BOLD RIDE
In movie history, the Ford Mustang fastback has traditionally been the hero’s car—think Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds (both of them), even Need for Speed. The rationale makes sense. It’s a gorgeous design, a potent performer, heck who wouldn’t want the Mustang to win?
Based on a ’65 Mustang fastback, the car made its big debut at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but according to brothers Jim and Mike Ring, it was no easy task to pull off. Each one of the Mustang’s sleek body panels are made entirely of carbon fiber, and all are far from mere copies of the original fastback, making it one of the Ringbrothers’ toughest builds ever.
Instead of re-bodying the Ford Mustang, the Ringbrothers widened the fastback’s new carbon fiber skin by a full two inches on each side, and bestowed innumerable unique touches to nip and tuck its original form. The result is a shape that’s undeniably Mustang, but with a touch more “muscle car” DNA than traditional pony car.
Befitting its clandestine moniker, all that carbon fiber bodywork lies hidden beneath a coat of BASF paint, appropriately named “Spy Green.”
With a body fit for a Bond movie, the Ringbrothers also installed an over-the-top engine to boot. Lift up the scooped hood and you’ll find a massive 427ci Wegner Motorsports V8, which tacks on ported heads, a competition camshaft and crankshaft, plus a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger.
Frankly the power figures are enormous—a goliath 959 hp and 858 lb.-ft. of torque. “Covert” might not be the right word.
The wall of power is funneled out through a set of Flowmaster Super 44 mufflers and is put to the ground through a twin-disc clutch, six-speed Tremec gearbox, and a Detroit Speed nine-inch rear end. Give it a full shot of gas and you might end up in the next county.
Thankfully, the Ringbrothers gave the Espionage Ford Mustang plenty of stopping power too. The Rings called up Baer and added four massive 14-inch disc brakes to the pony car. The big discs live tucked behind a set of five-spoke HRE wheels, which come wrapped in Nitto Invo rubber.
Inside, it’s about as squeaky clean as a Bond villain’s lair, and about as rich in taste too. Both driver and passenger find themselves cosseted in gorgeous Recaro leather seats, and gazing upon a crisp leather wrapped dashboard. A center mounted Race Pak gauge replaces the traditional cluster.
All in all, it might not be the typical hero car of Mustang lore. But this is one fastback we’d have no problem rooting for.
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