Last year’s edition of SEMA was canceled at the last moment, like most auto events that implied large crowds gathering in closed spaces. That said, regulars at the show still unveiled their custom builds as they would have because what’s an artist to do?
Make no mistake about it, Mike and Jim Ring are just that: artists. Best known to the auto community as Winsconsin-based custom shop The Ringbrothers, the Rings put passion, years of experience, very hard work, and excellent craftsmanship into every project they undertake. The result is always, without fail, a piece of automotive jewelry.
Since January is autoevolution’s Ford Month, what better time is there to have a look at one of The Ringbrothers’ most famous works, which also happened to be their first-ever truck presented at SEMA? The Ringbrothers are regulars at the event, but this was the first time they tried their hand at a truck restomod.
Photo: Ringbrothers
Meet Clem 101, a ‘50s Ford-100 restomod that is decidedly retro and covertly modern and the epitome of what a truck should be: fast, low, slick, and kinda sinister, as the brothers themselves say in a recent chat with Barcroft Cars (see the video at the bottom of the page). It was introduced to the world at the 2017 edition of SEMA and, to this day, it’s considered one of the most beautiful truck restomods out there.
By the looks of Clem 101, you wouldn’t be able to tell that it started out as a rusty, completely out of shape 1954 Ford F-100. The Ringbrothers love vintage trucks, so they took that love and combined it with their incredible aesthetic and fine work to deliver something that looks completely different. Like many of their projects, Clem101 is also built almost entirely from scratch, with the only pieces of original metal still to be found in the cab and the bubbly hood, of which they say it was just perfect as it was.
Speaking of the cabin, while this was originally a ‘54 truck, the cab is from a 1956 model. The brothers liked the ‘54 front end better, so they had that one put in – and then built everything else themselves. The project took some 3,000 work hours spread over a period of seven months, which, they say, wasn’t much compared to how much time their other projects took. On parts alone, they estimate they spent over $85,000, but they stop short of putting a price on Clem 101 as a whole.
Photo: Ringbrothers
Dubbed the “Cinderella of SEMA,” Clem 101 features extensive body modifications, bespoke billet accessories, and a flawless “Speedy P Green” paint job. Power comes from a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote crate motor with Ford Racing fuel injection, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and producing 415 hp. HRE Vintage Series 545 forged wheels clad in Nitto tires get this beauty rolling, while Baer six-piston disc brakes on all four corners give it stopping power.
The Ringbrothers extended the original ‘54 wheelbase seven inches (17.7 cm) in the front, using a narrowed Ford Crown Victoria subframe. The wheel openings were narrowed, and the fenders were widened, while the bed was built from scratch and fitted with custom tie-downs. Billet hinges, a Ringbrothers specialty, were added to the hood.
Clem 101 is just as impressive inside as it’s on the outside, blending retro aesthetics with most modern features. If you happened to pass by it while parked, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell it’s got a pretty badass sound system or air-conditioning, mostly because of the vintage gauges and an overall clean, minimalist approach.
Photo: Ringbrothers
Photos speak louder than words, they say. On that note, let us wrap this up by saying that words can hardly do justice to the exquisite Clem 101, so make sure to check out the gallery above and these two videos.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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