'The Sweetie' - TCI Engineering's '63 Hardtop Nova

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

Many of you have seen this car at SoCal events and at the shop with Evan our Sales Manager behind the wheel. It is a mostly unmolested sans some bolt on CPP goodies. This car was handed down to him by his father after he passed. For years he was hesitant to modify the car for sentimental reasons. With all the new Pro Touring parts available he gave way to temptation and decided it was time to throw down. Follow along as this car goes from a family cruiser to an autocross bruiser ON A VERY TIGHT BUDGET.

We have dubbed the car "The Sweetie" because it is such a sweetheart of a car.



Plans:
10 bolt Torque Arm suspension
Pro Touring tubular front clip
Used LSx/tranny
Bucket seats
wheels/tires

Here is a shot of Evan holding a picture of his father. The picture travels with the car wherever it goes.










-J

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

Evan ended up stealing the 9" rear axle out of Sal's '66 since Sal's car is now mini-tubbed.

Evan was doing the work down the street at James Crosby's shop since our lifts were occupied.













-J

[rustomatic]

That's a great looking car--something should be done to keep the look/presence of those steelies...

[coolwelder62]

Very Nice.Can't wait too see more.

[Anchor]

This will be sick when done. Such a sleeper. What wheels? Cragar D windows? :P

[LowFast]

I say widen the steel wheels for a stock look, or use a similar aluminum design in a larger diameter if needed for brake clearance.

[dontlifttoshift]

Evan should leave the straight six in there so he doesn't hurt himself.....

That is definitely a sweetheart of a car.

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

I am with you guys on keeping a steelie looking wheel on it. Evan doesn't really care either way, so long as they are cheap. LOL

Donny,

If the straight 6 would fit with the P/T clip in place he would keep it in there. However, he already has a 700R4 in it so the 5.3 sitting in his garage is the likely choice.

-J

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

Evan got back to work on the car this weekend. He yanked the stock clip and installed the P/T.

He is still undecided on which engine he is going to use though.



-J

[SparkyRnD]

let me know if ya'll need a radiator for that, as we make them as a bolt-in for both the 6-cylinder and the V8 / LS conversions.

[Martin71RS]

Hi J,

good to see another Nova build here :-)

Martin

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

It's show season so there is very little time to work on the Nova but I think these items might spark some motivation.









-J

[69*Goat]

Nice Cn'C port job!!!

[HighOctane]

Subscribing. Interested to know how low the budget will be in the end. The wife has a 63 Nova SS Vert the same color that may be up for very similar mods.

Great looking hardtop!

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

The Sweetie is slowly but surely coming together.

The tranny was just rebuilt. All the brake lines have been plumbed. He picked up a carburetor the other day that needs a rebuild. The engine is being assembled now.

There's an aluminum core support hiding in there.



















-Jason

[Ron.in.SoCal]

You guys produce very pretty cars.

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

Engine assembly has begun.



















This wasn't originally part of the plan but DSE hooked Evan up with some deep tubs so it's time to start cutting it up. Our shop if completey backed up with custom chassis builds so Evan took the car over Pomona Valley Customs to have them install the tubs.





-Jason

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

Evan took the car home last week with the tubs installed. Now he can get back to work on getting this thing road worthy.











-J

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

^^^With 11" brakes

13" Wilwood brakes are installed









-J

[Sales-TCI-Eng]

The Sweetie is getting very close to completion.

A short video backing it out of the shop open header.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgXi...rdmGfxpvg0DH0g

-J