1970 Chevy Nova Build

[Young Gun]

So this is going to be my thread where I can update yall on my progress...

These are when I first picked her up and parked her in the garage, broken windows, jammed doors and all :naughty:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/nova001-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/nova003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/nova005-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/nova006-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/nova007-1.jpg

Then after a little more work she finally got here:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419021-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419034-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419051-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419076-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419090-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/250419103-1.jpg

[Young Gun]

I unbolted the rear suspension and front clip and stuck it on a flatbed to get soda blasted and then dipped, it came back from getting dipped today (May 12, 2007):

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121185-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121182-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121172-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121162-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121147-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121129-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/252121118-1.jpg

[formula98]

Great start. The sheet metal looks to be in good shape. keep the posts coming..

[hdesign]

Awesome, it's great to see all these new Nova's lately. Of course, I could be a little biased.

Looks like a great start, be sure to keep us updated!

[69Nova]

Your on Steve's Nova site right? Anyways the car looks good. Lots of fun ahead for you.

[Young Gun]

yah im on steves nova site, thats how i heard about this place

[lftnwhls]

The body looks in awsome shape. Is there any pin holes?
What state did the car come from?

What are the plans for this car?
Wheels ,engine, colour, stance?

[novanutcase]

Glad ya made it Bro!!!:cheers:

You'll find some great info hear on what you're looking for. Don't forget to use the search button!:razz:

BTW, since you dipped it you may want to get into those rockers and recoat the insides with some rust preventative. The acid probably stripped all the old paint off and now it's bare metal! Same goes for all those other areas that are constructed like that! What are your plans for the shell? Are you going to epoxy prime it?

John

[Young Gun]

pin holes? not really sure what you mean haha....well i purchased the car in texas, and before that its been here for at least 10 years i believe he said, but that only puts in into the late 90's so before that Im not really sure, Ill have to do a little research and figure that out...plans...well

The original idea was basically go big or go home, big 454, fully tubbed rear, cage all of that good stuff, but now it has evolved somewhat and currently I am planning on a blown 396 mated to a 6 speed. I plan on minitubbing the rear end and coming up with a 2+2 setup for the interior with buckets all around and some sort of custom center consol for the interiror. The interior is going to be black all around with brushed aluminum accents. The exterior is going to be completely black, no chrome on it except for the wind scoop on the blower, Im planning on a dark black tint on it (havent decided what % tint yet) and im planning on fabbing some sort of custom grill that will hide the lights behind it to create a smoother look, Ive always felt the front of the nova is too choppy so im going to try and rework that, Im also going to try and put the chin of a 69 camaro on it as well as the front bumper, and as well as a front spoiler for it. Hopefully i will be able to get the door handles shaved also. Im planning on running 20 x 12 in the back and 19 x 9 in the front, Im looking at HRE 897 R's annodized black to go on there... the best part about all of this, Ideally it will be done in about 8 months...we all know that isnt going to happen though haha oh yes and the whole car will be painted a nice glossy black, havent decided on teh exact color yet, im in the process of looking at some samples now

[Young Gun]

Glad ya made it Bro!!!:cheers:

You'll find some great info hear on what you're looking for. Don't forget to use the search button!:razz:

BTW, since you dipped it you may want to get into those rockers and recoat the insides with some rust preventative. The acid probably stripped all the old paint off and now it's bare metal! Same goes for all those other areas that are constructed like that! What are your plans for the shell? Are you going to epoxy prime it?

John

I have already coated it with some sort of rust preventative, but its only a temporary solution, im getting it primered and i have to get it sealed as well with 95% humidity in texas... I will be putting in the mini tub this week hopefully and patching the trunk pan, it has a small spot with a number of small holes in it so i need to get that taken care of

[novanutcase]

I like your plan although I do have one question! Why a Blown 396? Do you already have the block for it? What kind of horses are you going for? How do you plan to drive the car? Drag? Road Race? Cruise?(Ah, Crap! That was more than one question!):pat:

John

[Young Gun]

haha yah i already have the 396, yet i have not started the build on that, i have to tear it down and do some work on it, any particular reason you ask? i plan on the car being able to handle well but i also want to be able to take it to the strip and run some good numbers, and i want to be in the mid to high 500's for power, ideally at least

[novanutcase]

Oh! Well, if you already hav the block then I see why! Sounds like you have a good plan! Look into the suspension part of it and ask a lot of questions. This way you'll get the most bang for your buck!

