I found it odd that despite the '68 T/A car's significant racing history, including Trans-Am, 24 hrs. of Daytona, etc., they chose to represent it as a "way cool autocross Mustang". Did they think that this would appeal to a wider, younger audience or something? I'm sure the car has gotten sideways in some corners before -- what's next, "X-treme Drift 'Stang"?????
I cancelled a number of Mustang mags over the years, but i find myself picking up news stand issues often enough to warrant a subscription. Guess I have no self-control...LOL. Also wanted to mention, some of my comments here may come off a bit harsh, I do not want to cast any aspursions against the Ring brothers. I am sure they are nice guys, and their talnet is simply amazing. My comments were offered merely as personal opinion and in the spirit of a critique, not intending to bash anyone's car or tastes. My tastes are such that I greatly prefer the cars our local heroes (Reen and Bob) are building, they just keep the Mustang look and heritage more alive, and that is my preference. But I have to admit I've been not only a fan but disgustingly envious of Jay for about 25 years, ever since I first saw the mods he made to his 67-GT500, his "high school daily driver" back then...now that I think about it more I am not a fan...I HATE HIM! LOL
Don't worry. I'm guessing, if he had a GT500 for a daily driver in HS and SOLD it, Jay hates Jay too.
I really don't get whatever it is that attracts magazines to the Ring Brothers. I personally think their cars show a lot of workmanship, but absolutley horrid taste. I saw the fastback in Hot Rod a couple issues back and didn't see one thing I liked. The car looks like they really don't have a theme at all, they just keep throwing crap at it until they run out of stuff to bolt on. For example look at the fender vents in the front fenders. WTF? Is it a Beemer? The HR article said the car had trans coolers in the roof vents, bet those were a trick to plumb, couldn't they think of a dumber location? That CF taillight panel is just plain old, high school gaudy. I like the look of carbon fiber, but for Pete's sake, make it functional! Carbon fiber valve covers? You bet. Carbon fiber gauge insert? Looks cool. Carbon fiber steering wheel? OK. But to simply plaster a slab of CF on the car for the sake of carbon fiber? Puuleeeze. Why not just get some of that cool carbon fiber tape that's soooo popular with the Civic bunch? I swear the only thing that looks goofier than the Ring's fastback is the Ring's red convertible of a couple years back. It looks like the accessory aisle at Kragen to me...
And don't even get me started on the e-mail response I got about their hinge prices through Mustangs Plus.
But the ALL TIME WORST was putting those HUGE headlamps into the 'vert that they built. Looks like the car has hyperthyroidism w/ full bugeyes! They do good work...but I too am not thrilled w/ their taste on all that they do. None-the-less, I am quite pleased to see more RestoMod cars. Back when I started messing around with my 'vert in '79, there were no aftermarket parts that suited my needs, and other Mustang people thought I was the antichrist for not doing a traditional restoration. Times change. Their biggest problem is building wimpy engines. I would be tickled to have my vert get some magazine coverage, and the goal of 800+ rwhp certainly trumps all of these other builds.
I agree, quality work, ugly car. it almost seems as if they're trying to get the car featured in the next fast and the furious movie.................. ok that may be a little harsh, but still, the mods were just tacky. If any of them served a purpose other than to look trendy then i might be a little happier.
