HRBS Introduces “Shop Bitch” 1967 Nova Build
 

We’ve been busy with many different projects and it’s been a while since we’ve posted a build thread on one. This build is different from most cars we build and for good reason. It is being built as a shop car that (I hope) most people will relate too.
The timing (I think) couldn’t be better being that lately there have been quite a few threads about build costs etc. In a sea of current high caliber / high profile builds, we set out to build a car that most relates to the majority of potential clients. Although the high caliber cars are great for this hobby and for those who are building them, the reality is that most of the people calling or visiting the shop can’t relate to why a car of that caliber costs so much. That is simply because those cars are engineered and purpose built. With that said, the purpose of most car enthusiasts that inquire is to have a practical performance street driven car that sees more road and show time than track time. I as much as the next guy loves a great piece of eye candy that can out perform the new super cars of today but the bottom line is that most people can’t afford such a build and/or it is overkill for their particular situation. It would be like Grandma buying a Ferrari to go grocery shopping. So after a long design and thought process it was apparent that I should try to meet the majority demand of those who inquire. First we chose a car we believe is becoming very popular right now. Then we set out to minimize cost by lessening the amount of hardcore fabrication (which simply is time multiplied by hourly rate) and focused on attention to detail while using for the most part aftermarket bolt-on parts in lieu of over the top fabricated ones. I know this build won’t be for everyone as there always seems to be someone who thinks differently and has a better idea. But if most people view this build with an open mind on possibilities within a budget and not an open checkbook, it should be enlightening.

Here is some info on this build:

Vehicle: 1967 Chevrolet Nova (low mileage, super clean and solid Midwest car requiring NO body panel replacement or patching)

Body Mods (all cosmetic changes): Mini-Tubbed, Shaved Cowl, Shaved Locks, Shaved Firewall, Fabricated Front Valance, Modified and Smoothed Radiator Support, One piece Taillights

Front Suspension (aftermarket bolt on): Chris Alston’s Chassisworks G-Machine Clip (sanded and smoothed) with Street Machine Upper and Lower Control Arms, Manual Rack & Pinion, Dropped Spindles, Wilwood 13” - 4 Piston Brakes

Rear Suspension (aftermarket bolt/weld on): Total Cost Involved Parallel 4-Link, Fab9 Rear (Braced), Wilwood 12.19” - 4 Piston Brakes

Wheels / Tires (standard available wheels): 19x11 / 18x8 Intro ID321 Matte Charcoal, Hankook V12 Evo 285/35/19, 215/40/18

Drivetrain (available aftermarket / in-house built): Inglese Injected BBC / 4l65e

Color (standard modern production colors): All the suspension will be Powdercoated Matte Black / Matte Charcoal.
Engine Compartment will be Matte Charcoal / Black Anodized.
Body will be Slate Blue Met. and retain all factory trim.

HRBS CNC Hardware thru-out Engine Compartment (will be Black Anodized)


Here is what the car started out like:

Minor body Shaving:

Filling the cowl vent and smoothing the radiator support:

Shaving and smoothing the firewall:

Chris Alston Chassisworks Front clip and TCI 4 Link Assembly.
Shaved and ground welds smooth.

Ring Brother Hinges (slightly modified to fit CA clip).
Fabricated Front Radiator Support Valance:

Mini Tub.
Sliced Inner well and moved inward to fit flush with stock frame rail.
Picked up 2-1/2":

very nice Steve........... :thumbsup:

Jody

A few CNC'd parts and detailed photos of components:
The CA clip usually reuses the stock body shims. We CNC'd our own "one-piece" version. We also created a "thinner" more low profile decorative bolt washer that we will soon produce for the public. Notice the rubber backer washer for a non-paint chipping installation. We also made up a set of CNC'd Billet Tail lights with one-piece lenses.
The suspension parts shown have all been media blasted and powdercoated in a Matte Black and / or Charcoal finish and all the factory Zinc "plated" mild steel hardware has been replaced with Stainless Steel.

Those taillights look awesome. I'll have to remember those if/when I ever find a nice Chevy II project.

Keep the pics comin'

Looking good. Any chance you'll be making any more parts for the 1st & 2nd gen Novas? Also, is there any particular reason you chose the CA front clip and the TCI rear setup over some of the others out there? Love the project!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Very cool build...........taillights are way cool

Thanks !
We chose the CA clip because we feel it is one of the best aftermarket clips out there. IMO its the most complete system and is better engineered, has better overall craftsmanship and offers several different options in regards to control arms, steering, brakes etc. Nothing against the others but again, we are trying to use mostly "off the shelf" aftermarket pieces on this build. Using a company that offers more options opens the door for future upgrades. Same goes for the TCI 4 Link. That system utilizes a new foward cross member and eliminates the existing spring perch pockets and is overall a complete package rather that using the stock bracketry like other systems out there.
As far as the tail lights.....LOL I knew we would spark some interest with those. And although there would be a market for them, we made these on our own time to see whats possible with our new machine. Currently there are 2 great companys out there that have made quite a name for themselves in the "billet industry" and we feel there would be no room for another.
Thanks for the compliments !

