Vehicle Description
Instead of being content with a pre-existing 'genre' or an existing
set of muscle car standards, Alex Covington and the team at the
Roadster Shop decided to take a whole new approach with this 1967
Chevy Nova. Originally, Covington wanted just a unique looking
Nova, but after seeing the direction the Roadster Shop was heading
with his ride, he gave them the thumbs up to build a one-of-a-kind
Nova. Armed with a belief that true progress in design can only
come with taking risks and stepping outside comfort zones, the
Roadster Shop set out to build a Nova that was like nothing else
that ever came before it.
BUILD/APPEARANCE
The '67 Nova may have started life more as a grocery getter than
performance machine, but it quickly was given the name Innovator
based on its build. The Roadster Shop built the Innovator as an
example of where the hot rod and the custom industry could possibly
head in the coming years. It's clear when you look at the Innovator
it's definitely a "concept rod." Almost every piece of this
pristine ride has been handcrafted or purpose made for this
vehicle. The results are phenomenal, and we aren't the only ones
who think so. In 2011, the Innovator received the highly sought
after Street Machine of the Year award from Goodguys.
The build started with a '67 Nova body that was in extremely rough
shape. The team at the Roadster Shop cut out the floors, and then
put the Nova on a rotisserie and had the body media blasted. From
there the body received a tremendous amount of work: The top was
chopped � of an inch, the fenders were re-profiled, and the main
mid-section body line was completely removed and new accent lines
were created over each wheel opening. New bumpers were made along
with rocker extensions and front and rear diffusers. From there the
team incorporated a modern circuit board inspired pattern
throughout the entire car and in the paint design. The futuristic
circuit board theme starts with a custom grille that captures
everyone's attention. The pattern then continues as an accent down
the glossy white doors, and up the flat black hood.
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
To receive an award like the Street Machine of the Year, you know
that lying under the hood has to be some serious power. And the
Innovator doesn't disappoint. Lift the hood and you will find a 454
cubic inch Mast Motorsports LS series small block. Based on a GMPP
454 cubic inch LSX, the block was bored to 4.185 inches, the LS7
aluminum cast heads were CNC-ported, and a custom hydraulic roller
cam was installed to help the engine create an incredible 700hp at
6,700RPMs and 611lb./ft. of torque at 4,900RPMs. However, the first
thing you notice is how the engine bay is nothing like you have
seen before. The engine hides under a custom engine shroud and a
custom radiator core support, while to the sides of the engine are
custom inner fenders. The stock hood hinges have been replaced with
custom vents to ensure the engine stays cool. They all combine to
create a look under the hood that is incredible. Spent gases travel
through custom 1.875 inch long-tube headers through 3-inch
collectors and exit out of Borla Mufflers to create an incredible
sound. Bolted to the block is a Centerforce clutch and a Tremec
T-56 Magnum transmission that sends the power to a Roadster Shop
custom 9-inch with a Detroit Trutrac differential that houses a
3.90 gear.
The Nova just doesn't look incredible and pack a ton of power, it
was built to push the limits of cornering ability. The very first
time it hit the pavement was at the autocross course at the 2011
GoodGuys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. On its maiden voyage, the
incredible Innovator posted a time of 35.30 seconds around the
tricky course. Even though that was the first time the Innovator
had seen the cones, the time would stand as the best of all the
Street Machine Finalists. It wasn't too much longer that it was
crowned the 2011 Street Machine of the Year.
The great handling that was on display at Columbus comes courtesy
of a custom Roadster Shop Fast Track frame and suspension. The
custom frame includes main rails that allowed for the
aforementioned Borla dual side exhausts. At all four corners you
will find AFCO remote reservoir adjustable coil-overs that not only
provide great handling, but give the Nova an incredible stance. In
the front of the car you'll find a Speedway sway bar, custom
control arms, and C6 Corvette spindles. In the rear, the custom
9-inch is held in place by a custom 3-Link suspension and a rear
Speedway sway bar. Stopping power comes thanks to custom Baer
Extreme + 14-inch rotors and six piston calipers on both the front
and rears. The Nova rides on custom 18" and 20" Roadster Shop seven
spoke rims that have been wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport
rubber.
INTERIOR
While the body features a lot of rigid angles and hard lines, the
interior is much more inviting with smooth rounded surfaces. Open
the doors and you'll be greeted by a completely custom one-off
interior that is just as unique as the rest of the build. The
headliner and floor are illuminated by fiber-optic lighting, and
the stitching has been done in such a way to include the circuit
board pattern. Two Sparco bucket seats provide a great place to log
miles from. In front of the driver are two custom gauges that
create a 3-d floating effect by having the numbers printed on the
back of the lenses of the tach and speedometer. Between the gauges
sits a Bespoke digital readout interface that displays everything
from coolant temperature to oil pressure. Between the driver and
passenger is a GPS navigation system, and a custom Roadster Shop
shifter. The Roadster Shop also added a full cage for not only
safety but also chassis rigidity. Every detail, big or small, has
been scrutinized and thought about inside this vehicle. Even the
pedals were CNC'd with the custom circuit board pattern.
DOCUMENTATION
The sale of the Innovator includes a multitude of build
documentation.
Throughout the entire car the Innovator lives up to its namesake,
it impresses inside and out. This '67 Nova may have had very humble
beginnings but today it sits as an award winning ride that is
capable of beating you on the � or on the autocross. Don't miss
your chance to own this incredible ride. Call today, or stop by our
showroom for an up close look at the 2011 Street Machine of the
Year.
SUMMARY
2011 Goodguys Street Machine of the Year
700HP Mast Motorsports 454 cubic inch LSX
Tremec T-56 Magnum Manual Transmission
Custom Roadster Shop 9-inch Rear-End With 3.90 Gear
Custom One-Off Interior
Custom Roadster Shop Fast Track Frame
AFCO Remote Reservoir Coil-overs
Custom Baer Six Piston Brakes
Custom Roadster Shop Seven Spoke 18" and 20" Rims
Almost every component was handcrafted or purpose made for the
Nova