Aurelia Butler

Ringbrothers, a Wisconsin-based custom car builder, revealed this beautiful 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, which has a 640-hp General Motors LT4 supercharged V-8 under the hood.The company’s second show car is a stunning burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, complete with a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine producing 460 hp.The most powerful creation was the 1969 Dodge Charger, which was fitted with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine built in limited quantities by Mopar.Each year, Wisconsin-based hot-rodders Ringbrothers brings a slew of modified American metal to the SEMA show, but for 2023 they cooked up something different. The custom car builder pulled the covers off “Paramount” yesterday, a gleaming 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II with an American heart.RingbrothersUnlike some of the company’s other creations, with this one Paramount keeps a traditional look. While the original bodywork was stripped to the bare metal to remove any imperfections before being repainted a pristine shade of white, the design was left mostly untouched. “They’re iconic and you don’t have to change things just to change it,” co-founder Mike Ring told Car and Driver. Plus, Ring said, the buyer who commissioned Paramount was already in love with the swooping, elegant styling.RingbrothersThings are different, however, under the skin. While the V-8 engine is still a 6.2-liter unit—like the original Rolls-Royce powertrain—it is now a General Motors–sourced supercharged LT4 pumping out 640 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque. This beefy motor is hooked up to a Bowler Tru-Street 10-speed automatic gearbox and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The decision to stick an American motor into this British behemoth was easy. “We know people in GM,” Mike Ring said. If any issues arise, help is just a phone call away.Jim Ring, Mike’s brother and co-founder of the company, attested to Paramount’s performance credentials. “When you see this car go down the road, you think to yourself, this thing shouldn’t be doing what it’s doing,” he said. They drag raced it against the customer’s new Phantom, and it wasn’t even close. “It just squats and launches.” The Rolls-Royce weighs about 4800 pounds and the body rests on a custom chassis with Fox RS SV coilovers at all four corners. The 18-inch EVOD Industries wheels are shod in Falken Azenis tires and, like on modern Rolls-Royces, the gyro wheel center caps keep the logo facing right side up as the car moves.RingbrothersInside, the wooden dashboard keeps the original layout but gains modern looking gauges and machined billet switch gear. Ringbrothers also fitted a “starlight” headliner, a popular option seen on modern Rolls-Royces. Ringbrothers’ aftermarket version sees over 1000 LED lights hand-sewn into the ceiling. Ringbrothers also freed up more space inside. The original Silver Cloud featured a glass divider at the B-pillar, separating the chauffeur from the passengers.”There was no room,” Mike Ring explained. “You had to be a jockey to drive it.” To give the owner more space Ringbrothers ditched the divider, allowing the front bench seat—which came out of a 1957 Chevrolet—to be shifted rearwards. But the modifiers didn’t forget about the rear passengers, refitting the fold-down tables onto the Chevy-sourced seat’s back.RingbrothersIf you bleed red, white, and blue, don’t worry, because Ringbrothers still brought two American builds to this year’s show. This resplendent burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is nicknamed “Uncaged,” a follow up to the “Caged” Mustang that Ringbrothers created last year. Unlike the Rolls, which retained the original body, the only original part on Uncaged are the wheel center caps. RingbrothersThe changes to the body aren’t obvious, but this ‘Stang is an inch wider on each side and has redesigned fenders, a custom front bumper, and sleeker side scoops. Modern LEDs have found their way into the classic three-stripe taillights, and even the Mustang logos are restyled with a chiseled, 3D look. The front grille sits two inches deeper, allowing air to reach a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine generating 460 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque, linked to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. “It’s so smooth, it feels like a brand new car,” Mike Ring said.RingbrothersThe Mustang rolls on 18-inch wheels from EVOD Industries, wearing Continental tires and hooked up an independent rear suspension and coilovers from Penske Racing Shocks. The cabin is upholstered in lush leather with brushed metal accents and is full of intricate touches like the bespoke steering wheel and latticework window cranks. RingbrothersThe second American creation is dubbed “Tusk,” a 1969 Dodge Charger that has been completely reengineered with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine from Mopar. Just 100 units of that 7.0-liter supercharged V-8 were built, and the motor sends 950 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual and carbon-fiber driveshaft. More carbon appears on the two-piece hood, and the motor is shifted 2.5 inches rearwards versus the original’s placement to improve the weight distribution. RingbrothersThe Tusk is heavily restyled, with custom front and rear bumpers, a unique chin spoiler, lower rocker panels, and a carbon-fiber grille