My First Nova

Here are some pictures of my first nova i have always wanted one and when i saw this one "resting" in someones yard i knew i had to have it. its a stock 6cyl 3 speed (for now) i plan on doing a full resto. i have already bought a rebuilt performance 400 small block for it and am looking for an m-20 trans. body is in good condition for its age. I have seen Novas in simmilar condition sell for 1500-2000 dollars on e-bay. I practily stole this one for the grand sum of $800 Im trying to build this car as cheaply as possible. but want it to look good at the same time. so if anyone knows where to get the cheapest parts, or has any resto tips they would be greatly appreciated.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1356.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1357.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1358.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1359.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1355.jpg

hey buddy what year is that Nova?

its a 1972 planning on building it to look like my dads car that he had when he was younger.

Looks like a great project. Spend some time on this site and you will find lots of great info on different ways to do your ride. Wish I would have found this site along time ago cause I would have done alot of things differently. Have fun!

Later

Thats a nice find and welcome to the site!

Planning on bulding a mild performance car with mini tubs but going to college at the same time my budgets kinda tight. got a good deal on the engine to paid 400 bucks for it and its been recently rebuilt. the guy i got it from says its pushing 600 HP. but i doubt that he would let a 600HP engine go for that little. and the valve train is not built up enough to support that much power. i would estimate it engine around 375-400 HP. Now i need an M-20 trans anyone got one they want to part with.

I'd say it was a nice find for $800. It looks to be pretty solid and in decent shape. I'm in the process of doing much the same thing, in that I'm trying to build a decent looking driver on a budget ... however, mine is in much worse shape than yours and will require quite a lot of time / money worth of body work in addition to the other stuff.

Anyway, you're at the right place. The web link library (http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27286) here is a great resource. There is a plethora of knowledge here. The classified section here is great! And, you're working with a car that has gobs of support and parts (stock replacement and varying degrees of performance) availability.

Best of luck with your project!

RC

Stock72, I just bought a completely rebuilt M20 on Ebay for $700.00. It appears to be in perfect condition with all new internals. It's getting installed Monday. Welcome to the site, good luck with yours.:D

I would like to buy a rebuilt m-20 but spent all my money on the car. but it runs drives and is street legal so i guess i cant complain to much.

Coming from a guy that build his '72 while putting himself through school, and having it be his only means of transportation, I'll tell you ya have a LONG road ahead of you...and believe me when I tell you that it's going to cost half again whatever your estimate is--they always do!

It'll be a good chance to spend a lot of time in the shop, and learn a lot in the process. Be sure to take a LOT of pictures...and not just of the car, but of you and anyone else who helps you work on it.

keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it keep it
oh did i mention keep it.the only thing i wish i could redo is keeping my first nova.please dont make this mistake and good luck on your project;)

Looks like a really nice find. Best of luck!

that's a sweet find man! $800 bones is a good deal, according to the pics. I've sold cars for 3x that in 10x worse condition just because someone wanted the VIN's, etc.

i would leave it the way it sits and make it a wicked sleeper.. granny tires and all...haha...just kidding.

congrats.

was thinking of making a sleeper and leaving the body alone and keeping the baby moon hubcaps and wheels. but I want it to look new and i also want a nice car. im tha same way with my other cars to. thats mainly the reason that i am unhappy with them too. oh and buy the way unless someone makes me an offer that i cant refuse i plan to keep it forever.

you STOLE it alright! Congratulations! :D

Here's my 72, look familiar??? I wish $800 was all I paid...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2112000-2112999/2112473_41_full.jpg

Congrats,very cooool find!! Build it the way you want it. Good luck.....Dan

Where did you find that Nova? Man it looks real familiar but I guess Novas in that color blue are pretty common around here. I know I seen one like that in Dunellen and I know some old guy who had one in his garage for a while.

Thats a great find! Good luck with it. I am currently restoring my 72 6cyl. which I also got for a good price. I have decided to keep it stock for now and rebuild the 250. Let me know what you will be doing with your 6 cyl. after your swap. I live in the Bronx, NY. I personally, like the sleeper look!, but thats just me. I think your ride looks sweet as is. If you get a chance you can check out mine. Good luck!


www.cardomain.com/ride/2447606

wow! same color and everything. was it a 6 cy w/ 3 on the column

Im not planning on keeping the 6 cyl or the 3 speed. i already have a 400 ready to drop in as soon as i get the four speed trans for it.
if you want both of them make me an offer for them they run well. oh and the wheels and hub caps too if you want them. planning on putting cragar street stars on it.
i found the car in winslow NJ it was sitting in someones drive way but looked like it haddent been moved in quite a while. The owner was working on his house outside so i asked him. he didnt want to sell it but his wife wanted it to go away so after 3 weeks of talking ot him he sold me the car. its not bad im gonna register it this week so i can drive it.
I also bought an elcamino last month that way too. it was sitting in a yard and hadent been moved in quite a while and i asked the owner if he wanted to sell. he said yes and i bought the elco for $400 not a bad deal either.http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1258.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1292.jpg

That is a nice Nova at a great price. Have fun with your restoration and keep us informed.

Is the stock 6 cyl. a 250ci? I would be interested in the engine only since my car is auto. Anyway let me know when your finished with the swap and we will talk. I would be willing to pick it up from you no problem. My e-mail is
yllib1961@aol.com Thanks.

welcome to the site
hope you have a fun time rebuilding her
like the others have said take lots of pics and the ppl that help you
james

Awsome find for $800!!I wish I found that!!!BM

I have always liked novas and plan to build this one right. no corners will be cut.

My daily Driver a $3000 score off of e-bay.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DSCF1275.jpg
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where do you live?im moving there.that elky looks awesome,is that the "after"shots or is that how you got it?

Skip school
You can make a mint buying and selling cars.:rolleyes:
Just kidding. hit the books
real sweet finds!

Nice cars and welcome to the site! :)

Scott

where do you live?im moving there.that elky looks awesome,is that the "after"shots or is that how you got it?

I live in South Jersey. I havnt done much to it yet except clean up the engine bay and fron of the car.

Nice ride! Love the steelies!

This is my dads nova back in 74 he bought when it was 4 yrs old from a car dealer in 73 for $900. it was origonally a 6cyl w/ 3 on the column, and forest green. he put a built 350 and 4 speed , and a 12 bolt rear with 5:13 posi rear. he wishes he kept it. he sold it in 79 for $1200 the guy who bought it was scared of it because it had so much power. it was too much for him and he crashed the car not long after my dad sold it ot him. If anyone knows its whereabouts tody please tell me i would like to buy it back for him if it wasent sent to the crusher.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DadsNova1.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/BrokeChevy/DADSNOVA.jpg

Does your dad still look like that today? ;) :D

Very nice Nova! 5:13s huh? Pretty stout! :cool:

Scott

South Jersey eh.....time to hook up the car trailer and drive around ;). Nice find, on both the Elky and the Nova, nice Buick too!

No he nolonger has it he sold it in 79 then the guy he sold it to wrecked it. if anyone knows where it is plesae tell me i would like to buy it for him.

Does your dad still look like that today? ;) :D

Very nice Nova! 5:13s huh? Pretty stout! :cool:

Scott

he no longer has his "hippie" hair.
with the 5:13 it would lift the fron thires off the ground and smoke the rear wheels up into 3rd gear. he sold it because it didnt have subframe connectors and the floors were buckeling.

Started collecting parts will start resto soon. but for now im gonna drive it. Bought buckets and a console, ss Dash w/tach and clock, autometergauge pod w/green cyberdyne digital gauges. looking for black interior parts and body panels soon after christmas.

Stock72Nova,

Where are you in South Jersey? I'm in Cherry Hill.

Stock72Nova,

Where are you in South Jersey? I'm in Cherry Hill.
Monroe Township. Ever been to Fudruckers car shows on Friday Nights??

Monroe Township. Ever been to Fudruckers car shows on Friday Nights??

No, I have not been to those shows. Are they held every Friday during the summer months?

Yep every friday. ever seccond friday of the month is the rollin rods big show night w/ trophies and prizes. They just had the toys for tots show. I think that its the last show for the year. the should start up again in the spring.

Your car just needs a big dent in the door and it would look like the car from "Beverly Hills Cop",that Eddie Murphy drove.

Looks cool,Paul

Your car just needs a big dent in the door and it would look like the car from "Beverly Hills Cop",that Eddie Murphy drove.

Looks cool,Paul

? UM ? Which car??

Finally sold my elcamino. Now I can move the nova into the garage and start tearing it appart.

Got $1000 for the El Camino a 1966 chevelle SS 396 block and 1966 corvette 427 heads not a bad deal for a car that I only paid $400 for a few months ago can finnally start on the Nova. CANT WAIT!!! :D

Wow, nice collection of rides for very sweet prices....I'm jealous :o