72 Nova Project ReduX

[k72nova]

Decided to start a thread here and hopefully track my progress, I’ve had my ’72 since I was 16 and it’s been under construction in one way or another since I was roughly 18 which was back in 2002. This first post will have pictures from when I pulled the car apart a couple years ago to finally do a real restoration. Lots of pictures that I’m not uploading like replacing the driver quarter panel, adding mini tubs, patching the passenger quarter panel, and replacing the tail light panel.

This is the car before I pulled it apart.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/TmKBVl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/LrGSll-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/32Zgpl-1.jpg

What I found while sanding the car down… Original owner swore up and down that the car had never been to a body shop and sat in a garage for 20 years….

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/YhX1Ql-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/JRiFBl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/8tNP1l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/e98VCl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/hn3Lel-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/libJ9l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/SXzeItZl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/pgd5i7Wl-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/Sf2eMMLl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/nr5iT3Vl-1.jpg

Speedtech Torque Arm, and Ridetech Front
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/oN4UqB3l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/gdAJA1rl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/Hc3IPwhl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/VuQiDOql-1.jpg

Firewall Replaced
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/tPY7BGDl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/wky6bg4l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/CyJ91d8l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/Ku0do4ll-1.jpg

Undercoating done (Raptor Liner)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/rpAIdeIl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/rmtJ9HNl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/0u0E7Yil-1.jpg

Front Brakes 14” Rotors

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/dl2uWDBl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/6mnx8yll-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/vLjGLwtl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/q9TieTbl-1.jpg

Rear end Painted and assembled.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/iwPpfmBl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/ssOdCLnl-1.jpg

Not quite how the car sits at this moment but this will essentially be the stance… I’d like to get the front end a little lower, that will mean modifying the front fenders, and fender wells.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/01/cfs7D3jl-1.jpg

[csouth]

Nice... Love Novas...

[slimjim]

the weld wheels look great on that

[X65_300X]

Looks killer. Keep us updated!

[eze_1978]

Nice build. Look like we are running the same suspension set up. I have the full Ridetech front suspension and Rear Speedtech Torque arm. I was wondering what the specs of the wheels you are running? Are they staggered sizes? What backspace did you got with? I narrowed my rear end 2 in each side. In the market for rims now and was trying to get an idea of what I should run. Those rims look great on the Nova.

[k72nova]

Nice build. Look like we are running the same suspension set up. I have the full Ridetech front suspension and Rear Speedtech Torque arm. I was wondering what the specs of the wheels you are running? Are they staggered sizes? What backspace did you got with? I narrowed my rear end 2 in each side. In the market for rims now and was trying to get an idea of what I should run. Those rims look great on the Nova.

Thanks! Sorry for the late response, the rears are 18x12 with a 4.7" backspacing, the fronts are 18x9 with a 5.6" backspacing, I bought my wheels and then narrowed the rear end to fit them, the backspacing on the rear makes the suspension and brakes a tight fit but it should all work out, hopefully.

[k72nova]

I told myself that I’d keep this updated as often as I could and I failed…. The Nova is now drivable other than waiting on some new plates and registration, I have one or two small things to finish up and it will be on the road, and of course no car project is ever finished so there will be much more work that is done to the car in the future but I had to get at least one update in here.

This is the car to this point…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/dUj87OUl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/hkwJE7wl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/YwRdIpMl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/RutYTdel-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/HVb8t1El-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/2WjjTVQl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/jeldUB1l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/11bp3fxl-1.jpg



To sum up this project, I lost my father to leukemia when I was 12 years old, within a year or so of his passing I found a photo album of his first car which was a ’72 Nova, I asked my mom about it and she told me all about the fun and trouble her and my dad would get into when they were teenagers with the car. I decided at that point that my first car would also be a ’72 Nova, and I would restore it as a tribute to him. The following are the pictures I found when I was a kid that inspired me to build this car, I wish it didn’t take me almost 20 years but I’m happy I was able to finish this car for myself as a reminder and tribute to him.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/hoQUse6l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/2qI2LFAl-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/CdAwir7l-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/06/kf9TF5gl-1.jpg

[JayinMI]

The car is gorgeous. That blue is amazing. What color is it?

