Ringbrothers, the world-renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer, has debuted its latest creation at the 2023 SEMA Show – a custom-built 1965 Ford Mustang convertible known as “UNCAGED.” Crafted as a companion to its sibling “CAGED” which debuted in August of 2022, “UNCAGED” furthers the evolution of Ford’s original pony car through a subtle reimagining of every line and proportion while maintaining the classic design elements that made it one of America’s most iconic and coveted vehicles.
What began as an original 1965 Ford Mustang convertible has been wholly reformed with only the wheel center caps retained as the sole remaining factory component. The subtly updated body has been widened an inch on both sides, and one-off Ringbrothers-built pieces, including the iconic Mustang taillight bezels, side scoops and running horse emblems, have all been redesigned for proper proportion. The fenders have been modified to blend seamlessly into the lowered and extended rocker panels, while the front bumper has been tucked and mated to the entirely custom front valance.
“UNCAGED lives up to its name setting loose modern power and handling in a classic shape that looks at home on today’s streets,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “Every aspect of this build has been thoroughly reimagined. It’s lower and meaner, a mix of tradition and modern carried throughout the bodywork and into the cabin.”
The exterior wears a BASF Glasurit “Burgundy Brave” finish, and all the chrome and stainless-steel trim has been treated with Cerakote Titanium C-105P. A redesigned front grille is recessed two inches and feeds air into a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V8 crate engine developing 460 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 420 ft-lbs of torque at 4,600 RPM. Power routes through Ford’s 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission.
The fully bespoke bodywork features custom-built floor pans and has been integrated directly with the Roadster Shop FAST TRACK chassis, creating a custom unibody to dramatically enhance the driving experience. Handling comes courtesy of Penske Racing Shocks RS Edition performance coilovers front and rear, an independent rear suspension and a set of Baer Brakes for stopping power. The Mustang grips the tarmac thanks to Continental tires wrapped around one-off 18-inch EVOD Industries wheels mirroring the style of the Mustang’s iconic Rally wheels.
Inside, UNCAGED features a wholly new interior penned by Sean Smith Designs and installed by Steve Pearson at Upholstery Unlimited. The cabin features custom instrumentation by Dakota Digital and a bespoke steering wheel that pays homage to the Mustang’s original interior. The result is a stylistically congruent cabin where brightwork is softened and smoothed, simultaneously more aggressive, yet with refinement and grace.
“With UNCAGED, we expanded on our prior experience building CAGED to create something similar but also entirely unique,” continued Mike Ring. “In all, we spent over 4,000 hours shaping and refining this build, and we’re grateful for our trusted partners Gentex, BASF, Motul, GFS, Heat Shield Products, Miller Welding, Painless Wiring and others in supporting us in bringing this car to life.”
