1971 Chevrolet Nova

Description

You can always tell when a car has been loved. It definitely shows on this 1971 Chevrolet Nova, which is a step above the usual clean muscle, and has become something special. Great paint, a rumbling small block, and a nicely updated interior all give it the impression that this was someone's 4-wheeled dream. Perhaps it's yours, too.

Getting a car to sparkle like this isn't easy or cheap, so finding good base stock is always important. This was obviously a pretty clean Nova from someplace warm, but to get it to look so good required major work. Every panel was massaged and smoothed, the doors, fenders, and trunk were fitted with vastly more care than the factory could manage or afford, and the two-stage urethane paint has an inner glow that dances on the Nova's handsome shape. There's no cowl-induction hood, because that would interrupt the smooth look, but it does have shaved emblems and door handles, which give it a street rod look that's unusual among Novas. White SS stripes are always welcome and never look out of place. Both bumpers were painted to enhance the smoothie look and a billet grille simplifies the look in a very good way. If you like Novas, you're going to love how this one looks.

The interior, while restored to mostly stock condition, shows the same kind of attention to detail that stands out the minute you open the door. Fresh seat covers and carpets are inviting, and the whole car comes together with an emphasis on functionality. The gauges are original, but the factory dials are joined by a set of white-faced auxiliary instruments down low in the usual spot. There's no console but a trick B&M shifter puts the lever right where you want it and gets rid of the clumsy column shift setup. A beautiful billet steering wheel fits and looks right, and there's an AM/FM/cassette stereo radio in the original dash location. The trunk is upholstered in matching black carpet, which isn't factory correct but then again, this car isn't aiming for a factory look. Instead, it looks professional, and that works exceedingly well here.

You're going to be glad to have that oversized rubber on the rear axle given the freshly built 350 cubic inch V8's performance capabilities. It decodes as a 1973 or '74 L48, but it's been fortified and upgraded beyond that today, including a Holley Street Dominator intake and 4-barrel carburetor, Accel HEI ignition system, and long-tube headers to help build some torque. Where the rest of this car is somewhat subtle, the engine bay is an extrovert, with tons of polished chrome, as well as an engine block painted to bright Chevy Orange to really stand out. The transmission is a TH350 3-speed automatic with a manual valve body feeding a 10-bolt rear end with 3.08 gears inside. Flowmaster mufflers and a big-bore dual exhaust system give it a spectacular sound that's going to get a lot of attention, terminating in a set of chrome tips peeking out from under the rear bumper. Setting it all off perfectly are those big 18-inch front and 20-inch rear Torque Thrust wheels, which wear 225/40/18 and 255/35/20 performance radials, respectively.

Passion shows in the details, and that's where this car truly shines. This is a lot more than "just" a Nova. Call today!