The Ringbrothers Billie GTO is a 650-hp Pontiac tribute reported by Car and Driver on November 2, 2026, ahead of its scheduled SEMA unveiling in Las Vegas. Ringbrothers built it from a 1965 Tempest convertible, rather than an original factory GTO. Its public reveal is scheduled for November 3 at the Gentex booth.
Reporting status: November 3, 2026. The finished build has received press coverage, but the sources reviewed do not confirm that its scheduled public unveiling has taken place.
What is the Ringbrothers Billie GTO?
Billie combines a 1965 Pontiac convertible body with a supercharged Chevrolet V8, a replacement chassis and extensively revised bodywork. However, its starting point matters: this is a Tempest transformed into a GTO tribute, not a restored factory-built GTO.
According to Car and Driver’s November 2 report on Billie, the build honors a GTO associated with the commissioning client’s mother. That family connection explains the choice of Pontiac rather than making this simply an engine-swap exercise.
For drivers and enthusiasts, the interesting story sits beneath the familiar shape. Ringbrothers has changed the body width, chassis, powertrain and braking hardware. Consequently, Billie needs to be understood as a complete custom build, not a stock Pontiac with extra horsepower.
It also adds another distinct project to the show’s broader mix. Our SEMA Show 2026 manufacturer overview covers the wider exhibition context.
How much horsepower does Ringbrothers’ Billie make?
Car and Driver reports 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter Chevrolet LT4 V8. The torque figure equates to approximately 881 Nm. A Bowler Performance 10-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels.
However, the wording differs slightly between sources. The Ringbrothers release republished by PistonsPR describes output as more than 650 hp. Therefore, the Ringbrothers Billie 650 hp headline follows the specific rating reported by Car and Driver, rather than treating both descriptions as identical measurements.
The following Billie GTO specs separate reported hardware from performance figures that remain unconfirmed.
| Item | Reported specification or status |
|---|---|
| Donor vehicle | 1965 Pontiac Tempest convertible |
| Engine | Supercharged 6.2-liter Chevrolet LT4 V8 |
| Output | 650 hp and 650 lb-ft, according to Car and Driver |
| Transmission and drive | Bowler Performance 10-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
| Body widening | 5 inches, equivalent to 127 mm |
| Chassis | Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III |
| Suspension and brakes | Fox coil-overs and six-piston Brembo brakes |
| Build time | More than 5,500 hours, according to Ringbrothers |
| Price and measured performance | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed |
Crucially, those engine figures do not establish an acceleration time. No verified 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph), top-speed or lap-time result appears in the reviewed material. Any acceleration or limit-handling testing belongs on a closed circuit or controlled private venue, not public roads.
How much wider is the Ringbrothers Billie?
Billie’s body is five inches wider, or 127 mm, according to the reporting. Carbon-fiber components include the hood and doors.
However, that body-width increase should not be mistaken for a published track-width measurement. The reviewed sources do not provide enough dimensions to calculate wheel placement, overall width or clearance.
Underneath, the Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III chassis works with Fox coil-overs and six-piston Brembo brakes. Together, these changes show that the project extends well beyond exterior styling.
Still, component names cannot tell drivers how the finished car steers, rides or brakes. Tire specifications, setup information and instrumented testing would help establish that picture. Until those details emerge, claims about cornering grip or stopping distance would go beyond the evidence.
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Where can you see the Billie GTO at SEMA 2026?
The official SEMA vehicle reveal schedule lists Ringbrothers’ ’65 Pontiac GTO for November 3, 2026, from 10:30–10:50 a.m., at Gentex booth #23889 in Las Vegas.
That is the scheduled public unveiling, whereas November 2 is the date of Car and Driver’s report. Consequently, press coverage of the finished car should not be read as confirmation that the booth presentation has already happened.
For attendees, the practical detail is the Gentex booth number and the 20-minute reveal window. However, the reviewed material does not establish Billie’s full display timetable, a public-access ticket arrangement or a dedicated livestream.
Before planning around the Ringbrothers GTO SEMA 2026 appearance, check the organizer’s current schedule and your admission arrangements. For another project at the same show, see our report on the Honda Civic Type R HRC US plans.
How many hours did it take to build Billie?
Ringbrothers’ release states that Billie required more than 5,500 hours of work. That figure describes the reported labor investment, not a confirmed start-to-finish calendar duration.
For perspective, 5,500 hours equals more than 137 forty-hour working weeks. However, that calculation does not reveal how many people worked simultaneously or how the workshop scheduled fabrication and assembly.
The figure helps explain the scope of the project: a widened convertible body, carbon-fiber components, replacement chassis and modern powertrain. Nevertheless, it does not establish the commission’s cost. No price is confirmed in the reviewed sources.
How can drivers record their own drives?
For drivers interested in documenting their own cars, TripRank is an iOS driving and performance telemetry companion app. It tracks drives with GPS, records trips, and shows performance stats and charts.
Its free tier includes unlimited GPS drive tracking and a per-trip Smoothness Score, while stats and charts appear as previews. Pro adds Apple Watch heart-rate analytics and aggregate Stats charts.
However, drive records are separate from the evidence behind Billie’s published specifications. They do not turn an engine-output claim into a verified performance result.
Frequently asked questions
Was Billie originally a Pontiac GTO?
No. Billie began as a 1965 Pontiac Tempest convertible. Ringbrothers transformed it into a GTO tribute rather than restoring an original factory-built GTO.
What engine is in the Ringbrothers Billie?
Billie uses a supercharged 6.2-liter Chevrolet LT4 V8. Car and Driver reports 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Bowler Performance 10-speed automatic.
When was Billie scheduled to be unveiled at SEMA 2026?
SEMA’s official schedule lists November 3, 2026, from 10:30–10:50 a.m. at Gentex booth #23889 in Las Vegas. The sources reviewed do not confirm completion of that public unveiling.
Are Billie’s acceleration time and price confirmed?
No. The reviewed sources do not confirm a price, acceleration time, top speed, lap time or track-testing result.
Bottom line
Billie’s headline is 650 hp, but its Tempest origins and extensive reconstruction tell the fuller story. For now, the evidence supports a carefully specified custom Pontiac, not claims about measured pace. To document your own drives, explore TripRank’s GPS drive tracking on the App Store.
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