Vehicle Description
It's no secret that we're fans of sleepers here at Streetside
Classics. You know, those cars that carry big horsepower in an
unassuming package designed to catch their prey asleep at the
wheel. Chevy Novas have always been popular candidates, with a vast
majority of them carrying mild six-cylinder engines and living the
lives of grocery-getters for grandma. They're also lightweight, and
taking weight out is like putting horsepower in.
But this 1970 Chevrolet Nova ain't no sleeper.
Instead, it's one of the coolest compact Chevys we've ever
featured, a brilliantly executed resto-mod that puts its
performance credentials out in the open where everyone can see
them. With this nasty black coupe, you'll have all the attention
you could ever want, and the performance to back up the car's
awesome good looks. Bodywork is expertly done, and this is one of
the straightest Novas we've ever featured. The car was clearly
disassembled for the paint work, because there's no trace of the
original finish anywhere. They kept the original hood, which has
those cool chrome inserts, and added the appropriate SS badging,
including the '396' emblems on the front fenders that are about 100
cubes shy of the mark. The chrome is nicely finished, and despite
the resto-mod aspects of the car, the body is completely stock and
the bright work is as the factory intended. Sometimes real talent
lies in what you don't change as much as in what you do.
The all-black interior is all about the serious business of
performance. That means no heavy bucket seats or power-robbing A/C
or bulky stereo gear. Despite the upgrades under the hood, light
weight was definitely a consideration during the build, and things
like a center console were left out, and the trick shifter with a
cue ball knob does look awfully butch sticking out of the
transmission tunnel like that. The basic original gauges have been
augmented by mechanical temperature and oil pressure gauges under
the dash and a column-mounted tach. Door panels, the dash pad, and
the headliner are in excellent condition, reminding us that light
weight doesn't mean cut rate. Heck, even the original radio is
still in the dash!
Lift up that cowl induction hood and you'll find a sparkling engine
bay full of big block Chevy V8. Built using all the good stuff,
this is no stock motor with some dress up parts, this is a 496
cubic inch street brawler ready for action. Under that billet
aluminum air cleaner is a Quick Fuel 4-barrel carb atop an
Edelbrock intake manifold, a combination that's been winning races
for decades. The block has been painted black and the heads are
aluminum Brodix square port units, because a car like this isn't
about keeping secrets. There's a Scat crank and rods, forged
pistons, a Howard cam, and roller rockers inside. A set of
long-tube Hooker headers feed a true dual exhaust system with
Flowmaster mufflers and turn-downs just behind the rear wheels, so
it doesn't advertise. Underneath, you'll find clean floors, a fresh
Tremec 6-speed gearbox, and a Hotchkis suspension with traction
bars out back. The finishing touch are cool factory SS wheels with
235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.
Somebody sank a lot of money into this car and it shows. Detailing
is very good, and the overall finish will attract a lot of
attention at shows and on the street. So maybe sneaking around with
dog dish hubcaps and a mouse gray paint job is overrated. Who
wouldn't want to be seen in a car like this? Call today!
