This pro-street 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova two-door hardtop is the product of a reportedly $100,000, 27-year custom build by the seller, with its big-block power coming from a rebuilt 516ci V8 backed by a custom-built 2004R 4-speed automatic transmission and a positraction 9-inch Ford rear end. Custom equipment includes a color-matched tubular roll cage, a fuel cell, dual batteries, a QA1 coilover suspension, Weld Racing wheels, Wilwood brakes, and more. Finished in PPG Purple Pearl lacquer over a black vinyl and cloth racing interior, this performance-built second-generation Nova is now offered with a clear New Jersey title in the seller’s name.
The compact Chevy II model first came to the marketplace in 1962 on the General Motors X-body platform utilizing semi-unibody construction. Four years later, a second-generation restyle brought in design elements from the Super Nova concept car which included a semi-fastback roofline and vertical taillights. This custom-built Nova two-door from that year has a rust-free body that was repainted in PPG Purple Pearl lacquer more than 20 years ago under the seller’s ownership. The exterior trim including the bumpers was refinished in enamel paint of the same color. The custom exhaust system uses a 3.5-inch setup with Borla mufflers. The seller notes that the paint shows some small stone chips and cracking at close range, but most of the car still looks show quality.
Staggered-size Weld Racing aluminum wheels are set inside of Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires. The race-tuned suspension uses QA1 adjustable coilovers at all four corners. Stopping power comes from front and rear Wilwood disc brakes with cross-drilled and slotted rotors.
The 516ci big-block V8 began as a 509ci Lincoln Mark V block that was bored .030 over. The powerplant was rebuilt in 2018 and professionally tuned in mid-2021 by Injection Connection in Pennsylvania. Performance enhancements include:
Eagle crankshaft
CP-Carillo forged pistons with 10:1 compression
Isky valve springs and roller rockers
Lunati connecting rods
Dart 2 heads
COMP Cams camshaft
Hogan’s Racing manifold
Accufab Racing 102mm throttle body
Holley EFI ECU, dual-sync distributor, and 48psi fuel injectors
MSD coil packs
Moroso vacuum pump
Aluminum four-core radiator
Rear-mounted fuel cell
The seller notes that the engine needs to be rebalanced due to shaking and resealed because it is leaking oil. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 2004R 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, a 3,200-rpm stall converter, and a cooler with a fan. The rear end is a narrowed 9-inch Ford positraction unit with a 4.10:1 gear ratio. The seller states that the transmission is also in need of a re-seal.