1972 Chevrolet Nova SS Tribute

Description

ThereпїЅs a great deal of time and money wrapped up in this gorgeous 1972 Nova SS, ranging from the brilliant bright red bodywork to the snarling small block under the hood. ItпїЅs the kind of car that experienced street racers watch out of the corner of their eye, knowing that itпїЅs a legitimate threat at the stop light grand prix.

WeпїЅll be the first to admit that this isnпїЅt a real SS, but by 1972, it wasnпїЅt much of a performance package anyway. Instead, what this one offers is a spectacular performance look backed by legitimate horsepower, not smoke and mirrors like the factory was peddling in пїЅ72. The red paint looks great on the compact Nova, especially with the black vinyl roof, and they were quite thorough with their installation of all the correct SS badges and trim pieces. ThereпїЅs no rust, just clean, straight sheetmetal that fits together quite nicely. These cars lend themselves quite well to performance-oriented makeovers, and this one looks fast, which was entirely the point. The fact that itпїЅs also clean and solidly built is only icing on the cake.

Where the bodywork was neatly restored to near-factory condition, the interior got a legitimate performance upgrade. The black buckets are from ProCar, and offer vastly more support and comfort than vintage Nova buckets, and they flank a 1976 Camaro center console that gives it a racy feel. Novas didnпїЅt offer much in terms of gauges when they were new, so this one now wears an Auto Meter tachometer on the steering column, as well as a set of auxiliary gauges under the dash. Both the headliner and the door panels are new, the carpets look fresh and 3-point belts enhance the safety, particularly important on a car with this much performance. The trunk is finished with spatter paint, new mat, and a matching full-sized spare and jack assembly.

A glance under the hood tells you all you need to know about this NovaпїЅs real identity. ItпїЅs a built 350 with an .030 overbore, 11:1 compression, and a cackling solid lifter camshaft, so you can forget about stealth. Long-tube headers enhance torque production and sound snarly, and a Holley 750 double-pumper provides plenty of high-octane. Of course, thereпїЅs also a ton of chrome, too, so whenever you stop youпїЅll want to make sure you pop the hood. Note that all that braided stainless is the real deal, not the cheesy slip-on fake stuff, and all the chrome and polished aluminum has been maintained at show car levels. Power steering and brakes make it feel nimble on the street, and the quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic drives a 10-bolt full of easy-cruising 3.42 gears which are the perfect combination of acceleration and comfort. Gorgeous 17-inch Torque Thrusts look right, especially wearing performance radials that fill the wheel wells properly.

Handsome and deadly fast, this Nova doesnпїЅt have to pretend to be something itпїЅs notпїЅitпїЅs already better. Call today!