Eddie Pettus claims the 2026 overall title with a five-year, 15,000-hour custom build featuring a 1,300-hp twin-turbo engine.
Sema Nov. 9, 2026 — A heavily modified 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle built by Eddie Pettus has won the overall title at the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers.
Pettus earned the top honour by winning the Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck category and advancing to the final round against three other category champions: Buddy Hale, Mark Giambalvo, and Jesse Rieger.
The Chevelle represents five years of work and more than 15,000 labour hours devoted to its construction and interior, combining extensive body modifications, custom fabrication, and high-performance engineering.
“This is just awesome, and it was such a tough year,” said Pettus. “It means so much to me and my team to do this, and to finally get the overall is an honour.”
Under the hood, the Chevelle features a 1,300-hp twin-turbocharged LS3 engine paired with a 4L80 transmission from Bowler Performance. The powertrain sits on a Roadster Shop chassis equipped with cantilever independent rear suspension and Brembo brakes.
The exterior has undergone extensive transformation, including a wedge-sectioned body, extended wheelbase, modified roofline, custom rocker panels, and fender extensions. Other fabrication work includes flush-mounted glass, custom floor pans, wheel wells, and firewall.
The build features an Avante Garde-designed interior, Dakota Digital instrumentation, and custom wheels, grille, bumpers, lighting, and exhaust.
“Eddie’s Chevelle demonstrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and technical expertise that define SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice-president of marketing.
The competition features four categories, with each winner advancing to the final round for the overall title.
Buddy Hale claimed the Sport Compact/Import Performance category with a 1955 Volkswagen Ghia, while Mark Giambalvo won the Off-Road category with a 1974 Chevrolet K10. Jesse Rieger took the Young Guns title with a 1969 Ford Mustang.
The annual Battle of the Builders competition recognizes outstanding vehicle design, engineering, and fabrication from builders across the automotive aftermarket.
For more information and photographs of the winning builds, visit SEMA Battle of the Builders.