When Ringbrothers announces a new project, you pay attention. Doesn’t matter if they’d turned their hand to kids' toys or garden machinery, if it involves the brothers Ring then it’s going to be awesome. There have simply been too many spectacular builds, from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to the Chevy Blazer, for anything less to be expected. Or delivered, for that matter. And happily Ringbrothers hasn’t diversified just yet - it’s still making the most incredible muscle car reimaginations possible. This time it’s a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, a true hero of the genre, which has now become - in no small part thanks to 800hp - Ringbrothers ‘Infectd’ build.
It’s reckoned that 5,600 hours have gone into this build, and honestly it’s a wonder they completed it in so little time looking over it. Every single bit of Infectd is flawless, from the ‘Pink Eye’ paint - a nod to the classic Mopar hues, and referencing what’s under the bonnet - to the upholstery of the boot to the instrument cluster (note the tacho goes pink near maximum revs, rather than red). Even if these cars were merely cosmetic exercises, a demonstration of what can now be done with paint, leather, carbon fibre and aluminium, the Ringbrothers cars would be cool. It’s the backing up by A-grade engineering that makes them truly special.
Infectd is powered by an exquisitely installed - look at that engine bay! - Hellcrate Redeye engine. Or, for those that don’t speak muscle car, that’s the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that powered the senior Hellcat Challengers and Chargers. Meaning it’s rated at 807hp, rather than the poxy 707hp of standard models, as well as boasting 717lb ft. The entire exhaust system is Ringbrothers own design. And there’s a manual gearbox, all that muscle reaching the rear rubber via a six-speed Tremec TR-6060 transmission with Tilton clutch and Wavetrac diff. Check out the reworked pistol grip lever, too, for a proper taste of the old days.
While the Infectd may look like a lovingly restored Plymouth Barracuda (to some extent it is), there are some very significant changes under the skin. It’s now underpinned by something called a Custom Roadster Shop 68-70 Charger Fast Track Stage III chassis (that’s what it says here), further modified to accept a torque tube from a C6 Corvette. It means that this ‘Cuda has a longer wheelbase than standard, the front wheel now 1.5 inches further forward; the front wings are shorter, the grille wider, the bumpers tucked for maximum impact. That’s in addition to a host of custom parts, too, including bumper guards and a grille surround milled from one bit of billet, a new diffuser and totally bespoke floors. That carbon bonnet is a one-off, too. Clearly money was no object.
Helping keep that power on track are Fox RS SV coilovers at all corners, new anti-roll bars, a custom steering rack and a burly Baer Brakes setup, with 14-inch discs and six-piston calipers. Tyres are the kind of size that would have been unimaginable in 1970: 285/30R20 up front, 335/30ZR21 behind, Michelin Cup 2s at every corner. And yes, they really are now rear 21s, wrapped around HRE wheels - quite a different Barracuda these days. Arguably the inside is no less incredible, with white leather throughout, bespoke instruments and a new climate control system. There’s Apple CarPlay, like any good restomod must have (this is probably stretching that term to breaking point), complete with JL Audio 10-inch subs. A cage has been integrated into Infectd as well, and for those who want a taste of this car in their Plymouth can get the steering wheel, as that’s an off-the-shelf Ringbrothers item. It’s called The Murph, it’s carbon, and it’s three thousand bucks. So just imagine what went into the whole car.
“Infectd was shaped by the theatrics and joyful nature of classic Mopars, with the added benefit of modern performance”, added Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring (you can say that again). “This car is a celebration of vibrant colour, design, detail, and, of course, performance. This build provides an opportunity to showcase how cutting-edge building techniques up the ante and enhances classic American muscle.” Amen to that. And while normally something like Infectd would steal the SEMA show for one year, there’s more where it came from on the way from Ringbrothers. Check back in a couple of hours…
1 / 15
