you’re right– that front air dam wouldn’t look out of place on a Civic Type R or a BMW M car. I’ve never cared for tall cowl induction hoods, either.
I agree with you completely regarding the Javelin. I was excited to see them build an AMC, but the direction was a bit out of character for Ringbrothers, and not as vintage-looking as I would have liked. Their cars typically have a cleaner, military-grade-precision vibe, but you’re right– that front air dam wouldn’t look out of place on a Civic Type R or a BMW M car. I’ve never cared for tall cowl induction hoods, either.
Thinking back to my days in the kit car world, I’m intrigued by the new V12 LS powered front mid engine “hypercar” chassis that Factory Five showed. This is supposed to be a replacement for their GTM and should have a full reveal next year.
https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_0773.jpg
Thinking back to my days in the kit car world, I’m intrigued by the new V12 LS powered front mid engine “hypercar” chassis that Factory Five showed. This is supposed to be a replacement for their GTM and should have a full reveal next year.
https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_0773.jpg
This video on the engine is worth a look, in case you were wondering about the on-paper ‘low’ output.
Of everything I’ve seen so far the Foose etype is most spictacular
https://d32c3oe4bky4k6.cloudfront.net/articles-videos/-/media/uscamediasite/images/story-images/2019/11/08/chip_foose_jaguar_e-type_sema_2019.ashx?modified=20191108215101&mw=1440&hash=C80EF02654357B47A892E33CB283329341A60442
As usual, Foose’s work is impeccable, but this car is completely handicapped by its roadster origins. In my opinion, it’s the fastback that gives the E-Type such a dramatic and dynamic look. I think if this had been a coupe, it would have been a jaw-dropper. Given what the team started with, though, I think the execution was outstanding with the exception of the hood scoop. It looks too much like that of the last Thunderbird, which is a design no one should want to emulate.
As usual, Foose’s work is impeccable, but this car is completely handicapped by its roadster origins. In my opinion, it’s the fastback that gives the E-Type such a dramatic and dynamic look. I think if this had been a coupe, it would have been a jaw-dropper. Given what the team started with, though, I think the execution was outstanding with the exception of the hood scoop. It looks too much like that of the last Thunderbird, which is a design no one should want to emulate.