The third-generation Chevrolet Nova is a popular car to be cloned as a Super Sport. Sometimes it takes factory paperwork to tell the real-deal muscle cars from the tributes. From the description provided, this appears to be a 1972 Nova that has been cloned but using modern hardware, making it into a well-done restomod. But a couple of things don’t add up that we’ll go into in a moment. Located in Middletown, Connecticut, this bright red hot rod is available here on craigslist for $24,750. Another tip brought to us by Tony Primo.

If this is a 1972 Nova, then why does it have a 1969 grille, front bumper, side marker lights front and rear, and taillights? When the Chevy was restored, was the sheet metal so bad that replacements were needed, and only ’69 parts were available? Also, in one photo, the SS emblem is missing from the grille, but appears in other pics. If I were going to travel to CT with hopes of buying this car, I’d want to see documentation as to whether this is a 1972 or 1969 titled automobile (am I splitting hairs?).

Setting this aside, the Chevy appears to be one heavy ride. A modern 572 cubic inch V8 resides under the hood (a more detailed photo would be nice). The car may only have 8,800 miles since whatever transformation took place. Besides the behemoth motor, a 5-speed manual transmission has replaced whatever this Nova left the factory with. The Chevy was built to haul butt, backed up with hot parts like titanium valve spring retainers, a Melling oil pump, Holley EFI intake, and a bunch of LS9 goodies.

Stock Nova instrumentation has been jettisoned in favor of a digital setup that includes a 160-mph speedometer (who’s betting this car can’t peg that speed?). The rest of the interior is both functional and tidy. The body and red paint look great, but it appears the trunk lid might not close flush. Unless the seller doesn’t know the history, we’d sure like to know what was here before considerable time and money went into creating the current mover and shaker.