1970 Chevrolet Nova in Ft Worth, Texas

Vehicle Description

It's no secret that we're fans of sleepers here at Streetside Classics. You know, those cars that carry big horsepower in an unassuming package designed to catch their prey asleep at the wheel. Chevy Novas have always been popular candidates, with a vast majority of them carrying mild six-cylinder engines and living the lives of grocery-getters for grandma. They're also lightweight, and taking weight out is like putting horsepower in.

But this 1970 Chevrolet Nova ain't no sleeper.

Instead, it's one of the coolest compact Chevys we've ever featured, a brilliantly executed resto-mod that puts its performance credentials out in the open where everyone can see them. With this nasty black coupe, you'll have all the attention you could ever want, and the performance to back up the car's awesome good looks. Bodywork is expertly done, and this is one of the straightest Novas we've ever featured. The car was clearly disassembled for the paint work, because there's no trace of the original finish anywhere. They kept the original hood, which has those cool chrome inserts, and added the appropriate SS badging, including the '396' emblems on the front fenders that are about 100 cubes shy of the mark. The chrome is nicely finished, and despite the resto-mod aspects of the car, the body is completely stock and the bright work is as the factory intended. Sometimes real talent lies in what you don't change as much as in what you do.

The all-black interior is all about the serious business of performance. That means no heavy bucket seats or power-robbing A/C or bulky stereo gear. Despite the upgrades under the hood, light weight was definitely a consideration during the build, and things like a center console were left out, and the trick shifter with a cue ball knob does look awfully butch sticking out of the transmission tunnel like that. The basic original gauges have been augmented by mechanical temperature and oil pressure gauges under the dash and a column-mounted tach. Door panels, the dash pad, and the headliner are in excellent condition, reminding us that light weight doesn't mean cut rate. Heck, even the original radio is still in the dash!

Lift up that cowl induction hood and you'll find a sparkling engine bay full of big block Chevy V8. Built using all the good stuff, this is no stock motor with some dress up parts, this is a 496 cubic inch street brawler ready for action. Under that billet aluminum air cleaner is a Quick Fuel 4-barrel carb atop an Edelbrock intake manifold, a combination that's been winning races for decades. The block has been painted black and the heads are aluminum Brodix square port units, because a car like this isn't about keeping secrets. There's a Scat crank and rods, forged pistons, a Howard cam, and roller rockers inside. A set of long-tube Hooker headers feed a true dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers and turn-downs just behind the rear wheels, so it doesn't advertise. Underneath, you'll find clean floors, a fresh Tremec 6-speed gearbox, and a Hotchkis suspension with traction bars out back. The finishing touch are cool factory SS wheels with 235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Somebody sank a lot of money into this car and it shows. Detailing is very good, and the overall finish will attract a lot of attention at shows and on the street. So maybe sneaking around with dog dish hubcaps and a mouse gray paint job is overrated. Who wouldn't want to be seen in a car like this? Call today!