John

[Young Gun]

yah im sure ill have plenty of questions and the suspension im defintly researching, gotta make sure this thing will stick to the ground :D

[dhardison]

Looks like you have a nice solid base with which to start building. I'm a little partial to big-blocks, so I like the blown 396/6-speed idea. Keep the pics coming!

You're going to keep the tall rear shackles right?? LOL - j/j :getout:

[Steve68]

Solid car, lot nicer than mine!

[Young Gun]

so this is a rough rendering another member did for me...its pretty close to what i would like, the only differences would be all the chrome blacked out, including the wheels, as well as a slightly smaller spoiler in the front...and on the front bumper i would like a cutout with an insert to match the grille...but this is what it should look like before it gets blown...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Young Gun]

Update time...

Currently the car is off at the body shop getting some work done, hopefully i can run over and get some pictures soon to show yall where its at...but we have made some significant changes to our plan/ parts list...

DSE Quadralink Rear Suspension
315 mini tubs
DSE Hydroformed Subframe W/ dual adjustable shocks
Baer Claw Gt Plus brake system

color has changed pretty drastically as well...we are thinking of going with a brighter color, maybe an orange or a red

[formula98]

The DSE upgrades sound great. I like the phantom grill. Can't wait to see the progress.

[69Nova]

Paint it some crazy orange/yellow.

[ViperBlue68]

go orange it'll look killer! if I repaint my 72 its goin orange with white stripes...like the strope Z/28 one I love that car!

[Young Gun]

yah I have a few dutch friends...they are definitely pushing the orange idea (for those of you who dont know, dutch people love the color orange) I am thinking of an orange along the line of prowler orange, something with a little more red/ purple to it...I still cant completely decide... Idea's?

[69Nova]

I'm thinking some kind of bright orange...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Young Gun]

haha naw im looking for more of a sappy/ kandy color

[Josh292]

I almost went house of kolor tangelo similar to the color in this picture, but decided to go Kandy apple red with silver stripes

[Young Gun]

I almost went house of kolor tangelo similar to the color in this picture, but decided to go Kandy apple red with silver stripes


i like that color... im looking for something a little darker though

by the way what size are those wheels in the back?

[novanutcase]

Hey Young Gun!

How about this color:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/moneyshot-1.jpg

John

[Young Gun]

I do believe you have hit the nail square on the head so to speak...thats right about what i was looking for :cheers:

[shortrack]

how bout like this......

I love this Nova.....

[tracar91]

I painted my 91 Z 2003 PT cruiser tangerine pearl. Everytime I drive it I get stares, which is exactly what I was going for.

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5566688

Cheers!

[Young Gun]

thanks for the imput guys! im leaning more towards somehting like that tangerine pearl or the prowler orange, maybe sunset orange, but honestly they all look about the same so i think i need to look at them closer to decide what im going to do, I am thinking of having a stripe down the drivers side, but I cant decide if i want to do a black stripe or maybe an off orange color to compliment the orange base...Ideas?

[novanutcase]

Ghost Hockey stripe? Flat Grey metallic stripe?

John

[70TWO NOVA]

Sick, good ideas, my abrother and I also both have Novas and love to see other young guys doing this. We are after all the future of this hobby. Keep up the good work!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:;)

[Young Gun]

nice nova bro...was your car in hot rod by any chance? with a white one as well? looks great by the way man, those are vette wheels on it right?

[jmartz]

I'll give you a girl's opinion...lol...The orange idea is great...You could do a medium orange with a darker orange as a compliment color. I think that would look better than a dark orange with a lighter one. I'd definately go with more of a tomato orange color as compared to a burnt orange color. Isn't Prowler orange a red-orange? Did I type the word orange enough??? :P

[Young Gun]

guys im a little confused at this point...after seeing this nova i kinda want to paint it black again...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

ideas?

[70TWO NOVA]

yeah, my nova is in popular hot rodding next to my brothers (the white one) this month, and the wheels are actually 4th gen Camaro SS wheels.

[Benoit23]

You can't beat that black......

Go with the black!


.

[novanutcase]

Black is certainly a color that is hard NOT to do! It works so well with chrome and polished wheels! If that's what you like then do it!

John

[Young Gun]

its a tough choice...black is pretty nice, but im also considering a candy red at this point as well...i need to get renderings done so that i can figure out what would be best

[jmartz]

Have you thought of a candy dark cherry? You'd get the sleek black look with the red undertones.

[Josh292]

Kandy apple red with a gold base

[Young Gun]

Have you thought of a candy dark cherry? You'd get the sleek black look with the red undertones.

any pictures of this color?

