350 CI V8 CHEVY MOTOR, 700R-4 TRANS, LIGHTWEIGHT NOVA, LONGTUBES, 3.23 REAR END

This 1963 Chevrolet Nova is a neat little bruiser that speaks softly and carries the proverbial big stick. With an unassuming look, his flyweight fighter is capable of beating up on some much more powerful hardware, ll for a bargain price. Sound like your kind of fun? Read on. The trick to building an effective street brawler is to keep it low-key. The Marina Blue paint has just the right '60s vibe that makes it look right when you're out cruising. Not detailed to show levels, t still looks good on the roll and when you stop to talk a bit with friends. There's a nice blend of new and old, ith shiny paint and good original trim that suggests this car has spent its life in a pleasant place. The sheetmetal is quite straight, nd if you're looking to run hard, he 2-door sedan is the body style you want, ith its extra rigidity and lighter weight. No modifications to the body were permitted, ot even a cowl-induction hood, nd they resisted the urge to slap a set of SS badges on it or to even upgrade the grille. Instead, his looks like a clean, ild-mannered Nova with no stories to tell. And honestly, hat was entirely the point. It's nice, ut not too nice, nd stock, ut not too stock, f you know what I mean. Inside, he black upholstery is clearly new, nd it effectively duplicates the original stuff so nobody's eyebrows will be raised at a casual glance. The bench seat is original equipment, nd works well with the low-profile mission, lthough the big B&M shifter will undoubtedly get people talking. You know this one was built for combat, owever, hen you see the tach on the steering column, he fat, mall-diameter steering wheel, nd auxiliary gauges under the dash, ut nobody can see that stuff when they're next to you at a stop light. There's also an AM/FM/CD stereo so cruising is a pleasure, nd the original instruments still look great. New door panels and carpets, lus a tight-fitting headliner clearly demonstrate that this was not a cut-rate build, nd you'll have no complaints about spending Saturday night behind the wheel. The trunk is also clean and carries a remote battery which helps with weight distribution and makes room under the hood. The engine is a 350 cubic inch small block, hich isn't radical by any means, ut thanks to the Nova's light weight, t gives the car impressive performance. Mild enough to drive every day, t was clearly built for the street. Chevy Orange paint gives it a vintage look, nd the finned aluminum valve covers have been custom painted in such a way that you'll want to pop the hood every chance you get. It's linked to a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive, o it's fast and a comfortable highway cruiser, nd with 3.23 gears on an Auburn limited slip, t hooks hard. Long-tube headers feed a pair of Flowmasters, nd while the chassis is original, t's also rust-free and solid. Traditional Centerlines carry staggered 145/15 and 235/60/15 radials that are the only real giveaway to this car's intentions. Big fun on a small budget, his Nova delivers in ways that cars costing tens of thousands more just can't. All you have to do is call!