Ringbrothers’ customer Doug Hoppe’s 1967 Mustang Fastback “Reactor” won the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association’s “Street Machine Of The Year” award for 2007. This award is the most coveted prize in the hot-rod industry for street machines.
Reactor was a winner the first time it was shown in public at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. The car debuted in the Roush booth, with a personal unveiling by Jack Roush. After seeing the car for the first time, Roush said,
“It’s one of the most beautiful Mustangs I have ever seen.”
The accolades didn’t stop there. During the industry-only show, the Reactor was awarded the coveted Mothers® Polish Shine Award to both the owner and builder, recognizing the talent needed to produce an unforgettable car. Next was recognition from Ford Motor Company, when Larry Erickson presented the Ringbrothers with a Ford Design award, also one of the most prestigious honors given by the manufacturer. The “Reactor” got the nod over the finest group of Street Machines ever assembled in one spot at one time. “There were 25 cars here that could have easily made the top five,” said one industry insider. Hoppe’s 427-cubic inch Roush powered Ford Mustang does good burnouts too! Friday afternoon after getting clearance from fairgrounds security, Hoppe and the Ring Bros took the car out to a remote section of the fairgrounds and put on a good old fashioned smoke show for some TV cameras.
What makes the Reactor stand out from any other Mustang is its custom machine work, which was all created at Prime Components, the in-house machine shop owned by Todd Milanowski and the Ringbrothers. The Reactor represents the future of hot rod shops. The car has over 70 custom-machined parts including side vents, complete air induction, export bracing, hinges, gas cap, taillight bezels, and exhaust tip/diffuser, to name a few.