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74 NovaMan’s … Novas

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  • 74 NovaMan’s … Novas

    It all started in 1973 when mom and dad bought a brand new 1973 Nova. Rubber floor mats, clear plastic seat covers, power steering, 250 straight 6, 2 speed powerglide, hatchback, and 4 wheel drum brakes. That’s me standing next to the bumper.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:36 PM.
    Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
    74 Nova Project
    66 Mustang GT Project

    92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
    79 Chevy Truck Project
    1956 Cadillac Project

  • #2
    Fast forward to 1986. This is the car I learned to drive in and was for all intents and purposes my first car. These pics are from a few years later before the car was retired from terminal rust issues. When I got it the rust was about this bad but the seats were in perfect shape because of the plastic covers.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:37 PM.
    Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
    74 Nova Project
    66 Mustang GT Project

    92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
    79 Chevy Truck Project
    1956 Cadillac Project

    Comment


    • #3
      For my sixteenth birthday in the summer of 86’ I was given $700 with the intent that I use it to buy my first car. I found this gem just down the road from our place for $350. 350, TH350, no hatchback but otherwise identical to the 73 for options, or lack thereof. The car came with steel rims and rusty dog dish hubcaps. This pic is with the rims I scored from a neighbor with some new rear tires and homemade shackles installed.
      Attached Files
      Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:37 PM.
      Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
      74 Nova Project
      66 Mustang GT Project

      92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
      79 Chevy Truck Project
      1956 Cadillac Project

      Comment


      • #4
        It stared fairly innocently with some minor body work and paint. The neighbor (major car guy) at the end of the block had just taken in a 72 Nova that had been smacked hard in the rear. He sold me the front fenders and doors and slot rims for $150. The door panels did not match style wise but were the right color and in good shape and I also got wing windows so it was all good.
        Attached Files
        Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:38 PM.
        Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
        74 Nova Project
        66 Mustang GT Project

        92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
        79 Chevy Truck Project
        1956 Cadillac Project

        Comment


        • #5
          cool.... next pictures pls.
          Doing it all wrong since 1966

          Comment


          • #6
            Novas make great projects..........yep, more pics.
            Thom

            "The object is to keep your balls on the table and knock everybody else's off..."

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks Guys!
              Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
              74 Nova Project
              66 Mustang GT Project

              92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
              79 Chevy Truck Project
              1956 Cadillac Project

              Comment


              • #8
                The hood on the 73 was better than the 74 so that was swapped for the cause. We ordered a set of “Custom fit fender flares” for the rear from JC Whitney to address the quarter panel rust. Apparently custom fit means add 4 gallons of bondo for proper fitment. They were returned and we picked up a quarter panel replacement for the driver’s side. After some metal work (thanks Dad) and a reasonable amount of bondo we had this:
                Attached Files
                Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:38 PM.
                Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
                74 Nova Project
                66 Mustang GT Project

                92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
                79 Chevy Truck Project
                1956 Cadillac Project

                Comment


                • #9
                  A quick trip to the local Maaco (local quick turn cheap paint place) we were pretty pleased with the results. I do remember the water pump letting go on the way home and wondering if anti-freeze was good for fresh paint. This is how it looked with maybe $1,200 all in:
                  Attached Files
                  Last edited by 74NovaMan; March 7, 2014, 01:39 PM.
                  Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
                  74 Nova Project
                  66 Mustang GT Project

                  92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
                  79 Chevy Truck Project
                  1956 Cadillac Project

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    good stuff!
                    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Nice .... right outta high school ('85ish) I scored a '76 w/250 & th350 combo for $250. Loved that car, but the girlfriend hated it. She still my bride but the car is gone. That Nova was the only car I ever made money on ....

                      NEXT!
                      Whiskey for my men ... and beer for their horses!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        My folks bought a Pontiac Ventura hatch new in 73. My first car was a 74 Olds Omega. Your pics bring back a lot of memories!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          My first car was a 73 Omega, shackles and air shocks baby, yeah! bought it in 86, still have it at my Dads house.

                          neat car, thanks for the trip down memory lane!
                          Charles

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Man I loved all my Nova's and still miss them all my wife loves them to and says someday I am going to have to build her another one. Cool pics.
                            Greg & Mendy Dayton, Ohio 2007LH 2008LH 2010LH 2011LH 2012 1st 2 stops 2013LH 2015 1st 2 stops2016LH 2017 first and last stops . 2018 LH ("It's better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool!! Harley Davidson!")

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I'm just getting started on the story. I've got at least 3 more Novas to go!
                              Chris - HRPT Long Haul 03, 04, 05, 13, 14, 15,16 & 18
                              74 Nova Project
                              66 Mustang GT Project

                              92 Camaro RS Convertible Project
                              79 Chevy Truck Project
                              1956 Cadillac Project

                              Comment

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