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







Then after a little more work she finally got here:

[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):

[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!!!

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

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!!!

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

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!)

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

[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...

[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.