Brothers Mike and Jim Ring never bring a knife to a gunfight. In this case, they brought a 980bhp, cruise missile constructed out of aircraft-grade alloys and composites and covered in paint befitting a war machine. Say hello to their tuned and modified 1966 Chevy Chevelle.
Named “Recoil,” the ’66 Chevelle made its official debut in the Royal Purple booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, surrounded by some of the rarest, coolest and most powerful custom vehicles ever assembled.
“Recoil” is a departure for Ringbrothers, who usually build track-ready street cars – as it’s really a street capable track car, complete with a modern art, meets fighter jet cockpit, and a driver data centre complete with power and speed test data.
“Recoil” gets its muscle from a Whipple-supercharged Wegner Motorsports LS7 engine that outputs an astounding 980 horsepower. Special one-off fuel rail covers were precisely constructed for the Whipple supercharger to exactly match the design of the blower’s case. A Holley fuel injection system with an Aeromotive fuel cell and pump were installed to keep the 91 Octane fuel feeding this monster powerplant. Flowmaster mufflers enhance the roar of the engine, while Royal Purple XPR Extreme Performance Racing oil keeps the engine running at its maximum potential.
Power from the massive LS7 is harnessed by a Tremec T56 Magnum transmission, reworked by Bowler and filled with Royal Purple Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid. Finally, a Dynotech driveshaft sends nearly 1,000 horses to the John’s Industries Ford 35 Spline nine-inch rear end. Blimey!
Getting the Chevelle in motion are three-piece forged wheels called “Recoil,” a new model in the Ringbrothers’ wheel series from HRE that also made their debut at the SEMA Show. Measuring 9×19 front and an eye watering 13×20 at the rear, these custom rollers are shod with 275/35s and 345/30s respectively.
The interior of the Chevelle is completely race-ready and is designed with form over function in mind. The entire interior was fabricated by hand from sheet metal and several interior pieces, including the floor, door panels and seats, were meticulously hydro-dipped to match the carbon fibre found throughout the car. Five point racing harnesses keep you firmly planted in the custom crafted seats, while a Racepak gauge cluster in a custom Ringbrothers billet housing displays all of the information the driver needs to go fast while keeping tabs on the car’s vital signs.
“Recoil” is finished in a custom BASF Glasurit 90-Line Waterborne paint colour named “Sand Storm,” and is adorned with custom, hand-laid carbon fibre panels and trim pieces that show off the highly detailed fit and finish Ringbrothers are known for, including the bumpers, mirrors, hood, trunk and inner fenders.
This is the ultimate modern incarnation of the muscle car and we bloody love it!
TECH SPEC 1966 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
TUNING:
Wegner Motorsports Inc. LS7 980hp RHS block and head, Whipple twin-screw supercharger, Holley fuel injection system, reworked Tremec by Bowler transmission, John’s Industries 35 spline 9-inch Ford rear end, Dynotech drive shaft, Flowmaster header customised by Ringbrothers, Flowmaster stainless exhaust system, AFCO rad, SPAL fans, Ford steering rack and pinion with Ididit steering column.
CHASSIS:
9.5×19-inch front and 20×13-inch rear HRE Ringbrothers II rims, 275/35×19 front and 345/30×20 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, Roadster Shop C5 Corvette independent front suspension, 4-Link rear suspension and sway bars, AFCO shocks, front and rear Baer 6R 6-piston calipers.
EXTERIOR:
Resprayed in BASF Glasurit Waterborne Sand Storm by Global Finishing Solutions, AM Hot Rod glass tail lights.
INTERIOR:
Custom Ringbrother seats, Racepack gauges, Vintage Air a/c, Pioneer headunit, Kicker speakers and amps
THANKS:
Royal Purple, BASF, Glasurit, Flowmaster, Hurst, B&M, Aeromotive, AFCO, AM Hot Rod Glass, ARP Automotive Racing Products, Baer Brakes, Bowler Transmission, Dynamat, GFS – Global Finishing Solutions, Heat Shield Products, Holley, HRE Wheels, John’s Industries, Miller Welding, MSD, OPTIMA Battery, Racepack, Vintage Air, Wegner Motorsports Inc.
Words Kyle Hyatt – Photos Drew Phillips courtesy of Ring Brothers
