Prestone cars at SEMA

The Prestone outdoor display at the 218 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) featured a pair of cars built the Ring Brothers (Jim and Mike) of Spring Green, Wisconsin.

1971 Pantera

The Pantera (“panther” in Italian) was built by De Tomaso Modena SpA from a design by Tom Tjaarda for the Italian design firm Carrozzeria Ghia SpA. The 1971 Pantera models were powered by a 351 cubic inch Ford “Cleveland” V-8 engine that developed 330 horsepower.  This re-imagined build is equipped with Wegner Motorsports 600-horsepower Chevrolet LS3 engine.

The Ring Borthers added subtle design changes such as the small wheel flares and custom rocker panels with brake cooling ducts before they sprayed the car with BASF Glasurit Waterborne “Yellow Line” paint.

This car was originally shown at the 2013 SEMA show, and was once owned by the reality TV "star" the “Gas Monkey” Richard Rawlings who paid over $300,000 at a Barrett-Jackson auction.

1972 Javelin

This radical build that reportedly cost $500,000 is known as “Defiant” and debuted at the 2017 SEMA show. The car powered by a Wegner Motorsports 378 cubic inch Hemi Mopar Hellcat engine fitted with a Whipple 4.5-liter Supercharger that reportedly produced 1,036 horsepower at the crankshaft. Royal Purple engine and transmission oil assures the high-powered motor will be kept running smoothly, while a new Dodge Hellcat radiator and fan assembly ensures perfect running temperatures while filled with Prestone Antifreeze.

The Ring Brothers extended the Javelin’s wheelbase by moving the wheels forward six and a half inches, with the Javelin’s distinctive wheel arches moved forward and recreated in carbon fiber to pair with a new hood, front fenders, grille and front valance. The body was sprayed with a BASF Glasurit color named “Jalop Gold.”

All photos by the author