Killer Steve! That has always been one of my favorite body styles!

So -- judging by the taillight you're showing - you've got some mods going on in the quarters??

Thanks Greg.
Actually no mods at all to the quarters.
The Billet ones we made duplicate the factory shape and fit into the factory position. We just made them to house a one piece lens. The lens we made from 3/16" thick red acyrlic and used a diffuser in back.
We will run LED's behind. There is no provision for a back-up lens (at this time).
In this pic, the lovely Mrs HRBS is holding the new one up against the factory one to show the difference.

Okay -- It must just be the way the photo is taken - because YOUR billet version looks FAR LARGER than the stock one in the photo --- that's why I thought maybe you were going to mod the quarters.

Nice work by the way -- real nice!

AWESOME!!! These style cars are really growing on me. Should be a killer car when complete.
Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

looks great.:thumbsup: Feb. must be the month to start a 66/67 chevyII project.Send me a pm when you are ready to sell a set of those tail lights.Keep us posted I may follow your lead a little bit.Scott

Very nice work it all looks great.

ive seen those tail lights before. i like the fact there is no back up light but the ones from shiney-hiney.com have the best of both..project looks killer man keep the pictures and info coming!

You got a car from the midwest without rust,Leave those here and take the crappy ones..haha. Looks like a good idea for a project:thumbsup:

Tracy.... i bought it site unseen on the prior owners word that is was solid. I was expecting that to be slightly false and have a rot box show up. The original plan was to cut it up like all my other builds but after it showed up I kinda had a heart.... (imagine that). :lol:

I agree. :thumbsup:

Awesome, Steve, keep us up to speed. :cheers:

Just in time!!!!!!!! I'm going through my dad's 66 right now, though my hands are somewhat tied ( he's heavy on old school ) on somethings maybe i can show him some of the cool things we can do and how it looks before hand. We'll be watching :yes:
BB

Wheel Time
 

Wheels showed up today in unbelievable time. 3 weeks from ordering.
They're Intro ID321 in Matte Charcoal. Sizes: 19x11 &18x8

Tires should be here this week. Once I get the tires mounted, I can start building the rear section and rear housing. Next it will be off to Media Blast so I can finish the bottom side while doing the rear section. I made it a point to get this into body prep by April 1st (all while working around customer cars) !! :willy:

Nice looking wheels.:thumbsup:

Looking good Steve. you did a great job on the washers. Have we made a final on the color?

Great build to watch Steve ! Thx !!

I didn't see a budget target listed anywhere for this build. Is it too soon to throw that out there yet - or did you have a ball park up front to work with ?

Jim

Looks like it's going to be an awesome "bitch" :thumbsup:
Look forward to seeing how she comes out!

Off to a great start...hey I want a set of those washers...can you hook me up with a full fender bolt kit with button head bolts for a 69 camaro?

I've been looking around and I see Fesler and Ring Bros have the washers but no one has put together a turn key bolt set including the button head bolts with the washers... hint, hint!

MORE PHOTO'S PLEASE!!!!:thumbsup:

Thanks Mark. Its come a long way since you've seen it. Yes, the color was the only easy thing to pick and stick with... LOL. It will be Slate Blue off a 2008 Dodge Magnum.

Jim.. thanks for the good words. I have to imagine and price this build as if it were being built for a customer. To be fair to other builders on the site, I dont want to throw a number out there. I will say as a turn key build, start to finish adding all parts cost, & labor it will be over $60k and under $80k when completed. That will include a custom stitched, hand built, one-off interior that will really make the car stand out. (ps.. that also includes the original cost of the car [$3,800])

We are working on producing these. We made enough for this build and I am currently working on packaging and pricing etc. I am running a few more off in between other projects. I dont think I will offer complete car "kits" as there are way too many cars out there. But we will offer a complete unit with washer, bolt and rubber backing as a whole. You will just need to know the quantity and order accordingly. Currently I am working with a local anodizer, trying to get a deal on anodizing them in mass quanities.

Those taillights will be a big hit!

That's what I was looking for ! Thx !!

Jim

This build definitely interests me. I would be interested in a set of the tail lights.

Doug

Tires came in today. (Hankook V12 Evo 285/35/19, 215/40/18)
Gotta give Jon Henson @ Driverz Inc a great big THANKS !
Great price, easy service and quick shipping. :thumbsup:

Word up brotha! As always, happy to help!

We got most of all the suspension pieces back from Powder Coating.
They were done in a Satin Matte Black with the 4 Link bars done in a Matte Grey.

The parts look great. I love this build. Very nice work. Keep the pictures coming.

Awesome build Steve! :cheers: