When someone crosses the finishing line first, jumps farthest, or lifts the most weight, it’s easy to see who won, leaving the only debates to the eye of a camera in a photo finish. However, when judging a beauty contest, judges are faced with an entirely different challenge that often tests the resolve and temperament of even the most seasoned experts. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what is beautiful to one person just won’t do for another. This is precisely why opinions based upon personal preferences, rather than definite results, are impossible to predict or qualify. In so many instances, it’s simply a matter of liking one thing more than another, and it’s how this Ford was chosen over the other fine finalists, all vying for what has become a highly coveted award. Regardless of one’s viewpoint or marque allegiance, Doug and Flo Hoppe’s ’67 Mustang “Reactor” rightfully earned its honors as the Goodguys 2007 Street Machine of the Year.

Innovative Design and Unique Features

From any angle, this notable effort puts a clever and innovative edge on what many consider to be the classic Mustang, combining elements never before used on previous efforts. When you add in the way these details were incorporated and finished, with each new concept carefully blending with existing ones, this Mustang commands attention on various levels. Yes, we would say that the Ring Brothers—who built this car—have outdone themselves again.

The Ring Brothers’ Vision

Since first coming on the rodding scene, nothing about Mike and Jim Ring’s approach to building cars could be called traditional. These two talented visionaries didn’t come from typical rodding stock. They were deeply immersed in automotive collision and service businesses, and it was only on a lark that these two Wisconsin entrepreneurs decided to build their first effort—a radical ’68 Camaro that debuted in the October ’01 issue of Super Rod magazine. Since then, the Ring Brothers (608/588-7399) have built a number of visionary creations, many of which were featured here, along with a strong customer base looking for innovative and capable cars just like this Mustang. Like its predecessors, this fastback coupe is nothing if not unique, with an almost endless list of special details that have some asking why, while the more insightful ask how.

Updated Chassis and Suspension

Starting with what you can’t see, the chassis has been updated in every way imaginable, beginning with a Total Control front suspension, belly pan support brace and subframe connectors from Chris Alston’s Chassisworks. It’s here that 15-inch Baer rotors within the grip of Baer six-piston calipers maintain control over 19×8-inch iForged wheels and 255/40-19 Goodyear F1 high-performance tires. Slightly larger 285/35-19 Goodyears wrap 19×11-inch rims on either end of a Dutchman axle housing, fit with Dutchman axles and a Detroit Locker limited slip. The rear is suspended by an Air Ride Technologies AirBAR system that laterally controls movement as well as providing hookup and that all-important visual stance. Highly detailed in paint, anodized and with other clever finishes, the underside of this Mustang is too nice to go unseen, and yet as with any slammed car, that is often the case.

Powerful Roush 427 IR Engine

Look beneath the hood and any question as to this car’s visual appeal is quickly silenced by an array of specially designed and machined elements from Prime Components. Items such as the beautifully machined bracing and brackets and the complete air box concealing the trick eight-stack induction system are just some of the eye-catching hardware that is found here. Beneath the intake, there’s a full-house Roush 427 IR small block, pumping out 551 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. Running a 4.125-inch bore around a 4.00-inch stroke, an Eagle 4340 forged crankshaft throws Eagle H-beam rods and forged Wiseco pistons through their powerful cycles. With a static compression of 10:1, the CNC-ported Roush alloy cylinder heads flow incredible amounts of air supplied by the aforementioned intake, which also supplies fuel by way of twin injectors, also from Roush. As expected, the camshaft and valvetrain were created specifically for this engine, and while somewhat radical sounding, it’s actually just what Jack Roush ordered. As expected, once fed by the digital fuel injection system, sparked by a high-powered digital ignition system and vented through special headers and a custom exhaust system, this engine is quick to rev. In fact, with the Tremec five-speed manual transmission, it dispels any thoughts of this Mustang being a pretender—it is quick and capable, and in terms of power, it is on a par with many of today’s most notable performance cars.

Stunning Interior Customization

Although built to run and run hard, the visual enhancements applied to this thundering Ford express the owner’s passion for the extreme, in spite of the fact that it was conceived around absolute function. As with the detailed chassis, numerous points of interest on the drivetrain make for inspired conversation. From behind the wheel, it’s easy to appreciate the thunder beneath the hood, as the same level of attention has been paid to re-creating the interior, with a combination of original approaches enhanced with many special touches. These include a custom epoxy-coated aluminum gauge bezel, along with a matching center switch bezel, shift ring and A/C vents. Fitted within a custom console, the Prime Components shifter and knob finish off the connection between Hoppe and the drivetrain, as it looks just like it works—fantastic. Then there’s the comfort of Vintage Air climate control, a MOMO steering wheel and Painless Performance wiring to empower the Classic Instruments gauges and other components. This includes a dynamic audio system making use of a Sony head unit along with Rockford Fosgate amps and speakers. When enhanced with Dynamat sound-deadening materials, the clarity of these components is united in a first-class musical experience.

European-Inspired Interior by Tracy Weaver

The true beauty of the interior came by way of the vision and skills of Tracy Weaver and his crew at the Recovery Room, located in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. It’s there that the look of a European concept car came to be in olive-green Italian leather and graphite-colored BMW wool carpet. Fitted in a style Weaver has become known for, all of the interior panels except for the lower dash were specially created for this application. The seating was created almost entirely from scratch, which made for exceptional passenger comfort. Other points of interest include the creation of a one-piece aluminum and fiberglass headliner that does away with any visible fasteners, leaving only a thin French seam down the center. All of trim pieces have been nickel-plated for a richer look. The door panels are also custom-made, and they still attach as the originals did. Accented with perforated inserts and door pulls made from aluminum tubes, the results of these subtle changes are notable, and everything follows a common theme. What’s interesting is that the more you look, the more there is to see. The cargo area, once made up of 18 separate panels, now uses only five sculpted aluminum panels to achieve its contours, all of which join in a flowing union side to side. Hidden beneath all of this finery are the various audio components that would not fit elsewhere. Special roll bands were also specially cut for the floors, with each of the ribs nickel-plated for added appeal. The trunk is also a place of beauty, combining the same materials used inside to complement the various components needing concealment.

Exterior Modifications and Custom Paint

Although you can only get a glimpse of this Mustang from inside, you can see from the exterior that it retains all of its original character, while taking on a decidedly different appeal through the many unique details. Even though the contours retain their original appeal, uniting these lines with a variety of machined hardware has created a Mustang that stands alone. The body mods begin with a raised crease running down the center of the body, and when combined with the adjoining details, it looks as if it was there all along. In keeping with the center rib, the rear window has been split in two for a special appeal. On either side of the roof, the driprails have been removed, as have various emblems, trim pieces and the door handles. Intakes have been cut into the rear quarter panels, and specially fabricated spears were built through the door and run into the rear quarter panel. Further inspection reveals handbuilt rocker panels and rolled fenderwells that wrap perfectly around the wide rubber. Rear mini-tubs within the wheelhouses allow for use of still wider rubber in back. Further tricks include handmade carbon-fiber components from Gemini, including the hood, decklid, taillight panel, front and rear bumpers and quarter panel extensions, as well as the front fascia.

Custom Details and Finishing Touches

To enhance these surfaces, still more detail came by way of numerous custom bezels and trim pieces, which were all made specifically for this Mustang. These include the brake vent bezels within the front spoiler and the grille inserts above, along with similar pieces on the hood. More workmanship embellishes the rear fenders and adjoining quarter panels, along with the taillight bezels, exhaust tip/diffusers, gas cap and other fine points, making it difficult to identify one that is more interesting than another. Coated in a deep finish of beautifully applied BASF Glasurit basecoat, the Chernobyl Green finish is subtle, and yet it’s just the color for this low-key, high-fashion Mustang that completes the picture. Combined with the nickel-plated body trim and carbon-fiber additions, the exceptional results of this well-planned effort are undeniable. Whether you’re looking at this effort subjectively or objectively, know that Doug and Flo Hoppe took home the trophy, no questions asked.