Vehicle Description
We don't need to sell you on the virtues of a classic Chevy Nova.
You already know it's attractive, timeless and universally cool. In
fact, one could argue that, since it's a choice offering of the
golden era of motor city muscle, it's one of the best classics of
all time. That said, falling for an old school Nova is easy. The
difficult part is finding a unique, well-built car that'll keep you
happy for years to come. Luckily, your friends at RK Motors
Charlotte have a real knack for finding standout builds. And this
incredible street legal stock car, wrapping 406 cubic inches of
brutal Chevy small block in top-notch customization and retro red
and white pigment, is about as standout as it gets! Whether you're
looking for a one-of-a-kind resto-mod that's unrelentingly cool or,
like us, you're just shamelessly enamored with vintage race cars,
this killer bowtie is sure to please!
WHEN RACING IS LIFE
Right at home cruising the strip, right at home being the marquee
attraction at the show, and right at home schooling competitors on
the short track, this Chevy is the product of a detailed, 3-year
build that was performed by a veteran stock car racer. After
completing the project in late 2013, the car's creator, a skilled
fabricator who spent two decades behind the wheel of Street Stocks,
Late Models and Trucks, planned to book a little track time. But he
just couldn't bring himself to thrash on what is surely one of the
nicest vintage race cars on the planet. And make no mistake, even
though this beast is titled as a 1978 Chevrolet 2-door sedan, it is
every bit a street legal race car. Naturally, a build this intense
required hours of precise metalwork which, predictably, was layered
in the distinct combination of red, white, black and gold the
builder ran on all his cars. And it all adds up to one world-class,
eye-catching classic that's virtually guaranteed to drop jaws!
Despite being purpose-built and custom in many ways, this
3,300-pound resto-mod makes many concessions to comfort and
streetability. At the front of the car, a requisite chrome bumper,
which appears to be original to 1978, splits the difference between
a custom radiator duct, dual-mode headlights and a factory grille
that's finished with bowtie-branded parking lamps. Behind those
torches, a custom, L88-style hood leads the eye to fresh greenhouse
glass, as opposed to traditional stock car Lexan, that's cleared by
modernized windshield wipers. At the sides of those blades, the
car's all-steel panels continue through a hand-fabricated profile
that features working doors, factory mirrors, a NASCAR-style fuel
filler, and widened and flared wheel openings. And at the back of
the car, a latched trunk hangs a hand-fabricated spoiler above
factory taillights and a second chrome bumper.
DID YOU NOTICE THAT SUBTLE "406" SCRIPT ON THE HOOD?
Pull the pins and hit the latch to find 406 cubic inches of
exclusive Chevrolet small block that was professionally assembled
by Roanoke, Virginia's Mountainland Machine. That torque monster's
growl originates when wind whips from a polished air cleaner to a
750 cfm Quickfuel 4-barrel that's cinched to wrapped lines, a
coated pump and a quality Marshall pressure gauge. The resulting
air/fuel mixture makes its way from a familiar Edelbrock Air Gap
intake to lightweight aluminum heads, which balance fluid roller
rockers and tough stainless valves beneath polished rocker covers
and polished Moroso breathers. When the juice hits those heads, hot
MSD 6ALN ignition sends fire through snug MSD Super Conductor
wires, which are sequenced behind an MSD Blaster 2 coil and an MSD
Pro-Billet distributor. 10 to 1 compression is bumped in a .030
overbore thanks to flat top pistons and a hydraulic, flat-tappet
cam. Cooling for that fire comes courtesy of a big aluminum
radiator that's strung in front of a billet water neck, a
traditional pulley fan and a custom-fabricated cowl. Fluid for that
cooling is provided by a Stewart water pump, which, along with a
fresh alternator and a compact AC compressor, spins on high quality
Vintage Air Front Runner components. 20W-50 high zinc oil is
sourced from a center-pickup road course pan. Spent gases exit
through a slick pair of Schoenfeld headers. And, according to this
Chevy's owner, a steady stream of 93 octane nets about 425
horsepower.
YEP, IT'S REAL!
Park this Nova on a lift and you'll see where coveted red carpet
flash transitions to serious race-winning might. The buff 406 leads
a smooth hydraulic clutch, which kicks a fresh Tremec TKO600
5-speed. A color-keyed driveshaft twists thrust to a familiar
9-inch axle, which spins a proven Detroit Locker around big, 3.70
gears. That stellar drivetrain rides in a custom-fabricated, fully
powder-coated tube chassis, which hangs modern coil-over-shocks
between boxed control arms and a sturdy truck arm. That suspension
compresses behind Wilwood disc brakes, which tighten through a dash
mounted proportioning valve. That system points through lucid power
steering, which is integrated around a 12 to 1 gearbox. Spent gases
are managed by 3-inch, side-exit exhaust. Power pounds the pavement
through Basset Racing Wheels, which spin 29x12.50R15 Hoosier Pro
Streets around Metallic Gold sheen. And, if you're feeling racy,
the car can easily be fitted with track radials.
AUTHENTIC THREADS FOR AN AUTHENTIC STOCK CAR
Pop this Chevy's shaved doors and you'll find an all-business
interior that's good for driving or showing. Front and center, a
full cage stretches Allstar Performance window nets beside
adjustable Procar racing seats that, in addition to being trimmed
in color-keyed vinyl, feature 5-point Crow Enterprizes harnesses.
In front of those seats, a single-stage dash arranges reliable Auto
Meter telemetry around modern Insignia audio, Vintage Air climate
control and switches for the car's power windows. Beneath that
dash, an insulated floor floats clean carpet around a predictable
Hurst shifter. And the driver conquers apexes through a quick
release steering wheel.
Owning a lights-out classic is cool. Owning a lights-out classic
that's been tastefully customized is something few are lucky enough
to experience. Owning a tastefully customized, lights-out classic
that's so wicked it could easily be a legitimate race car is the
stuff most gearheads dream about. Don't miss your chance to enjoy
this astonishing Nova!
HIGHLIGHTS
Street legal Chevrolet Nova NASCAR tribute built by a seasoned
circle track racer
3-year, highly authentic build
406 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission / Hydraulic clutch
9-inch rear axle / Detroit Locker differential / 3.70 gears
Modern air conditioning
Power steering
Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
Custom tube chassis / Custom suspension
Custom-fabricated all-steel body with functional doors
Streetable interior with power windows / Modern audio
15-inch Basset Racing Wheels
Digital build photos
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world