surround, giving it a low, sleek, and mean look. Gold accents pop against the black paint, particularly the HRE wheels that wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and are attached to Fox RS SV coilovers. The front wheels have actually been shifted forward by two inches, with the extended wheelbase said to improve handling, and the Charger rides on a custom chassis. The cabin is decked out in carbon fiber and features a custom “pistol grip” shifter, a new steering wheel, and modern dials. RingbrothersAll of Ringbrothers’ vehicles are commissioned by the owners, although the hot-rodders are pretty much given free rein over how they approach the build. While Mike and Jim Ring told Car and Driver that they tend to stick with what they know—classic American muscle—the Rolls-Royce process certainly expanded their horizons. “We’re working on a 1971 Aston Martin DBS next,” Mike said, and revealed that there was lots of interest in doing more Rolls-Royces. We can’t wait to see what Ringbrothers cooks up for next year’s SEMA show.More Beastly SEMA CarsAssociate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The Zeekr CM1e, a minivan-like EV, could be Waymo’s next autonomous taxi.The prototype has no B-pillar and dual sliding doors that open from the middle.Along with an 87-mph top speed, Zeeker claims the CM1e’s single rear motor will propel it from zero to 62 mph in 8 seconds.Zeekr is a yet another EV brand under China’s Geely, whose portfolio also includes Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Lynk & Co. Although Zeekr has recently expanded to Europe with its 001 mid-size hatchback, 009 minivan, and X entry-level EV, Americans are most likely to encounter a Zeekr by hailing a ride in this, the CM1e. Prototypes of this concept proposal are being submitted to Waymo as its next autonomous taxi. See the CM1eDesigned in Sweden, the CM1e is expressly intended for this purpose. It features center-opening dual sliding doors on both sides, and there’s no B-pillar. The step-in height is low despite the 92-kW battery pack housed underneath, and the floor is covered with a rubberized material. The two front seats feature fold-down armrests, behind them is a three-passenger rear seat. The seats and dash are upholstered in a wool-like recycled material, Econyl, which is made from ocean waste (chiefly fishing nets). Two pods on the dash each house an airbag, and between them sits a Waymo-supplied display screen. Joe Lorio|Car and DriverA rear liftgate provides access to the luggage compartment, below which a single rear motor is located.Joe Lorio|Car and DriverJoe Lorio|Car and Driver Zeekr claiming a 0-to-62-mph time of approximately 8 seconds and a top speed of 87 mph. The CM1e concept does not have a steering wheel, but until that setup is permitted by local regulations, a production version would be equipped with one; steering and braking are by-wire. All the self-driving hardware is by Waymo. Joe Lorio|Car and DriverJoe Lorio|Car and DriverShould Waymo accept this proposal, it would own and operate the vehicles, and Zeekr would build them. Zeekr says it plans to submit its CM1e prototypes to Waymo by the end of the year, but there’s no stated timeframe for when we might see them in service. Related StoriesThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

Three unusual rides were brought to the 2023 SEMA show by Japanese oil company Eneos, including a 1969 Jaguar E-type powered by the Toyota Supra’s famous 2JZ-GTE engine.The 2003 Nissan 350Z also has an odd engine swap, packing two Honda K24 engines and two Honda five-speed manual gearboxes.Lastly, Eneos showed off a Toyota Land Cruiser truck, built off a 1997 model but using a 2009 pickup body imported from the Middle East.Japanese oil company Eneos brought a trio of unusual builds to this year’s SEMA show. Along with a sleek blue 1969 Jaguar XK-E 2+2 that has a 2JZ-GTE inline-six heart transplant from a Toyota Supra, the company also presented a barely recognizable 2003 Nissan 350Z powered by a pair of Honda K24 engines and a towering Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. ENEOSThe unorthodox Jaguar was built by drifter Faruk Kugay. The 2JZ inline-six has been highly modified with a new head casting, fuel system, fuel injectors, pistons and rods, and a Borg Warner turbocharger with a performance intercooler. Add in an ECU tune, and Eneos says the 3.0-liter motor should churn out around 750 horsepower. To make things even stranger, the E-type is fitted with the rear subframe, suspension, and differential from an E60 BMW 5-series. All of that power is routed through a ZF five-speed manual transmission out of an E36 BMW M3. To make the most of that power, the 17.0-inch Rotiform STL wheels wear Bridgestone Potenza RE-71 RS tires. To fit those rollers, the XK-E wears wider 3-D-printed carbon-fiber-reinforced fenders that give the Jag an assertive stance, apparently inspired by the factory Jaguar Lightweight E-type. Caleb Miller|Car and DriverEven wilder than the Jaguar is this 2003 Nissan 350Z, built by Ashley Robinson from MLZ Garage. Not much remains of the original car that Robinson bought for $800, with the rear end—damaged when he purchased it—completely removed in favor of a roll cage. Nestled among the metal bars is a turbocharged Honda K24 four-cylinder hooked up to a Honda EP3 five-speed manual. At the front of the Nissan is the exact same setup—yes, not only are there two engines, but also two manual gearboxes. Somehow, Robinson managed to sync the two powertrains.