Since the 1960’s, it’s always been considered sacrilegious to contemplate swapping a Chevy powerplant into a classic Pontiac. While we dig traditional Poncho V8’s as much as the next Pontiac purist, we can understand why some enthusiasts make the switch.

The Maggie-blown 6-liter brings this classic Pontiac into the 21st Century.

Chevrolet engines are more plentiful, have a much larger aftermarket, and replacement parts can be pretty much found anywhere. That tradition continues today with the LS series engines, and you can find these Gen-III and Gen-IV small-blocks in pretty much everything these days. 

Such is the case with Bill Howell’s ’65 GTO convertible that you’re looking at on this page. The old 389 is long gone, and in its place is a 6.0L LS mill that’s boosted, courtesy of an intercooled Magnuson supercharger.

Howell lets a 4L80E gearbox do the shifting for him, while relying on it to send the blown 6-liter’s power to the Ford 9-inch rear axle. Inside that differential you’ll find a 3.70 axle ratio.

This old goat wasn’t really built for the dragstrip, but rather the show and autocross circuits. That’s why underneath the A-body you’ll find Global West upper and lower front control arms, custom spindles, adjustable rear control arms, and a QA1 coil-over system.

But a pro-touring musclecar wouldn’t be complete without an upgraded braking system and an updated wheel package, and Howell’s GTO answers the call with a set of Wilwood binders up front and in the back, while Forgeline’s killer VR3P’s stand out in all four corners. Measuring in at 19×9-inch in the front, and 20×12-inch in the rear, they’re wrapped in sticky Pirelli P-Zero rubber.

The interior has received the 21st century makeover as well, having a set of 2001 Olds Aurora seats (front and rear) wrapped in custom leather, stitched in the 1965 GTO pattern. You’ll also find carbon fiber sprinkled throughout the interior, and topped off with Classic Instruments gauges. We think the car looks fantastic overall, and is a well sorted package.