AutotopiaLA revisits Ringbrothers’ “Defiant,” a heavily modified 1972 AMC Javelin built more than 10 years ago as a promotional car for Prestone.
Powered by a 4.5-liter Whipple-supercharged V8 making over 1,000 horsepower, it combines classic Javelin styling with extensive chassis, body, and drivetrain work that was cutting-edge when the car was completed.
Building Defiant required far more than fitting a powerful engine. Ringbrothers moved the front wheels forward by six inches, reshaped the wheel openings, created carbon-fiber front body panels, and fitted a Detroit Speed front subframe with four-link rear suspension.
A Bowler 4L80 automatic, Ford 9-inch rear axle, Baer brakes, and 20-inch HRE wheels handle the power. Original side-exit exhaust also had to be revised because it did not sound right.
Defiant has only covered about 1,700 miles, and much of its early life was spent promoting Prestone rather than piling on road miles. Now it belongs to an owner near Ringbrothers in Wisconsin, and the car actually gets used.
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A rough-looking 1970 Chevelle with a twin-turbo Ford Coyote, a hand-built cooler and a steering wheel from a family boat.
