Meet CAPTIV: A Ring Brothers Dodge Charger Restomod


Some say to restore a car to its former glory, it must be original to considered relevant. Others prefer the look without the inconvenience of aging parts, outdated technology, and questionable reliability. Ringbrothers is an American custom car builder and parts manufacturer in Wisconsin, know for stunning “restomods.” Their latest project is a custom 1969 Dodge Charger known as “CAPTIV.”  Have a look at some of their previous projects HERE.

The Charger makes an impressive yet “streetable” 707 horsepower (520kw) from its Mopar Hellcat crate engine. The Hellcat puts the power to the ground through a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, and was built for New Zealand-based Greg Murphy.

Above: RINGBROTHERS UNVEILS CUSTOM 1969 DODGE CHARGER

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ABOVE: RINGBROTHERS UNVEILS CUSTOM 1969 DODGE CHARGER

Production began in New Zealand as a team took the Charger apart to prepare it for restoration. The disenabled was then shipped to Ringbrothers who continued the project for Murphy’s much-loved vison. Ringbrothers extensively reworked the body, making the Charger unibody in the process.

Other details include: a Flowmaster exhaust system, a custom BASF “Pile Up Yellow” paint job, a Hellcat crate engine using Motul engine oil, custom HRE wheels, a QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft, adjustable shocks, Baer six-piston brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres,  top-of-the-line MoTeC engine management system and gauges.

“This project has been years in the making,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “The project was started more than 8,000 miles from where it was finished with work being carried out on either side of the Pacific. Greg and his team did phenomenal work before it came here, and it was a joy to work on such an amazing build together.”

“This marks the second time this car was built in America, first in Detroit in 1969 and now in Spring Green, Wisconsin in 2021,” Mike continued. “We couldn’t have pulled this off without the help of our partners at Motul, Holley, BASF, HRE Wheels, GFS, and so many more.”

Many Ringbrothers billet parts were used in the project including a custom Ringbrothers steering wheel. This is part of a new line of steering wheels using the latest in materials technology, including a 3D-printed horn button, carbon fiber hoops and billet aluminum spokes and hub. Billet parts are fashioned from a single piece of aluminium rather than being formed in a mould from molten metal.

Ringbrothers has billet aluminum parts  for sale to owners who want to customize their own Charger.

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Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.


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