Car Features

The first time I spotted Naeem’s Amazon was at a Classic and Hot Rod show on the West Rand. Among the thundering V8s and glistening chrome, it stood out — not because it tried to, but because it didn’t have to. Everything about the build felt measured and mature. There were no gimmicks, no wild wings or overdone mods — just pure style. The Volvo’s original lines were respected, refined, and subtly sharpened.

Yep. It is.

And not just any Cord — one of the most groundbreaking, jaw-dropping, ahead-of-its-time machines ever to roll off American soil. Designed by Gordon Buehrig and launched by the Auburn Automobile Company at the 1935 New York Auto Show, the 810 Cord landed like a UFO in a world of boxy sedans. It was that far ahead of the curve.

Chevy’s 1948-1953 Series 3100 half-ton pickups are among the most iconic trucks ever built. These bull-nosed beauties ushered in a post-war redesign that set the standard for comfort and convenience. Wider doors, an expanded cab, and a newly introduced adjustable bench seat made these trucks more user-friendly than their predecessors. Under the hood, the early models came with a 216.5-cid six-cylinder engine, but by 1950, Chevy had upped the ante with the “105 Hi-Torque” 235.5-cid powerplant.

But dreams don’t die that easily.
Determined to honor her late husband’s passion, Cheryl Brickl vowed to see the Pantera fully restored. She took it to a local shop, hoping to bring Randy’s vision to life. A year later, the car still sat untouched. That’s when a friend pointed her toward Ringbrothers, the legendary Wisconsin-based custom builders known for their boundary-pushing craftsmanship. With a reputation for turning muscle car fantasies into reality, Jim and Mike Ring were the perfect duo for the job.

The Resurrection Begins
Finding a ’61 bubble top isn’t easy, especially in South Africa, where only a handful exist. That’s why this one was sourced off eBay, plucked from the dry Southwest, and shipped straight to Tim’s workshop in Arizona. The goal? A ground-up nut-and-bolt restoration, blending classic American style with modern muscle and precision engineering.

The journey began when Pieter Wentzel spotted the perfect split-window model after a two-year search. He teamed up with Ettiene from Street Rod Factory in Pretoria, and together they stripped the truck down to a bare shell. From there, it was a no-holds-barred, ground-up transformation. The chassis was boxed from front to back and fitted with adjustable coil-overs for the perfect stance, while the rear corners of the load bin were squared for a cleaner, more streamlined look.

Brad had acquired the Chevelle from Ray Exton with dreams of building a street beast, but cash flow issues saw those ambitions passed to Leonard. His only regret? Letting go of his beloved ’57 Chevy truck to fund the deal—though a new project has since softened the blow.

Under the decklid lies the heart of this road-going predator—a robust 351 Cleveland V8 that delivers a symphony of power with every throttle blip. Mated to an Audi 5-speed transmission, this combination provides a thrilling blend of brute force and precision engineering, putting you firmly in control of an automotive legend. It’s raw, it’s exhilarating, and it’s everything a true enthusiast craves.

Rewind to 2012: The Birth of a Legend