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View Full Version : Rich " Mr. Chevy's" 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396/375


Xplantdad
10-31-2011, 01:37 AM
After a long (too long) absence...I present the first of the new Members Rides! Thanks to Rich for sharing <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

I purchased this car in the spring of 1997. The car retains all of it's original sheet metal, floors, trunk etc... The odometer displayed 21,000 actual miles when I purchased the car. Now it has 29,000 miles. The interior is all original to the car with the exception of the black colored carpeting. The car originally had a black colored rubber floor mat. The car is an original 396-402/375 horsepower Super Sport Nova. The car was sold new at Gillogly Chevrolet in West Seneca, New York. Delivery date of this car was March 6, 1970. The car lived most of it's life in the Buffalo, New York area as a street racer. I have been in contact with the second owner of this car who purchased it from the original owner in 1972. I was able to confirm much about the car and it's history through this second owner.

After purchasing the car I pulled the tired motor in 1998. I went through it, had it machined and rebuilt it. The motor was rebuilt to the stock 396/402 L78/ 375 horsepower specifications including the solid lifter camshaft. The motor was missing some of it's original components when I purchased the car such as the intake manifold, carburetor, air cleaner assembly, valve covers, water pump, exhaust manifolds and smog system. The car had headers on it and aftermarket performance items which most any muscle car owner would have done back in the day. My goal was to put everything back to stock.

I replaced the missing engine components with original, nos and date coded parts. The Turbo 400 transmission was in good shape and was just pulled out, cleaned and re installed. The engine compartment was freshened up and detailed before the motor was put back in with all of it's correct parts. The original 12 bolt/posi rear end is still in the car and was originally a 3.55 gear ratio as most SS Novas were. It once had a 4.56 gear in it and now has a 3.73 gearing which I like for the street.

I have mildly detailed the undercarriage and most of same is original. After doing the engine work I then decided to have the paint work done in the spring of 1999. The car is an original code 10 white car. The black vinyl top is original to the car and in excellent shape. The original white paint was very dingy and tired. My goal was to have the car repainted because it needed same. I wanted to paint it in the correct code 10 white which I did. This color was called &quot;Classic White&quot; in 1970.

I had a local body guy do the paint work. The body was extremely solid for being a northern car and I was told the car was never driven in the snow. The sheet metal and undercarriage proved same. There was ZERO rust on the body panels. The car sat in a climate controlled building for many years without being driven due to the fact that the second owner lost his drivers license due to street racing this car.

The car originally came with the body colored XT steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps. There was no trim package on this car. It was basically just a &quot;plain Jane&quot; Nova SS. I drive this car to local cruise inns and car shows, of course never in the rain!! The car is an absolute blast to drive and has no power steering. I have taken the car to some big shows and won awards. The car has earned awards at The Classic Chevy International Show in 2000, Super Chevy Show in 2001, A Gold Spinner award at Chevy Vettefest in Chicago, Ill. in 2008 while part of the SYC High Performance Nova Display and many trophies at small, local area car shows.

The car has had small feature magazine articles in the October 2000 Classic Chevrolet International Magazine and the November 2005 Muscle Car Enthusiast Magazine. Recently I have taken the car drag racing at National Trails in Columbus, Ohio. I have also done some &quot;day two&quot; modifications to the car. I installed a set of Cragar SS 14x7 wheels with reproduction M&amp;H Racing Slicks, Hurst Drag Shocks, Dick Harrell Style Leaf Spring Clamps for traction, Vintage Stewart Warner Gauges, Chevrolet Dealer Installed/Over the Counter Dash Tachometer, and an original GM Carburetor Heat Shield. I have also installed a Vintage Chevrolet Dealer Tissue/Litter Container.

The car has the aux. lighting package as well as the rare windshield washer monitor light. The car also has the original Delco AM/FM radio.

Special Thanks to: &quot;Big Daddy Steve&quot; SYC member 68l30 for his help over the years with the completion and detailing of this car.

Thanks Bruce.....

Rich





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture3196.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4842.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture2186.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4854.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4845.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4847.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4846.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4850.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture2363.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4844.jpg

Xplantdad
10-31-2011, 01:37 AM
More...at the strip!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4077.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture4073.jpg

And lastly, at the cruise!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/Members%20Rides%202/Richs%20Nova/tn_Picture754.jpg

mockingbird812
10-31-2011, 01:46 AM
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif I'm diggin' it Rich. Looks GREAT. Love white Novas! Nice touch with the Gillogly racing helmet. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif



P.S. Day-Two rules!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

brent396
10-31-2011, 11:36 AM
Very nice great looking car <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Salvatore
10-31-2011, 02:19 PM
Lookin good Rich! Nice detail!!

RPOLS3
10-31-2011, 02:30 PM
Nice ride - like the detail.

Jake

SS427
10-31-2011, 03:42 PM
VERY, very nice!

