Car Features

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 

Carlos? He lived that nightmare. He even flirted with selling the project outright. But you don’t build a successful nightclub by giving up when things get tough. So he doubled down and went looking for a real pro. That’s when he found Simon at Old Mill Rod and Custom. Simon’s shop was packed, but instead of sending Carlos packing, he did the unthinkable—he referred him to a competitor. Enter Jacques from the West Coast, who was also slammed.

THE CHALLENGER THAT CHECKED A BOX 
For Richard Irwin, this ‘70 Dodge Challenger wasn’t just another car—it was another checkmark on the list of life’s hard-earned rewards. The man started with nothing and built himself a business that now fuels his passion for American muscle. While others collect watches or wine, Richard collects horsepower, and frankly, we approve of this vice 100 percent. 

Breaking It Down: The Build Process

Starting with the Foundation 

Photography by Stefan de Koker

By the 1970s, South African racing legend Willie Hepburn saw untapped potential in this compact cruiser. Lightweight? Check. Simple design? Check. Room under the hood for something mean? Absolutely. Hepburn turned the unassuming Nova into a dragstrip contender, wringing out every ounce of performance it had. The car made its mark on the South African racing scene, but by the mid-‘80s, it was ready for a new chapter. Enter Mick van Rensburg—the godfather of South African drag racing.