Hello everyone!

[rickraft]

After sitting on the sidelines for what seems like forever, I am finally jumping into the Supercar fray. I have just purchased a nice documented '69 L-78 driver quality Nova. It is an early production car, sold new through Cliff Bristow Motors in Three Hills, Alberta. I will be looking to find ownership history here shortly. I can not even begin to say thank you to the members that have been so generous over the years, providing great interest stories and photo opps. For what it is worth, thanks to folks who keeps us dialed in with the Pavilion gstherings, and the rest that follow the musclecar gatherings across the nation.

[John]

Welcome to the site... sounds like a neat Nova that you have found. There are several Nova collectors that can probably answer any questions you have.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

Hey Z...welcome! Do you have a name? Pavillions pics will be slowing down fairly quickly. It's getting hot out here now! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[1969z280]

Yeah Bruce, my buddy from Scottsdale only calls in January and February to give me weather reports. Never in the Summer when you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. Those high compression, solid-lifter cars can't favor the heat much. LOL, Ed

[Xplantdad]

You are right Ed!

[CC Rider]

Hello! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SUPERSPORT396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </div></div>


yes, hello <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[lwkitt427]

CONGRATS ON YOUR PURCHASE

[rickraft]

Hi Bruce, name's Rick. I know what you mean about the heat down there. Not a cars best friend, or an egg.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Any pics, or info you can share, color, rear gears, interior, etc. A few of us like Novas. (big smile)

[mockingbird812]

pix please!

[rickraft]

Car was originally Fathom Green, with black buckets and vinyl roof. It is painted red now, but will be going back to original the color when the resto begins. Has console w/o gauges, AM radio, M-20 &amp; G-80 Posi along with G-82 code for axle ratio-performance? I was thinking should be 3:55 from what I have read, but maybe it is a 3:73? Previous owner mentioned it seems quite low for hi-way cruising. Wheels should be painted steel with dog dish's and F70 x 14 redlines. Has 14x7 rallies on it now. Car also has ZJ5 exterior decor trim package. I still have to bring the car home, so hopefully be able to share more info along with pics then. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[CDNL-78]

Welcome. Get us some pictures when you get a chance. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Xplantdad]

Good deal Rick! I like Novas!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sounds strikingly similar to our '69 - just a darker green, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

The 3.55 ratio was the standard gear for the L78, 3.31 for the L34. You could get steeper gears installed under special order in '69 though, so check the axle tube when you get it home.

The non gauge console is sort of neat, don't see that too often - our car is the same. Make sure you have the console specific interior heater box.

Check those rally wheels for dates and codes, you might just have a ZJ7 car. I think the wheel code is YJ (?). Many times when the car has a lot of gingerbread on it, it has non XT wheels too. I learned that with our car. I assumed it was an XT car, but learned that that it likely had the rally wheel option.

Looking forward to pics!

[PeteLeathersac]

Welcome aboard!.
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

I see you already made the Bristow connection and landed on the ZL1 thread!.
Have you come upon the Bristow delivered '70 L78 Nova that exists yet, M40 car, Shadow Grey, still here in Canada?.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[bav70ss]

There is a cortez silver 69 Nova five minutes from me that is a Bristow Motors car. It still has the dealer installed Doug Thorley headers. The owner says he has paperwork showing the cost of the dealer conversion to a 427. 1970 Bristow Novas received an LS6 conversion. Fun stuff indeed!
John.

[JayR]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Check those rally wheels for dates and codes, you might just have a ZJ7 car. I think the wheel code is YJ (?). Many times when the car has a lot of gingerbread on it, it has non XT wheels too. I learned that with our car. I assumed it was an XT car, but learned that that it likely had the rally wheel option.</div></div>

Marlin, it sounds from the info provided that he has the GM Canada documentation for this car. If the car came with ZJ7 from the factory, it would be listed under the options on the documentation. This was the case with my 1970 L78.

Bob

[rickraft]

Hi Pete, I have not come accross the L-78 Shadow Grey car, but I am sure it would be pretty nice looking in that color.
As to the wheels, pretty sure it is a steel wheel car, as having had a number of Canadian cars with the GM Canada paperwork, the rally wheel code has been listed when equipped.
I would love to see that Cortez Silver car, one of my fave colors too, and the paperwork supporting the 427 install would be very cool to see also.
Should be picking up the car and bringing it home later this week. I will be able to check diff code and other things then and post that info. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[Postsedan]

Welcome! Your at the &quot;Right&quot; Place.

Dan

[rickraft]

Sorry for the time lapse. The car is finally home now. I have checked the rear diff, and the code is for a 3:55. Trans is presently a M-20 out of a '71 Cutlass / 442, complete with the original GM/Hurst shifter. Guess it will make it's way onto the sell list at some point. The car is going to need a bunch of work, especially in the interior department. It is all pretty much done for this life. The rally wheels were just a collection of rims to roll it down the road, so they will be finding a new home shortly also. I have a nice set of 14x7 steelies and 5 NOS Firestone F-70 redlines for when the resto gets serious. I have pics, if someone can help me upload them, much thanks!