I'm interested in this Yenko Nova clone-NEED HELP

[Gear_Jammer]

I am in the market for a good solid driver car that doesn't really need anything. Not perfect or a trailer queen - just something that looks and runs great and is as period correct as reasonably possible. I've been looking for a 1968 GTO for quite a while and haven't had much luck finding what I want for the money I want to spend. As a result, I broadened my search to 1968-1970 Novas because I’ve always loved them. About a week ago I stumbled upon a Yenko Nova clone that should be ready for sale in the next couple of weeks. The owner is a car restorer and is finishing up a few things (i.e. replacing parts of the interior to make it all black, intake manifold & carb, new poly wide-ovals, etc.) to make it more period correct and more like the real deal Yenko. He has assured me that it runs well now and that it also will when he gets the new intake & carb on it. The engine is a 1974 4-bolt main 350 out of a pickup truck and was rebuilt about 5 years ago. I know nothing about the tranny or gears. My guess is that it's a TH350. From what I can tell, the one big problem with the car is the interior. The other thing that scares me a bit is the underside of the car. It looks like someone got under there with a rattle can and did a poor job of painting everything black, including the damn gas tank. Things like that make me question whether the rest of this thing was done shoddy.

Here are some pics of it. I would really appreciate y'all giving me the good, the bad and the ugly keeping in mind the asking price is $18,500.00. Thanks.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/9.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/3.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/8.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/5.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/21.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/23.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/19.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/11.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/ClownFaceKiller/6.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

I'd keep the green interior.

[al8apex]

I guess it all boils down to how much he wants for it ....

I would keep the green interior as well ...

[Gear_Jammer]

Why do y'all think the interior should stay green? Didn't all Yenko Novas come with black interior?

[PxTx]

I'm not digging that car, not even for half that.

[al8apex]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gear_Jammer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why do y'all think the interior should stay green? Didn't all Yenko Novas come with black interior? </div></div>

they came with whatever color interior you ordered.

That car has decent panels, headliner, etc

It will look &quot;cheap&quot; when he sprays everything black

IMHO anyway

It looks like it has drum brakes, probably mono leaf rear springs too

I did not see the price you listed, you could do worse I suppose, but I think he is deep sea fishing ....

[70 Forest Green Zee]

Should take the sYc decals off the headrests....I don't believe that Yenko Deuces had them.

[camarojoe]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: al8apex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gear_Jammer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why do y'all think the interior should stay green? Didn't all Yenko Novas come with black interior? </div></div>

they came with whatever color interior you ordered.

</div></div>

No, actually all of the Deuces had black standard interior. The black seats looks like they're from a '74. Are the stripes painted on the car or are they decals? The reason I ask is because they are very poorly done, with incorrect fonts, widths, and placement. If they are just decals they can easily be removed and replaced with the correct style. If they are painted on, well.. not such an easy fix. I like Forest Green Deuces more than just about anybody, but from what i can see I think I'd probably pass on this car for the money.

[al8apex]

re interior color

I stand corrected, I wouldn't have guessed that a customer could have any interior color they wanted as long as it was black ... That was Henry Ford's saying from nearly 100 years ago.

[x Baldwin Motion]

[quote=al8apex]re interior color

well, it's NOT a Yenko so the green is OK. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

and from what others have mentioned, it's not even a good clone.

did I say I like green ? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Salvatore]

I honestly think you can do better for the money especially a nova. That kinda is one ugly car IMO. If that guy is a car restorer then look out.

[Tracker1]

Keep your money. Get yourself a driver 1972 SS350 4-speed if that's the price range you are working in. Buy the best possible car you can afford. I've learned that the hard way - by not doing it. That car is not THE ONE. Good luck

[Salvatore]

X2 Tracker 1

[olredalert]

-----Id vote against too, even if it was cheaper, but for another reason as well. Who puts the hood tach in almost the center of the hood??? Im pretty sure nobody at Yenko in Cannonsburg would have. Obviously, not easy to correct and it really stands out, to me at least........Bill S

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

This question comes up often, and is best solved by following this simple rule:

What would a reasonable person pay for that car if the Yenko stripes/emblems were not attached? Then, subtract that # from the asking price and you've just calculated the stripe/emblem cost. If you could go buy them for less, then its better to go buy a different car and install them yourself!

In this case, there really isn't anything on the car that is correct for a Yenko Deuce. So, you aren't even getting correct Yenko items on a clone car - which begs the question &quot;what exactly are you buying?&quot; Its a way overpriced car where the seller is trying to justify the high price with some incorrect Yenko trinkets = pass.

[SuperNovaSS]

Agreed. I would keep looking. It looks like a driver type car that was painted and had stripes, emblems, and a dual snorkel air cleaner installed. I don't like to pick apart peoples cars. In fact, I would be happy to drive this car while fixing it.

The jambs have not even been painted yet. The seat cover looks like it was installed over another covers. Finally, if the exhaust says anything for the build quality, look out.

If this car is what you are looking for, then buy it. Just make sure to pencil it out and make sure it is worth it. I agree on the half the price. It looks like the guy took a $2500 car, painted it, and added a few parts like wheels, bumpers, and a foam steering wheel.

You should be able to be patient and find a nice 68 GTO for that type of money. If you are willing to have a GTO clone, then you should be able to find a REALLY nice car!


Jason

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if the exhaust says anything for the build quality, look out. Jason</div></div>

......and it appears the heater core is shot since the the hoses are not hooked up to it.......

[x Baldwin Motion]

I see it has a current NY inspection sticker, where is the car located? maybe one of us is close enough to check it further.

I would never buy another car from the NE with salted rust and rotten floors <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif

[Gear_Jammer]

That you all for your responses. It's obvious to me that y'all know far more about Novas than I do. I'm going to rule this one out, but I'm about to start a new post on another Nova I've found. Thank again.

[mockingbird812]

Above all - look for a dry rust free/minimal rust car if at all possible - the rest is gravy.