The internet car community often tends to gravitate towards the most extreme, no-expense-spared car builds. Although we love to see these over-the-top projects with thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested into making every detail perfect, we also recognize they're out of reach for many Americans. Most of us work on our cars in our own garages and have much more restrictive budgets. That's why we also like to see blue-collar, self-made projects like this weathered Chevy Nova, owned by Joe Whitney.
In an interview with YouTube channel AutotopiaLA, Whitney explained that he chased this Nova for years, since it was a completely intact two-owner car with cool patina and all the original paperwork. Unfortunately, another buyer beat him to the punch and stripped the car down to restore it, losing many of the original parts in the process. Whitney bought the car for $3,800 as little more than a shell.
Above: Whitney shared this photo of the Nova in its stock, 307ci V8 form.
Sticking to a maximum budget of $50,000 and doing almost all of the work himself, Whitney decided to make the car as fast and fun as he could. He was previously considering a Camaro ZL1 or Dodge Hellcat, so that was the level of power he aspired to achieve.
The first step was to purchase a fuel-injected L92 6.2L engine from a wrecked Cadillac Escalade, which fit nicely under the hood. However, Whitney wanted to install twin turbos, and learned that it wouldn't be possible to fit the taller intake manifold under the Nova's stock hood. So, he decided to supercharge it instead.
The 6.2L V8 is topped with a GM LSA supercharger that, with the help of a few performance mods and lowered compression, made 557hp and 600ft-lbs of torque to the rear wheels on 91 octane pump gas. That puts it close to 700hp at the crank.
This engine is paired with a short-ratio Tremec T-56 Magnum manual transmission and 3.50 rear end. It cruises at low RPM on the highway, but has more than enough torque to shred the rear tires on demand.
The Nova sits on Ridetech suspension and an inexpensive set of 18-inch Circuit Performance wheels designed for a 2003-04 Mustang Cobra. With a set of Detroit Speed mini-tubs, Whitney was able to fit 315/30R18 rear tires to help the Nova put more power to the ground.
"I catch some flak with some people, mostly the older crowd. They're like, 'aw, paint that thing!' I'm like 'absolutely not, I love it,'" said Whitney. The surface rust and discoloration just adds to the car's blue-collar hot rod feel. And its sarcastic "ITSSLOW" license plate is just icing on the cake.
Check out the full YouTube video from AutotopiaLA to see (and hear) this Nova in action.
No matter what your budget looks like, Classic Industries can help you find the parts you need to bring your Nova one step closer to completion. Our Chevy II / Nova catalog features thousands of parts for 1962-79 Chevy II and Nova models. Click the button below to get a free full-color Chevy II / Nova restoration parts catalog: