Vehicle Description
The recipe is almost as old as the automobile itself. Take a fast
engine, mate it to a capable transmission that can handle all the
power, and stuff it into the smallest, lightest body you can live
with. This dialed-in 1974 Chevrolet Nova takes that formula to the
next level as a very potent X-body that's both beautifully built
and very fast. With 454 cubes under the hood, an upgraded
suspension, a sporty bucket-seat interior, and an uber-cool Matte
Gray paint job, this Nova is literally and figuratively hitting on
all cylinders. This tough-guy on wheels is a head-turning muscle
car that's ready for some fun.
Purposely built to attract loads of attention, this slick Nova was
professionally dressed in a modern coat of Matte Gray paint that
looks positively sinister, especially augmented with the Yenko
stripe kit on the hood and profile. In addition to the sYc decals,
you've probably noticed that the front end has been upgraded too,
swapped in favor of the much more attractive
grille/headlight/bumper combination from the 3rd generation Nova. A
cowl hood was added and the tail panel was blacked-out to match,
and the flat black and flat gray color combination seems to work
better on the Nova body style than any other muscle car. Like the
'Black Hole' section at an old Raider's game, or Pat Benatar's
leather jacket, this car carries a swagger like that. Overall, the
finish is in great shape, with only minor imperfections to speak of
but certainly clean enough for this dialed-in driver to back up all
that curb appeal. From what we can tell it's been a solid car all
its life, so it likely didn't take a lot of work to make it this
straight, although it's a lot nicer than the factory workmanship of
the mid-'70s generally was. Good gaps all around indicate that
someone knew what they were doing and cared enough to spend a lot
of time getting it all lined up just right, and the doors and trunk
open and close with precision thanks to newer weather-stripping.
The SS-package was only a minor trim option by 1974 and there's no
way of knowing whether this one was originally born an SS without a
factory build sheet (although we're leaning toward it just being a
solid, straight-up Custom Nova hatchback), but it's certainly got
the look with SS badge in the grille, further punctuated by the
'Hurst' and '454' badges on the front fenders. Not many people will
be messing with this bruiser at a red light. Chrome bumpers fore
and aft are beautifully done and likely new reproduction items, and
the rest of the brightwork and trim has been polished and is in
great condition too, especially when it sparkles in the sun against
the matte paint.
Inside, you'll find a black vinyl bucket seat interior, which
always works in a slick car like this with lighter paint and dark
stripes. The B&M shifter sticking out of the transmission
tunnel has a cool industrial look and handles the gear changes, a
middle console adds storage space and cup holders, and the big
vinyl dash is free of cracks and looks original. The original
gauges are still in the factory bezel, now augmented by a
tachometer mounted at eye-level and a trio of auxiliary gauges
hanging down low to help monitor the engine's vitals. A retro-style
AM/FM stereo lives in the dash and provides the entertainment, and
there's an SS steering wheel atop a tilt column that sports
woodgrain in the center to add a splash of color inside. There's
more woodgrain on the otherwise blacked-out door panels, plush
black carpets line the floors, and a taut perforated headliner
above all tie the entire cabin in together nicely. And for a little
trivia, those are 'intertial reel' seatbelts up front, and in the
early part of 1974 it was an NHTSA safety mandate that the car
wouldn't start until the driver's belt was clicked on (this was
later repealed by Congress and many had the weight-sensitive relay
removed/bypassed). There you have it, some more boring knowledge to
share with your loved ones. Out back, the spacious hatch area is
nicely finished with matching black carpets and houses a pair of
aftermarket speakers.
Under the hood, you'll find a stout 454 V8 powering this Nova, and
it's been professionally installed to look like it always belonged.
Chevy Orange enamel coats the block, the Chevrolet valve covers,
the intake, and even the air cleaner, so the engine really pops out
of from the black inner fenders and firewall, and it's been
detailed to show off. There's a big Holley Performance 4-barrel
carburetor up top, and long-tube headers at the flanks that dump
into a thumping X-pipe Hooker dual exhaust system, and if there's
one word to describe the mechanicals in this car, it's STRONG. The
motor cranks with ease thanks to an HEI ignition and distributor,
while a big aluminum radiator up front keeps the big motor nice and
cool. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission spins a 10-bolt that
should last virtually forever in this lightweight package, and the
suspension has been upgraded with upper and lower tubular A-arms up
front, a big front sway bar, and subframe connectors and traction
bars out back. The result is a very manageable car on modern roads,
especially with the addition of power steering and Wilwood front
disc brakes. Hurst wheels complete the slick package and wear
staggered 235/60/15 front and 255/50/15 rear blackwall radials.
Always popular with Chevy fans, this Nova is a great-looking,
practical, and surprisingly fast car that will make you smile every
time you turn the key. Call today!
