Ringbrothers, the world-renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer, has unveiled its latest creation – a custom-built 1964.5 Ford Mustang convertible known as “CAGED.” The result is a modern appeal and unbridled performance mating the design of a 20th-century icon with the technology of the 21st. Born from an original 1964.5 Mustang convertible, nearly every component is a Ringbrothers-built one-off piece, with the only factory Mustang parts being the center caps for the wheels. The Ringbrothers team conducted extensive metalwork converting the Roadster Shop FAST TRACK chassis back into a unibody, as well as widening and lengthening the bodywork by one inch. The BASF Glasurit “Burgundy Brave” finish was then applied, and all the chrome and stainless-steel trim was treated with Cerakote Titanium C-105P.
“The client was highly involved in the process and adamant on maintaining a subtle, stock-like appearance. Everything was cued off the Mustang’s original design, but we sharpened the lines and added a number of 3D-printed details to make it truly unique,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring.
“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. 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. In all, more than 4,200 hours were invested in bringing ‘CAGED’ to life. It was our pleasure to once again work with our trusted partners BASF, Motul, GFS, Heat Shield Products, Miller Welding, Painless Wiring and others to bring this car to life,” said Ringbrothers co-founder Jim Ring.
The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobiles known as the pony cars. The Mustang’s styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition. It was initially introduced on April 17, 1964, as a hardtop and convertible with the fastback version put on sale in August 1964. At the time of its introduction, the Mustang, sharing its platform with the Falcon, was slotted into a compact car segment. With each revision, the Mustang saw an increase in overall dimensions and in engine power. The 1971 model saw a drastic redesign to its predecessors. After an initial surge, sales were steadily declining, as Ford began working on a new generation Mustang.
The design objective was to subtly evolve and modernize the original Mustang’s lines and proportions while honoring the aesthetic of Ford’s original pony car. The redesigned front grille is set back two inches and feeds air into a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V8 crate engine filled with Motul engine oil for protection and performance. The Coyote sings its tune thanks to custom-built headers by Ringbrothers and a Flowmaster exhaust system. Drive routes through Ford’s 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. The Mustang grips the tarmac thanks to a set of Continental tires wrapped around one-off 18-inch EVOD Industries wheels mirroring the style of the Mustang’s iconic Rally wheels. Handling comes courtesy of Penske Racing Shocks RS Edition performance coilovers front and rear, an independent rear suspension and a set of Baer Brakes for stopping power.
