INTRODUCTION: This is the ultimate sleeper! At first glance, it
looks like a simple grocery getter with its 2 door sedan body,
subdued color and poverty wheels. Even under the hood, it has the
appearance of an old school L79 327. But hidden beneath the mild
mannered look is an LS2 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission,
backed by upgraded suspension and brakes that make this Nova every
bit as capable as it is unsuspecting.
EXTERIOR: Okay, who borrowed Grandma's car?! Actually, this post
sedan presents itself very nicely. There's no rust or damage
showing, and it's been repainted its original Granada Gold, a
subdued color with a tasteful metallic that has a glossy finish.
There are a few minor imperfections, but nothing that detracts from
the car's overall beautiful appearance. The chrome and trim are
bright and shiny throughout, and it features dual bowtie mirrors
along with tinted glass. Now, the stance and wheels might tip off a
real car guy that there's more here than meets the eye. It's
sitting on steel wheels painted body color with poverty hubcaps for
the perfect sleeper look. Wrapped around them are performance
tires, including extra wide street slicks in the back, giving this
Nova a serious bite when the power hits.
INTERIOR: The interior keeps things simple and clean, but it's
restored very nicely throughout. The carpet, upholstery, headliner,
door panels, and trim all have a fresh appearance. But then you
notice something that definitely doesn't belong in Grandma's
grocery getter... a 6-speed shifter sticking out of the floor! The
bench seat has even been neatly notched to accommodate it. The
Retro Tech gauges look stock and really come to life when the car
is turned on. It also features a tilt column with a deluxe steering
wheel. The air conditioning vents and controls are cleanly
integrated into the dash, along with a stereo system featuring
speakers in the doors and rear shelf.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: This is what makes this Nova so cool! Your
first reaction is, "Oh, it's got a 327 under the hood." But no,
hiding in plain sight is an LS2 topped with LS3 heads, ported and
fed by a Holley EFI system. It was dyno tuned to produce 435
horsepower and 352 lbs of torque at the rear wheels, which
translates to well over 500 horsepower at the crank. It's cleverly
dressed to keep the vintage vibe with an aluminum intake, aluminum
valve covers, and a dual snorkel chrome air cleaner sitting on top.
The front of the engine features a recently installed blacked out
runner serpentine system with modern accessories including the
alternator, mini A/C compressor, and Holley power steering. It
stays cool thanks to an oversized aluminum radiator and electric
fan. Other upgrades include a Wilwood master cylinder, evil
engineering overflow bottle and Elite Engineering catch can system.
The details are impressive throughout, right down to the washer
fluid system being hooked up, a Delco battery topper on the
battery, and neatly finished painted metal surfaces. Overall, it's
a very clean, thoughtfully detailed engine compartment.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT: You won't find Grandma's groceries in this
trunk! Instead, you'll find a custom subwoofer enclosure loaded
with two JL Audio subs and an amplifier. The compartment itself is
clean metal painted black and fitted with a custom cut carpeted mat
for a tidy appearance. Under the trunk lid, it's still wearing its
original factory Granada Gold paint, a cool reminder of the car's
roots.
UNDERSIDE: It is a completely restored and extensively upgraded
chassis built to deliver serious performance and handling. Up front
is a full CPP suspension system featuring tubular control arms, a
fatter sway bar, and rebuilt steering for a tight, responsive feel.
Frame connectors with a tubular center support tie the car together
from front to back, helping eliminate body twist and giving the
chassis a much more solid foundation. Out back is a performance
four-link suspension with tubular control arms and double
adjustable coilover gas shocks for excellent traction and ride
control. It has a stainless Pypes exhaust system with an X-pipe
that gives it a deep, aggressive tone. The fuel system is
completely new with the pump mounted inside the tank and fully
compatible with the fuel injected motor. Braking is handled by a
Wilwood system with drilled and slotted disc brakes at all four
wheels along with a custom emergency brake assembly. Looking up at
the motor, it's clean Chevy Orange and fitted with a high torque
starter. Power is transferred through a Tremec Magnum 6-speed
manual transmission and custom driveshaft leads to a 4.10 posi rear
end fitted with a performance launch girdle cover. The floors and
braces are all clean, solid metal that were properly prepped and
coated in a durable chip guard finish for long lasting protection
and a detailed appearance.
SERVICE: We take pride in our cars and our reputation. Every
vehicle goes through our service department where it is inspected,
test driven, and we address the essentials before offering it for
sale.
CONCLUSION: This is truly one of the coolest sleepers I've ever
seen. At first glance, it looks like a harmless little Grandma car,
but let me tell you, there aren't too many Camaros or Chevelles
cruising the streets that could outrun or outperform this Nova. The
combination of subtle looks, serious horsepower, modern upgrades,
and raw street attitude makes this car incredibly fun and
unforgettable. Whoever ends up owning it is going to have an
absolute blast!
Vehicles are displayed in a museum setting. Admission applies
without an appointment and is refunded with purchase, including a
one-year museum membership.
815-385-3644 (9-5 Central)
[email protected] - Prompt responses
Air conditioning
Fuel injection
Power steering
4 wheel disc brakes
Custom suspension
4.10 posi
Retro tech gauges
Deluxe wheel
Tilt column
Stereo system
Tinted glass
Poverty wheels
