The third generation of the Chevy Nova, built from 1968 to 1972, is its most popular. And these cars are frequent targets of cloning into Super Sports. This 1971 example goes well beyond that with a race-capable engine that displaces 434 cubic inches (the top stock engine that year was the 350 small-block). This car has a host of mechanical upgrades, all designed to help it turn 10+ seconds in the quarter mile. Located in Tacoma, Washington, this dark green powerhouse is available here on eBay where $28,300 has been bid so far, but the reserve is north of there.
There’s no implication this Nova was an SS 350 when it was built and – given all the changes done to the machine since – that probably doesn’t matter. We’re told this Nova can be driven with confidence on the street, but to do any serious activity at the track probably means adding a roll cage and other safety features the car does not possess. The vehicle has 96,000 miles on It, though we don’t know how many of those are since the Chevy began its transformation.
You’re not likely to find any rust or other sheet metal issues with this Nova, but the paint isn’t Concours-quality by any means. The deluxe interior looks great and is said to be original except for the carpeting and dashpad. Any little flaws the Chevy may have will be overlooked when you demonstrate it can travel more than 127 mph – but where?
The seller cites a long list of mechanical improvements for speed this Nova gets credit for. They include – but are not limited to – the hot motor, Edelbrock manifold, 950 carburetor, MSD ignition, headers, Flowmaster pipes, aluminum radiator, upgraded TH-350 automatic transmission with a stall converter, and loads more. The suspension isn’t stock-Nova, either. The seller is hopeful the car will sell this time around as the last buyer changed his/her mind and bailed. Is this too much Nova for Saturday night car hops?
Pricey but this well-oiled machine looks like a ton-o-fun!
Didn’t know the Turbo Hydramatic 350s could handle this much power.
It will for a while, I have friends that ran TH350’s for years, every Wednesday night and weekend race in their high 11 second street cars, 40-45 races, 200-250 runs per year. Eventually they all switched to TH400’s after they got tired of rebuilding the transmission every 2 to 3 seasons. This is a street car that made a handful of runs at the track, if well built the transmission should be fine.
This is a nice car, well thought out and executed. The seller isn’t trying to fluff up its description, he doesn’t need to, it speaks for itself. It’s not for everyone, but no car is. Someone is going to get a nice car.
Steve R
But grandpa, it’s a great car, I just made it better,,this wouldn’t make a lick of sense to him, wait until grammy grams sees what you did our Nova, ELSIE, come see how your grandson butchered our car.
“So now he’s MY grandson?”
Stan,
That kind of HP would probably grenade a stock Turbo 350 in short order, but there are a lot of things that can be done to make them stronger. I was told that there was a heavy duty cousin called TH-375 that had more clutches and other good stuff. It was used mostly in station wagons.
Did whoever built this one do that . . . . I guess the next owner will find out. If I spent that kind of money and effort on the motor, I would have gone with a TH-400. My Dad had a 3/4 ton GMC van with a TH-350 that hauled a 32′ camping trailer from PA to Florida many times. It was built by a good transmission man and never had a problem. We also didn’t race it.
The other question is, will the car hook up and put that kind of power to the ground? If it’s just spinning the tires there’s not a lot of load on the TH-350, so it will probably live. But that’s only “Probably.”
10.43 @ 127, I’d say it’s hooking pretty hard.
If whoever “Hughes” is built the TH-350 correctly, it is probably fine. There are a lot of modifications that can be made to a TH-350 that make it a bunch stronger than stock.
Also, the transmission takes a lot more beating with a hard launch. With a 3800 stall converter I assume it’s hooking up and going hard. Mid 10’s at 127 MPH will get your attention for sure.
The next question is, what kind of track lets you make 10 passes with a best of mid 10’s at 127 with no roll bar or shoulder belts that I can see? That’s how it was done in the 1970’s, but things have changed a lot since then.
Some tracks don’t care, as long as you pay for a tech card you get to run.
For tracks that care, you need to outrun your safety equipment twice in the same event before they send you home. Then they’ve got to remember you the next time, my local track typically gets 150 to 250 cars per race, it would be hard to remember a specific car if it showed up several months later.
Steve R
If you stay out of NHRA events you can have at it, but any NHRA event would have you on the trailer after 1 or 2 passes. Ask me how I know this.
Tracks here in SoCal require a roll bar for anything sub 10 so he’s still ok. Ran 9.9 5 times at famoso raceway in a cts-v and they said I couldn’t do that anymore. Lol.
The rules are different for late model cars, anything pre-2008 needs a roll bar if it runs quicker than 11.50.
Steve R
Hughes has been making excellent hi performance transmissions in Phoenix for decades and they definitely know their business. I’ve had two of them, a TH400 and a 4L80e without the “e”. Totally manual shift. Try as I might, I couldn’t destroy either one
Yea small block not short block
I can see me driving this to the local Safeway to buy the cat some food. And the car is located practically in my back yard. Unfortunately, so is my insurance, besides the tree doesn’t have 40-large leaves on it.
She’s a beauty!
drooling on thanksgiving!!!!
Lots face it…I’m 67 and have no more plans for dropping another tranny! LOL!
10.4’s with those tiny street tires?
I just have to think he put slicks on at the track to run a time like that, I don’t see any 4 link so I would say he had to be some form of a slick!
He’s using Calvert rear suspension, which is worth googling if you aren’t familiar with their products. It’s the go to rear suspension for leaf spring equipped Stock Eliminator cars which are limited to 9” slicks and can run well into the 9’s.
Steve R
Reserve not met…wonder what number would buy it?
I’d be surprised if the reserve was under $40k., but likely higher It’s a nice car that was well thought out and executed at a high level, but not too flashy. That’s becoming a rare combination, since it seems people are more interested in flash than function. If the seller can afford to wait I’d let people know it’s for sale, but wait until taxes start coming back to advertise it again. That’s typically when swapmeet season starts and money starts flowing through the automotive industry in general.
Steve R