Plowman
10-31-2011, 04:45 PM
Looking good,and Day-2 too. Paul

CC Rider
10-31-2011, 05:26 PM
Nice! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

ORIGLS6
10-31-2011, 06:36 PM
I'm a little partial to White Novas myself. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

This car looks even better up-close. Very, very nice Rich! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

kwhizz
10-31-2011, 11:10 PM
Congrats Rich!!!......Great Car......

Mr.Nickey Nova
11-01-2011, 12:56 AM
Looks great in white Rich,nice car.It's good to see that you drive your car.

Newman
11-01-2011, 03:59 AM
Awesome car, Grumpy Jenkins would love it!

MrsBillyBobcat
11-01-2011, 04:31 AM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Newman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome car, Grumpy Jenkins would love it! </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Love it Rich...thanks for sharing! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

TDW
11-01-2011, 11:47 AM
Car sure looks good. Very clean. I like it best with the black wheels on the rear.

WILMASBOYL78
11-02-2011, 03:39 AM
Very nice Nova....good luck.

wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

1969l78
11-02-2011, 04:47 PM
Great Nova

Mr. Chevy
11-19-2011, 05:20 AM
Thanks for the kind words and compliments!!

Rich

'69Novajoe
11-26-2011, 03:33 AM
<span style="color: #3333FF"><span style="font-weight: bold">What a cool looking Nova. I don't think I've ever seen that color combo before. I like it!!</span></span>

mockingbird812
11-26-2011, 04:27 AM
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 23pt">Rich's Nova is the essence of bad-boy day-two rat-motored coolness!!!</span></span>

Salvatore
11-26-2011, 01:59 PM
A great line Sam, I agree!!!

Mr70
11-26-2011, 09:45 PM
Beautiful car &amp; color combo...nicely done. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Mr. Chevy
06-04-2012, 02:12 AM
Installed some tow tabs on the Nova.....

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5717.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5718.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5719.jpg

Xplantdad
06-04-2012, 04:23 AM
Looks great Rich!

mockingbird812
06-04-2012, 05:08 AM
Nice Rich! Cool touch!!

day2killa
06-04-2012, 10:51 AM
I like the sticker on them looks cool

Nova Jed
06-19-2012, 01:44 AM
Love it all Rich!

PxTx
06-20-2012, 02:17 AM
I certainly am partial, but the tabs look great! Sam is poking BBBenny to give his car a Day 2 re-fresh. I think there isn't a more compelling car than yours Rich. Not everyone needs to commit to the full headers and Dragstrip treatment. Very tasteful <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Installed some tow tabs on the Nova.....

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5717.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5718.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5719.jpg </div></div>

MosportGreen66
06-20-2012, 02:29 AM
Rich - looks awesome! Where did you get those decals?

Dan

Mr. Chevy
06-21-2012, 10:49 PM
Thanks for the kind words fellas.... I had only 1 negative response from a friend about them.. Everyone else likes them.. Dan, the decals are from an e-bay seller and a member on the site here. Ebay Seller:
Member id: tjada.. He has a set right now on for sale Item number: 261047121439... I just trimmed them down a bit and stuck them on the insides of the tabs...

Rich

Salvatore
06-24-2012, 04:07 PM
I am still bugging Benny Paul. He needs to commit to the stuff Rick did. I also am a big header guy but that is just me. Other than mags that is the second thing we did 40 years ago when we saved an extra $100.00 up. Get rid of the smog.

will
08-31-2012, 10:13 PM
love the white w/black top!
I have a tow-bar just like that out in the garage. cool!

jims68nova
10-12-2012, 01:59 AM
Love it!! And I live 15 min away from Gillogly Chevrolet!!

Igosplut
11-08-2012, 09:10 PM
Nice to see the NNN decal also. I'm in the middle of researching my 70 L78 novas origins now.....

WILMASBOYL78
11-14-2012, 09:11 PM
Back in the day there was a car like this in the Poughkeepsie, NY area...it was the same combo, white with/black vinyl top...L78, column auto..it had the Tarantula manifold, bigger carb,big valve covers, fly-eye style air cleaner, Mallory ignition, Grant wheel, Cragars, Headers w/Chrome side pipes, Sun gauges, etc...don't remember the brand of tires or what suspension stuff there was...needless to say it was a neat car. I think it was professionally done...might even have been a Motion car...keep in mind this was 38 years ago, so the details are a little fuzzy. He did run it a Dover Drag Strip in Modified class..one a few trophies.

His father burnt his leg on the side pipes one day and that was the end of the car <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

wilma

SCMProf
06-16-2013, 04:23 PM
I just ran across this post so I thought I'd join the registry and add a little detail about your car's history. The dealer name was actually Hamister-Gillogly Chevrolet at the time. My dad was Fred Gillogly's partner until from the late '50s through 1973. It's very cool to see a car from that business still on the road, and it looks great!

mockingbird812
06-16-2013, 07:15 PM
Thanks for checking in Jim and welcome. I am sure Rich will appreciate your input.

