Get up close with the highly anticipated “Angry Bird,” a radical custom 1973 Plymouth Road Runner that absolutely dominated the floor at the 2025 Detroit Autorama! This wasn’t just another car on display; it was a featured vehicle and a major contender in the prestigious ISCA (International Show Car Association) competition circuit.
Owned by Ryan Hargreaves and brought to life by the master craftsmen at Wild Wes Paintworks & Hot Rod Factory in Magnolia, Ohio, the “Angry Bird” redefines classic Mopar muscle with a modern, high-performance edge. This build is a perfect example of blending vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering, a style Wes Adkins is known for.
The heart of this beast is a ferocious Twin-Turbo HEMI engine that delivers insane power, far surpassing the original 318 or 440 engines of the era. The meticulous detail under the hood is a showstopper in itself, showcasing custom fabrication and top-tier components designed for both show quality and go-fast performance.
From the flawless, arrow-straight body lines to the aggressive stance and custom wheels, every aspect of the “Angry Bird” has been carefully considered. Wes Adkins, an accomplished painter and builder with SEMA show experience and various high-profile clients like Ford and Harley-Davidson, applied his signature touch, resulting in a paint finish that looks like a mirror.
This car tells a great story, too. Ryan originally purchased the Road Runner in high school, and after years of wanting to do something truly special with it, he entrusted Wes and his team to create this masterpiece. The result is a jaw-dropping restomod that pays homage to the classic muscle car era while pushing the boundaries of custom car building.
In this video, you’ll hear the rumble of that twin-turbo HEMI and see why the “Angry Bird” turned heads and took home hardware at one of the nation’s biggest car shows.
If you love Mopars, custom builds, or just incredible engineering, this is a video you won’t want to miss!
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Vehicle Specs & Features:
Year/Model: 1973 Plymouth Road Runner “Angry Bird”
Owner: Ryan Hargreaves
Builder: Wild Wes Paintworks & Hot Rod Factory (Wes Adkins)
Engine: Twin-Turbocharged HEMI
Key Highlights: Radical custom build, aggressive stance, show-quality paint, top-tier fabrication, featured Autorama vehicle, ISCA competitor
























