Couldn't help it. I drove by a nova for sale, and just had to buy it. $3000 later and it was sitting in my driveway. That was almost 2 years ago, and I have acomplished much with the car.

Had a lotta fun rebuilding the 350 as well as overcamming it. Ya gotta remember back in the early 80's we just stuck the nastiest cam in, and built the rest around it... Yeah we broke alot of parts. lol

Seriously, this thing screams! Makes power to 7500 rpm and gets there quick thanks to the tight lash solid Comp cam, the Quick Fuel carb, and the 5500 rpm TCI stall. I am still tweaking but it ran a best of 11.9 in the 1/4 mi @ 111 mph. Messing around a bit more should get me a few 10ths here or there. With all this craziness going on one might be surprised to learn it drives on the street. It does, but not for any long duration. Maybe a 20 min cruise to the track, or to scare the kids at the local ice cream place. :)

I dont think I'll ever be done playing with this car!!

9/28/07
Discovered some play at the tailshaft of the trans. It's not much, but it is starting to "growl" on deceleration. It won't be long before it begins to waste the seal.

After checking into it a bit, I have discovered that TCI makes a replacement tailshaft, featuring a roller bearing in place of the stock type bushing that Hughes installed. In a few weeks I'll be replacing this tailshaft, adding some u-joint studs, and a drive shaft safety loop.

11/2/07

Me hot rod has to be on the back burner for now. I am building a pool in my backyard and it's taking all my resources, finances, and sanity.

If I ever recover.. I'll order my parts and hopefully start wrenching again in the Spring.

04/13/08

Took this beast out for a ride yesterday, and it's still a monster. I ordered the new tailshaft and some stuff to upgrade the brakes which really suck.

I am going to go with a manual system since there is no vacuum to speak of, and a system that utilizes the power steering pump just seems a bit cumbersome. Also, I eventually am going to have manual steering. At this time however the brakes are my priority for obvious reasons.