Looks like you are a Pontiac fan! We have quite a few around here.

Xplantdad
06-16-2013, 11:30 PM
I forwarded Jim's PM's that I received to Rich <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

Mr. Chevy
06-17-2013, 04:55 AM
Thanks fellas..

Rich

Mr. Chevy
10-16-2013, 05:35 PM
I changed the front tires out this summer to skinnies for a little different look... Over the late winter/early spring I plan on installing 4:10 gears in the rear with Moser Axels and new Universal Joints... I have 3:73s back there now with the stock axels... I'll be ready for National Trails in the spring Doug!!

Rich

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture6008.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/RICHRUTT/media/Picture6008.jpg.html)

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5995.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/RICHRUTT/media/Picture5995.jpg.html)

m22mike
10-16-2013, 05:42 PM
... I'll be ready for National Trails in the spring Doug!!

Rich

Rich
That White car want's me to make a few pass's in it ..... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif....I promise not to hurt it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

Mike

Mr. Chevy
10-16-2013, 05:46 PM
I'll feel more comfortable beating the snot out of it with the rear end beefed up more!! I was a little leery last time due to the stock components back there and what happened to you at the track w/Grady's slicks...

Rich

COPO CARTEL
10-16-2013, 07:13 PM
Rich that looks Bad A$$. Between Mike, Dave and myself ...we can show you and elaborate on how to break things. National Trails knows how to eat rear axles ....right Mike ? It's not fun when you have to take the trailer to the starting line ....been there done that . You are welcome to stay at my place as well ....Grady , Mike, Dave and myself will sneak your car out

earntaz
10-16-2013, 07:58 PM
Friggin' AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing ... The TAZ

Xplantdad
10-17-2013, 01:39 AM
Looks great Rich!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Bill Rose
10-17-2013, 08:25 PM
I wasn't always a big Cragar fan, but your Nova looks great with them. I've been looking into what wheels I can put on the Nova, for that nostalgic look.

What size wheels and tires did you go with? Are the back tires the M/H cheater slicks? Is this the same set-up as Gradys Nova? I'm also wondering what back spacing the 4 Cragars have.

kwhizz
10-18-2013, 02:28 AM
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

mockingbird812
10-18-2013, 02:34 AM
Very tuff looking Rich! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Mr. Chevy
10-18-2013, 02:58 AM
Bill, the rears are M&amp;H Cheater slicks on 14x7 Cragars. The fronts are Coker Firestone, 670-15, Bias-Ply, Blackwall on 15x6 Cragars.. The fronts are the same set up Grady has on his blue 69 Chevelle 300 that was at the Chevelle show this year..

Bill, your gold Nova looks great!! I love the look of the 5 spoke SS wheels with the bias ply wide ovals that you have on it in the restoration thread of the car...

Thanks guys for the compliments...

Rich

Bill Rose
10-18-2013, 03:36 AM
Thanks Rich. Grady did tell me he has the 15's on the front, and 14's in the back. How does the car ride with the slicks and thinner tires up front? I know it's not gonna ride like a good set of radials, but do the slicks ride like any bias ply tire would?

Also I assume both front and rear Cragars have the larger back spacing?
I think the fronts hava a 3.375&quot; back spacing, and the rears are 4.125&quot;....?

69VN
10-18-2013, 01:10 PM
Very nice Nova! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

Mr. Chevy
10-18-2013, 03:31 PM
Yes Bill, that sounds correct on the back spacing, I actually can't remember now what exactly the measurements were.. I know one of the big things with the back spacing is for disc brake clearance.. The car rides very good believe it or not.. Of course nothing rides like radials.. But you would be surprised how nice it actually rides..

Rich

Bill Rose
10-18-2013, 09:18 PM
The only other back spacing available on the 15 x 6 Cragar's, is 2&quot;...and 2.5 on the rear. I assume those are the &quot;deep dish&quot; wheels...not good for Nova's.

Rich, Your Nova looks great, as well as Grady's with the Cragar's/slicks/skinnies up front. I think I'll go that route, unless I decide to stick with white steelies in the back.

Salvatore
10-19-2013, 02:14 AM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I changed the front tires out this summer to skinnies for a little different look... Over the late winter/early spring I plan on installing 4:10 gears in the rear with Moser Axels and new Universal Joints... I have 3:73s back there now with the stock axels... I'll be ready for National Trails in the spring Doug!!

Rich

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture6008.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/RICHRUTT/media/Picture6008.jpg.html)

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture5995.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/RICHRUTT/media/Picture5995.jpg.html)</div></div>
Great looking set up Rich. I would skip the 4:10's and go with a 4:56 set up. Will be much improved and will be no problem driving on the street and to the track. car looks great!

ORIGLS6
10-19-2013, 05:40 AM
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture6008.jpg

PERFECT!!!!! Grumpy would be proud! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif