Ruffian Cars Shop Tour: Building Wild Muscle Cars with HOT ROD Magazine

From Programmer to Hot Rod Builder

• 💡 Chris Ashton, a former video game programmer, founded Ruffian Cars in Southern California, building high-end muscle cars.
• 🚀 The business began with Chris building his own cars in a two-car garage, eventually expanding to hire a team and establish a company.
• 🎯 The initial strategy involved building turnkey cars to showcase the shop's look, style, and brand to attract clients.

The Widebody '67 Mustang

• 🚗 This Mustang build was inspired by American cars that raced in Europe during the 1960s, incorporating FIA-style hood scoops and side vents.
• 🛠️ Steel fender flares were added to accommodate rear Cobra wheels on the front, creating a wide stance.
• 💡 Functional elements include a Shelby GT350R style spare tire mount in the rear and a removable harness bar, emphasizing practicality and design integration.

The Road-Course Galaxie

• 🏁 The Galaxie was reimagined for road-course performance, drawing inspiration from Holman and Moody's successful entries in the British Saloon Championship.
• ⚙️ It features a decoupled three-link rear suspension with opposing shocks to absorb shock load and provide adjustable traction at speed.
• 🚀 The steering is incredibly fast, with a one-turn lock-to-lock ratio, contributing to a unique and exhilarating driving experience.
• 💨 The exhaust system, inspired by McLaren designs, was rerouted to exit through the rear, accommodating a full belly pan and diffuser.

The Mid-Engine El Camino

• ⚡ A 1,000hp ZZ632 crate engine, initially ordered by chance, inspired the creation of a mid-engine El Camino.
• 💡 The engine was placed in the rear due to its size and the desire for better weight distribution in a pickup truck platform.
• 🔊 The exhaust system was routed forward through the transmission tunnel, avoiding a "boat exhaust" look and complementing the unconventional build.

Custom Builds and Future Projects

• 🚀 Ruffian Cars is also working on a widebody Fox Body Mustang with side pipes, inspired by Ken Block's unbuilt Huna Fox.
• 👽 The shop is undertaking a unique project to build a full-size working replica of the Alien APC, a significant departure into sci-fi vehicle fabrication.
• 💻 This APC build involves extensive SolidWorks design and stress testing to ensure structural integrity for a vehicle estimated to weigh between 10,000 and 12,000 lbs.
• ✅ Ruffian Cars emphasizes a fresh approach to car building, combining creativity from their programming backgrounds with a focus on functional, high-quality fabrication.