Jay

[David Sloan]

cool story and tribute to your dad. Nice job on the car looks great.

[TheBandit]

WOW. Stellar stellar job. The end result is just awesome and what a great tribute to your dad. I am so sorry you lost him and can't enjoy this car and his nostalgia with it, but it is a great tribute and wonderful way to feel connected while creating your own new memories.

The color scheme and the way this car sits are just perfect. I love it. Looks incredibly clean inside and out. BRAVO!

[Crazy Horse]

The car is gorgeous. That blue is amazing. What color is it?

Jay


Yes!, Yes! and Yes?

[Gmachine1911]

Beautiful ride, well done! Your Dad would be proud without a doubt.

[rchaskin]

Man, that thing looks awesome...
I thought I would never say this...But I really like the black bumpers and trim!!

You can definitely get into some trouble in old Novas, i have had mine since '92.

[eze_1978]

Looks great! Nice job [emoji1303]

[k72nova]

Thanks for the compliments they mean a lot! I’ve followed all of your builds and pulled a lot of inspiration and motivation from them, it’s not easy keeping a project car going but looking through all your build threads kept my progression moving.


The car is gorgeous. That blue is amazing. What color is it?

Jay
Thanks!, the color is Chevrolet Rhythm & Blue/Elkhart Lake Blue GS7


Man, that thing looks awesome...
I thought I would never say this...But I really like the black bumpers and trim!!

You can definitely get into some trouble in old Novas, i have had mine since '92.

Thanks! I really wasn’t sure they would turn out nice, but I figured screw it, the bumpers weren't as straight as I wanted initially so if they turn out bad I’ll buy new chrome!

[TheBandit]

Did you paint the trim or is it vinyl wrap? The trend to black out or body color the trim definitely brings a modern look to the car. In this case it works really well with the blue. There's lots to love about your build but for some reason the colors are really grabbing my attention. Hope to see and hear a lot more about your car.

Your dads car is a period correct beast. I love the fog lights mounted on the bumper, the roof rack, and the big air horns under the hood. Is that a PA speaker mounted above the heater box? I see his had California plates. Where are you at now?

[WILWAXU]

Great job! Car looks awesome!

[builttodrive]

Very Nice! Clean, simple, and a head turner.

[k72nova]

Did you paint the trim or is it vinyl wrap? The trend to black out or body color the trim definitely brings a modern look to the car. In this case it works really well with the blue. There's lots to love about your build but for some reason the colors are really grabbing my attention. Hope to see and hear a lot more about your car.

Your dads car is a period correct beast. I love the fog lights mounted on the bumper, the roof rack, and the big air horns under the hood. Is that a PA speaker mounted above the heater box? I see his had California plates. Where are you at now?


I painted the trim, I used SEM Trim Black. Yep that's a PA, I'm in Northern Utah now, born in CA but the family moved to Utah when I was a kid and I like the cost of living here haha.

[1965gp]

Car looks great- as others have said I love the blacked out trim

[Kenova]

Well done.
I'm sure you have had Mom out for a spin, yes?

Ken

[Timmyboy2]

Man...that’s awesome. Super awesome build with great meaning. I’m voting you put a Yakima roof rack on it! It would go great with the blacked out trim. Thanks for sharing.

[Bobbywracing]

Badass build , sweet setup. I went with the S-70s and very happy with the looks on the nova.

[k72nova]

Well done.
I'm sure you have had Mom out for a spin, yes?

Ken

Unfortunately not yet, I've run into a handful of problems with the car, from rubbing the wheel too hard trying to get it out of the driveway, overheating, rear end, or possibly transmission whining... rear end, power steering, and now transmission leaks.. I have some of that under control now and I've taken the car around the neighborhood enough times for the initial break in that's recommended for the truetrac. Mom's about a half hour away so the plan is to try and make it out there this weekend.