1966 Chevrolet Nova Pro Street

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 race-modified cockpit is fitted with black vinyl and cloth Procar Rally XL bucket seats with purple Braum racing harnesses, an aluminum dashboard, custom door panels, gray carpeting, and a full color-matched tubular roll cage. Additional features include a B&M Magnum Grip Pro Stick shift lever, a Ron Francis fuse panel, and power windows. The trunk contains dual batteries and an aluminum fuel cell.

Instrumentation includes a Holley 7-inch digital dash display and a secondary 12.3-inch touchscreen display, with primary featured gauges including a digital 160-mph speedometer, an 8K-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts for other vehicle systems. True mileage on the chassis is unknown.

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.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.