[Young Gun]

im not very good at photoshop but this is kinda what i want...im not sure about the vinyl roof though....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

oh and i put the front of a camaro on there just cause i wanted to see how it would look...ill have to photoshop the proper front back on

[TRILOGYZ28]

mine will definetly have a black vinyl top on it. everybody else discards the vinyl top and i want to bring it back.

[Young Gun]

this is it with the nova front...comments? suggesetions?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[69TAPoser]

I like it. The only thing I would be concerned about is ending up with a "Starsky and Hutch" look to the stripe. How about breaking the stripe up into blocks in the front or the rear? Something like this...?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Phil

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

ive been looking for pics of that black nov..

[Young Gun]

thats sick...yah i was thinkin something that would follow the curve along the lines...im just not good enough at photoshop to do something like that...but i have to agree it was too starsky and hutch

[796spdbu]

trilogy, im with you on the vinyl top my 72 has one and im going to leave it in place.I think ill do mine two tone with black on top and blue down below.that way the top blends in to the paint..sorry young gun for hijacking your thread....id go with the top.I like the broken strip idea...just dont go to mopar with the design....maybe..

[jasonsnova]

http://photosbyjim.smugmug.com/gallery/2985491#161767517-M-LB
probally shouldnt show you this because i really liked it and may do something like this on mine next time i paint it......but here ya go

[Young Gun]

engine pictures!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[70 Chevelle]

All Black

[showa]

Lamborghini Tangerine...

17815

[NvrDun71]

Cool, what are the specs on the Big Block?

[Young Gun]

.750" crank
6.135" forged rods with ARP rod bolts
10 to 1 compression dome top pistons
Seasoned 2-bolt main block
Deck head gasket surface
Hydraulic flat tappet cam with .527"int/.553"exh valve lift
2.070"Int/1.720"Exh valves with high performance springs setup to match cam
1.7 Roller tip rocker arms
Hardened push rods
Perfect Circle rings
Double row timing set
High volume oil pump with welded pickup screen
Spin-on oil filter adapter
1-pc molded rubber oil pan gasket
Brass expansion plugs
Edelbrock Dual Plane Performer aluminum intake manifold

for the carb:
800 cfm AVS Carburetor by Edelbrock

[Young Gun]

ok so i have not updated this in almost 4 months...but here is where we are at...

having spoken to the body man its looking like its gonna be expensive...close to 20k is the best estimate ive gotten out of all the reputable shops within 100 miles that i know about, it appeared that there was a little more work than we had anticipated so it came up being about twice as much as we had planned on...my dad an I are spending extra time working on welding trying to get to a point where we will be comfortable doing the body work ourselves and not having it fall apart driving down the road...so right now we hoping to start the actual body work within a two month timeframe...any ways i will post up pictures as soon as i get a chance

[muthstryker]

wow, what do the shops charge an hour? i was quoted 15k to get all the body work done and ready for paint..

[Young Gun]

well that is also the installation of a quadralink and minitubs...and yah it would be all prepped for paint

[SixSpeed454SS]

Nice Project

[Young Gun]

Nice Project

thanks im getting a rendering done now and ill put it up in a few weeks so everybody can see where she will be going:camaro:

[Smock67]

Sweet i can't wait to see your rendering

[Footjoy]

I am inspired to get back to work on my 70 Nova. keep the post coming.

[Young Gun]

yah man nova's are starting to take over!!!!! hahah looks like youve got more to start with than I had...I need to pick up a body dolly to move her around the garage...anybody know if summit sells them??

[ZVT]

thanks im getting a rendering done now and ill put it up in a few weeks so everybody can see where she will be going:camaro:

Almost done with it :camaro: :smashcomp

[Young Gun]

Almost done with it :camaro: :smashcomp

and its looking amazing so far!!!!

[Memphis]

im not very good at photoshop but this is kinda what i want...im not sure about the vinyl roof though....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

oh and i put the front of a camaro on there just cause i wanted to see how it would look...ill have to photoshop the proper front back on
check this out
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
from http://www.problemchildkustoms.com

[muthstryker]

young gun, i had the restoration shop my car was at build mine was 300$s, maybe check some shops around your area to see if anyone can make one. However the do look pretty simple to make



Memphis, brian does amazing work, im supposed to get some done for my GTO but every time i have the money something comes up and i cant get them!

[novanutcase]

YG!

Rotisserie if that's the way you want to go!

http://www.harwoodperformance.bizland.com/1941buick/Editorial_20.htm

John