Black Nova 72
 

A few years ago I picked up a rust free very original 72 Nova with 54,000 miles on it. The car was incredibly clean and had nothing to hide, which is a nice change from the last few hot rods I've worked on. The project started off relatively cheap, but I change my mind so much I did most everything 2 or 3 times. I have yet to get it on the road to shake it down, but I should have the option soon seeing as though winter might finally be on the way out here in MN. Here is a picture of the car the day I bought it, it was originally yellow with white and brown bench interior.

Black Nova 72
 

First thing I did was wheels and tires. MB Motoring 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear with BFG KDW's. Needed a little help from air shocks to clear the rears. I also picked up a carbon L88 hood from a guy DC. We were racing at a Trans-Am event in New Jersey so I had our motor home driver meet him at an exit off the freeway. The hood was gorgeous, very high quality, but just overall too small, excessive gaps to the fenders. I thought I couldn't live with the gaps so I ordered a different one from Anvil, along with the wiper cowl and deck lid. The deck lid and wiper cowl fit great, the hood not so much. We are currently working on a solution.

Black Nova 72
 

Next on the list was an LS transplant. Picked up an aluminum 5.3 with a VooDoo cam and MSD controller and swapped the powerglide for TH350. Also had the guys at Quick Performance fab up a 9" that was narrowed enough to fit the rear wheels. I had a REM coated G-Force 3.89 ring and pinion from a Trans-Am car so that went in with a fresh posi. The guys at Quick Performance in Iowa are top shelf.

Nice looking project. Welcome to the site

Black Nova 72
 

The 5.3 went in with Kooks headers (really nice pieces) and 770 Street Avenger Carb. Carb was almost immediately swapped out for a custom built annular booster double pumper from Pro Systems. The front accessory drive is from Wegner. I welded up the exhaust from a Jegs kit and fit the cut outs for more ground clearance.

Black Nova 72
 

Next up was deep tubs from DSE. I fabbed up some offset shackles and added Hotchkis rear leafs. Also moved the shocks in board. I had my rear wheels widened to 11" by a local guy call "Rotten Johnny". He does nice work. New 315" BFG drag radials were next.

Black Nova 72
 

I barely drove it with that setup before It all came apart for:
-New forged LS3 415ci from TPIS with LS6 heads off a World Challenge car
-Overdrive automatic (after acquiring and selling an Autogear Muncie)
-Vintage Air and more from Wegner
-Underside detailing
-Complete harness from American Autowire
-CPP big brakes

This all happened right after moving to a new house with a new shop. I need to learn to leave things alone, or just plan better overall. The massive rear wing in the picture was from Spectre, it was expensive and too much for my taste. Sold it and the L88 hood to a guy who was building a Nova fro Drag Week, I hope I see it again.

Black Nova 72
 

New motor installed

Black Nova 72
 

Subframe connectors from DSE. I thought this was a fun and easy project.

i like it! i'm liking that hood too!