[Chris62Nova]

Currently building, or should I say rebuilding, a 1962 Chevy II Nova. This was my Dad's dream car growing up and I would like to surprise him with it this summer. Since being stationed at JBLM, and close to home, I began looking for a project Nova for him and this is what I found. As you can see, this was a former drag car, and was quite beat to death. My plan is to restore it back to a reasonable condition. I'll start with the floorboards, move to the quarter panels, trunk pan and then the rest of the panels.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Luckily the remnants of the floorboards came out relatively easily.

 

[NorCal63]

hope that you have a warm shop for Winter. lots of welding fun

 

[Chris62Nova]

While repairing the floors I took the time to straighten the subframe. Looks like years of improper lifting of the car.

 

[Chris62Nova]

hope that you have a warm shop for Winter. lots of welding fun

I actually ended up just buying a heater. I don't know why it took me so long hahahaha

 

[Chris62Nova]

Driver's side toe board repair.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Passenger side toe board. Only issue was that each toe board was missing about 3/4 of sheet metal that extends the lap joint where the floorboard meets the toe board. Luckily, I was able to use the excess metal from trimming the toe board.

 

[Chris62Nova]

First time repairing a speaker vent. I couldn't find a replacement one, so I decided to repair what I had. Grateful the welder didn't blow out the single piece I welded in.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Rear frame rail repair. Again, unfortunately they do not make a small repair section, so I tried my best to replicate what I think it is supposed to look like.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Finally finished with some of the repairs, I fit and welded the floorboards. I'm trying out the Speedokote line of refinishing products. This is their epoxy primer.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Sorry for the photo dump. Quite busy with work and this project. Will post the completed passenger side quarter panel, outer wheelhouse and trunk extension/crossbar repair later.

 

[Rusty63]

nice work.

man, someone really, really liked green.

-Rusty

 

[acd65post]

You are making great progress. Keep the pictures coming and best of luck with your project.

 

[mc1984ss]

Man that is a lot of green!!!!! Looks like you know what you are doing, great job your dad will love it!

Before I read all your comments I thought man I wish my front frame rails looked that nice. Nice are all beat up from years of previous owners being careless.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Chris62Nova]

nice work.

man, someone really, really liked green.

-Rusty

Yeah, you're not kidding. They got it literally EVERYWHERE! It's going metallic blue, probably Nassau.

 

[Chris62Nova]

You are making great progress. Keep the pictures coming and best of luck with your project.

Thank you! I am trying my best to be done by summer.

 

[Chris62Nova]

Man that is a lot of green!!!!! Looks like you know what you are doing, great job your dad will love it!

Before I read all your comments I thought man I wish my front frame rails looked that nice. Nice are all beat up from years of previous owners being careless.

Keep up the good work!

Yeah, I wish mine were untouched. I think mine look close enough to factory that he'll have a hell of a time trying to compare them. We'll see!

 

[Chris62Nova]

So this was the repair I did for the firewall, where the blower motor goes. Unfortunately, I could not find a repair section so I used a section of the driver's side quarter panel where the fuel cap goes to replicate the lip around the motor. I don't think he'll know the difference.

 

[Twisted6]

You're doing an AWESOME Job.

 

[buccflyer]

Super nice work. Love seeing it brought back to original. What a fun challenge. Keep us posted on progress.