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverThe Nissan’s looks are nearly as crazy as its mechanicals, with ultrawide fender flares, the exposed roll cage at the rear, and 19.0-inch Weds LXZ wheels. The Kumho tires measure 305/30 at the front and 355/30 around back, with stopping power provided by Brembo front calipers off of a Hyundai Genesis and dual 350Z rear calipers. Robinson’s build sits on air suspension, and the doors and hood (removed for the show) are fashioned from carbon fiber.ENEOSLast but not least is the beastly 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. California-based RPM Off-Road Garage cobbled this truck together from a damaged ’97 Land Cruiser FZJ80 and a 2009 HZJ79 pickup body, which came from Utah’s Land Cruiser Heritage Museum and had been imported from the Middle East, where these old-school trucks are still offered new. The original ’97 frame was extended by 18 inches before the truck body was mounted. Under the hood is a 4.5-liter Toyota 1FZ-FE inline-six. Colossal 37-inch Toyo Open Country M/T tires sit on 17.0-inch beadlock wheels, with new springs providing an imposing 6.0-inch lift. The Land Cruiser build may not be as absurd as the other two vehicles Eneos presented, but it’s still one eye-catching rig.More Cool SEMA CreationsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Dodge will sell the Challenger SRT Demon 170’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 as crate engines through Direct Connection. Called the Hellephant C170, the fully assembled engine costs $27,695 and will be available early next year.The 2023 Challenger Demon 170 was an ethanol-fueled street-legal dragster with up to 1025 horsepower and priced at $100K.We waved goodbye to Dodge’s outrageous Hellcat-powered muscle cars last year, with the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 representing the ultimate expression of their incredible power figures. With a tank full of E85 gasoline, the street-legal dragster’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 generated an otherworldly 1025 horsepower and pound-feet of torque. That same engine will soon be available through Direct Connection, the home of Dodge’s factory-backed performance parts, as the Hellephant C170.Demon 170 Crate Engine While the Challenger Demon 170 had a starting price just over $100,000, with U.S. production limited to 3000 units, the fully assembled crate engine costs about a quarter of that. Priced at $27,695, the C170 Long Block comes with the 3.0-liter supercharger and improved intercooler, according to Dodge. Along with a larger snout and bigger pulley for boosted boost, there’s a 105mm throttle body with a new housing, blade, shaft, and geartrain.A version of the C170 without the supercharger and other bits mentioned will be available for $18,995. They will go on sale sometime in the early part of next year and will be joined by several other long-block crate engines. Among them are the Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye engines, good for 717 and 807 horses, respectively.Extra Demon 170 ReadingThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Toyota is bringing back the Tacoma X-Runner—well, in concept form at least. The concept truck sits on a widened track and features a lowered suspension.The truck is powered by a modified version of the larger Tundra’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6, which produces 421 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque.Toyota likes to emphasize the off-road chops of its Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, but this decidedly street-oriented concept truck caught our eye at the 2023 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Toyota brought back the X-Runner name from the past and applied it to a 2024 Tacoma sport-truck concept with a lowered suspension and extra power, among other modifications.ToyotaThe Tacoma X-Runner concept features a version of the larger Tundra’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine. The engine produces 421 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in this application—a big increase over the 2024 Tacoma’s most powerful setup, a 326-hp four-cylinder hybrid. A solid axle from the Tundra with a 4.30:1 final drive and an electronic locking differential splits torque to the rear wheels. The exhaust pipe now routes to just below the rocker panel on the side of the truck. ToyotaUnder the amped-up bodywork, you’ll find the air suspension from the Tundra that Toyota says helps the Tacoma ride at a lower height while still being able to carry a load. The team behind the truck also customized the length of the control arms due to the lowered stance of the Tacoma. Toyota also strengthened the frame and widened the track width of the car by roughly three inches. The springs are stiffer and 2.5-inch Bilstein shocks are found at each corner. The truck rides on a set of Lacks Enterprises 21-inch carbon-fiber wheels with forged aluminum centers on Michelin 285/45R21 Sport Tires.The display truck is finished in the same Speedway Blue as the original Tacoma X-Runner that debuted at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. We don’t know if that hints at a production version of this truck with a similar performance package, but we would be excited to see something like this hit the streets in the near future.More SEMA BuildsAssociate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More