Ringbrothers™ co-founders Jim and Mike Ring unveil “Seaker,” an LS3-powered 1971 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer restomod at the SEMA Show
Spring Green, Wis. (October 30th, 2018) – Ringbrothers, the creative team behind some of SEMA’s most ambitious builds, returned to the show this year with a 1971 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer known as “Seaker.” The build is the first custom SUV by Jim and Mike Ring, crafted after years of successful muscle and sports car projects. “Seaker” combines form and function, taking the best of the K5 platform and adding modern performance and amenities with a show-quality finish.
“This build was unlike anything we had tackled before,” said Jim Ring. “It was a new platform for us, but after unveiling a truck last year, we were excited to take on the Blazer. We learned a lot on the K5 platform and we hope to bring that knowledge to future projects and parts development.”
“Seaker” is powered by a GM LS3 crate engine with a Holley Fuel System producing 430 hp. The GM powerplant is connected to a Bowler Performance 4L60E automatic transmission, while a custom Flowmaster exhaust provides a healthy growl. An AFCO Radiator with Prestone anti-freeze provides cooling for the big engine. Suspension components are provided by RideTech while the running boards, firewall, air box, engine covers, fan shroud, floors and side panels are all designed and fabricated by Ringbrothers.
The big Blazer is the first Ringbrothers 4×4 build and features subtle styling touches, a modern leather interior all wrapped in laser-straight sheet metal with the help of 3M refinishing tools including Cubitron finishing paper. Each panel was then coated in several layers of a custom BASF Glasurit color known as “Brazilian Smoke.”
The build is fitted with numerous Ringbrothers parts currently available for purchase including Hood Hinges, Universal Truck Tie Downs, Pro-Touring Door Handles and Pro-Touring Window Cranks. Each of these parts was manufactured and assembled in the same Wisconsin facility as “Seaker” and shares the same quality as every Ringbrothers product.
“This K5 was a blast to build and we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors,” added Mike Ring. “There were dozens of companies and individuals who contributed their know-how to help make this the best K5 it could be. With the platform growing in popularity we can see the industry shifting to support builders with more products and parts- opening all sorts of creative options. I don’t think this is the last you’ll see from us on this platform.”
The Blazer has a tasteful 1” body lift and larger wheel wells to make room for custom 17” Circle Racing wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires. On the interior, the upholstery is by Upholstery Unlimited, with A/C provided by Vintage Air. The K5 is destined for a life by the sea, exploring sandy back roads along the Florida coast – this is the origin of the name “Seaker.”
For more information on Ringbrothers and its 2018 SEMA appearance, stay tuned to its social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, don’t miss the Ringbrothers University video series, in which Mike and Jim Ring give step-by-step tutorials on how to do bodywork.
ABOUT RINGBROTHERS LLC
(www.ringbrothers.com) – Based in Spring Green, WI, Ringbrothers has rocketed into the top ranks of American car builders over the past decade, winning numerous design awards including the GM “Best in Show” design award at the 2014 SEMA Show, back-to-back Goodguys Street Machine of the Year awards, multiple Mother’s Shine awards, countless magazine covers and several builds commissioned by OEMs. Founders Mike and Jim Ring also design and manufacture some of the most detailed billet interior and exterior parts that money can buy, beautifully designed with architectural lines and incredible craftsmanship, all made in the USA. Each piece of automotive jewelry that leaves the facility gives buyers an opportunity to make their own Ringbrothers-inspired cars that truly stand apart.
