Blasphemy in Olive Green: The 625-HP “Ruffian” 1970 Ford Mustang When traditional muscle-car purists look under the hood of a Ford, they expect to see Blue Oval hardware. What they do not expect is a roaring, high-tech V8 developed by General Motors. But Chris Ashton, the visionary behind Ruffian Cars, does not build cars to satisfy convention—he builds them to rewrite the rules. The 1970 Ford Mustang “Ruffian” is a masterclass in garage-built craftsmanship, combining the aggressive aesthetics of late-1960s Trans-Am racing with modern performance and carefully engineered upgrades. The Birth of a Rebel Chris Ashton, a video-game developer by day and hot-rod visionary by night, set out to recreate the spirit of late-1960s Trans-Am road racing. He did not want a trailer queen. He wanted a street-legal machine capable of attacking an autocross course while remaining usable on the road. Rather than ordering pre-made fiberglass body panels, Ashton chose the more demanding route. Working in his home garage, he spent countless hours cutting, shaping, and welding raw steel to create the Mustang’s aggressive widebody silhouette. The car’s distinctive personality was completed with a striking olive-green paint scheme—a vintage-inspired color reportedly drawn from Porsche’s 1978 catalog. Then came the decision that divided the automotive world: instead of using a Ford engine, Ashton installed a custom-built GM LS3-based V8. The reasoning was practical as much as rebellious. The LS platform offered compact dimensions, strong aftermarket support, proven reliability, and an impressive power-to-weight ratio. It was automotive blasphemy in the eyes of some Ford purists—but it worked remarkably well. The Ruffian Mustang made its public debut at the 2019 SEMA Show, where it appeared in Toyo Tires’ featured display. Its bold styling and unconventional powertrain quickly established it as one of the event’s most memorable custom builds. Technical Specifications Beneath the olive-green bodywork lies a serious performance machine: • Engine: Blueprint Engines 427-cubic-inch 7.0-liter LS3-based stroker V8 • Output: 625 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque • Transmission: Tremec TKO 600 five-speed manual • Chassis and body: Hand-fabricated, all-steel widebody panels; widened by 2 inches at the front and 3 inches at the rear • Suspension: Street Shockwave air-ride system at the front, with a custom three-link rear suspension and Watts link • Exhaust: Custom 3-inch stainless-steel side pipes exiting ahead of the rear tires • Wheels: Signature THREE wheels measuring 18×11 inches at the front and 19×12.5 inches at the rear • Tires: Toyo Proxes R888R • Brakes: Wilwood six-piston calipers with 13-inch slotted rotors The Ruffian Mustang is more than a restoration. It is a carefully engineered rejection of conformity—an unapologetic blend of classic American muscle, European-inspired styling, and functional racing hardware. Its GM-powered heart may offend Ford traditionalists, but the car’s execution is difficult to argue with. Every element, from the hand-formed steel bodywork to the enormous brakes and ultra-wide tires, serves a clear purpose. The Ruffian proves that the ultimate muscle car does not always emerge from a factory—or even from the traditional playbook. Sometimes, it is born in a home garage, shaped by imagination, and powered by a willingness to break the rules. #cars #luxurycars #vintagecar #sportcar #musclecar - @autotrends826