The SEMA Show begins today, November 3, 2026, which can only mean one thing: Ringbrothers will be unveiling several pieces of eye candy for all forms of humanoids to appreciate. At the top of the intros is a classic car that the Wisconsin-based shop has yet to handle: the Pontiac GTO.

There was a time when the 1965 GTO was the quintessential example of the model when the older set dominated the hobby, but that consensus may have been replaced by the opinions of Generation Xers and younger (my money’s on the ’70). Nonetheless, the ’65 stands as the one that exhibited the purity of the inaugural ’64 while featuring improved style in line with the contemporary vertical headlights that were a brief Pontiac trademark. Hence, it’s a car that’s ripe to receive Ringbrothers’ talents.

“’Billie’ began as a tribute to a GTO once owned by our client’s mother, who received the original car as a gift,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring. “The owner wanted to recreate something that held real sentimental value, and during our early conversations, he suggested calling it ‘Goat.’ We came back with Billie, as in billy goat, and that moniker stuck. It’s a playful nod to the GTO’s heritage, but more, a deeply personal tribute to a car with a special place in his family’s history.”

This Poncho reflects over 5,000 hours of craftmanship, fabrication, and mechanical modernization, yet the build cannot be mistaken for anything other than a Goat, though, truth be told, it started out as a Tempest Custom convertible (so you purists can stop writing your letters). Extensive metalwork commenced by increasing the width by five inches, plus the rocker panels have been lengthened.

Extensive use of carbon fiber has been implemented: doors, front wheel tubs, lower front valence, and rear diffuser with integrated exhaust ducts, plus the hood, which features an enlarged air induction scoop plus functional, machined billet-aluminum inserts run along the sides. Other custom-made touches include the headlight buckets, taillights, and bumpers. Under the skin, you’ll find more surgery that’s been deftly handled as if the car was born that way.

Pontiac purists may wince, but the power plant is now a “corporate” Wegner Motorsports supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 putting out 650 horsepower and an equal amount of torque. Besides the three deuces and a 389, you also won’t find a Hurst-shifted four-speed; instead, a Bowler Performance 10-speed automatic handles the modern driving moves. Breathing is handled by (naturally!) a custom-built system featuring Flowmaster components. A Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III chassis, FOX coilovers, and six-piston Brembo brakes give more dexterity than anyone could have imagined in 1965. A set of staggered 19- and 20-inch HRE G-Code wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

If you thought the interior was going to be left intact, all I can say is, “What were you thinking?” A bespoke gray and blue leather interior features a redesigned and repositioned dashboard, custom aluminum trim, Dakota Digital instrumentation, Vintage Air climate components, and even a Gentex digital rearview mirror. However, the stock radio remains intact aside from an assist from Bluetooth.

With intact proportions, Billie honors the incidental good looks that Pontiac stylists came up with as a second act for the A-body, but there’s so much more to see—almost like having to watch “Airplane!” multiple times to catch more and more gags. Billie is the perfect companion to Recoil, the 1966 Chevelle build that Ringbrothers debuted 12 years ago at SEMA.