1970 BB Nova

[Grim70]

Hello,

I've lurked, posted very little.

Some of you may have seen this car on SNS, I may have talked to some of you and look forward to more. But after reading the post on the Story with the 70 L78 recently I was inspired to try here.

I've been trying to research my car and I'm not having very much luck through most of my channels. My hope is that someone here maybe recognizes this car from back in the day.

Here is a quick summary and some photos. I bought this car when I was 17, this was 1989. It was missing the motor and trans. The guy I bought it from said it was a BB car, at the time I really didn't care. I worked on it, put a SB in it and it was running. I went off to College in 90 and it was in my Grandpa's Barn until three years ago. I've basically documented all the original BB parts on the car so I'm convinced it is an original big block car.

I bought this car in New Berlin Wisconsin in 1989. The guy I bought the car from (Jeff Schaeffer) was from West Best and was keeping it at his Brother in law's house (Craig Damato). Does anyone remember this car? It's hard to miss with the Double Dash Green. I know this car was raced, possibly at the Grove? I'm not sure if it was ever on the street. Any leads would be appreciated. If you want me to add some more info just ask.

Thanks in Advance

[Grim70]

Working on pics??

[Grim70]

Day I bought it in 1989

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/Nova1-5.jpg

Day it came home

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/day1.jpg

Out of the Barn for a bit in 91
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/Nova6-4.jpg

Finally time to come out
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/100_0890.jpg

First Light since 91

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/100_0897-1-1.jpg

Last summer 2012

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/2012-04-21_14-54-44_897.jpg

[Postsedan]

Oh Wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Dan

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Please get it running and cruise around in it the way it is! Love cool beaters like that.

[Grim70]

I do. It Rips, no plans to make it nice for awhile. I guess kind of catching up for lost time with it from the late 80's. Plus, I hate washing things!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/2012-04-21_14-54-57_707.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/2012-09-01_18-41-38_258.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh Wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Dan </div></div>

Wilma wasn't &quot;online&quot; yesterday...took a day off from the SYC Cyberworld...it looks like a cool old car...would love to see more of the details and photos...and yes, I would drive it as for awhile before doing anything serious...

With one exception: please do something with that fuel line...that flare nut setup scares me...too close to the fan...if that ever leaks while your driving..watch out...I would recommend a factory style line that comes up in the stock position..not a big fan of those universal Holley fuel lines...but, if the rubber connection is new...I can live with it...but, that current rig scares me!
Hope to learn more about this car...my first L78 car back in the day was green.

wilma


H

[Schonyenko2]

I've visited with Grim over at SNS I believe he has a Nottingham Green fire mist poly Cadillac color. Sans the -- on the trim tag. Not that unusual to find Caddy colors on special pnt applications.
I believe he has what he thinks he has. A special pnt L78 Nova.
Very cool.

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schonyenko2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've visited with Grim over at SNS I believe he has a Nottingham Green fire mist poly Cadillac color. Sans the -- on the trim tag. Not that unusual to find Caddy colors on special pnt applications.
I believe he has what he thinks he has. A special pnt L78 Nova.
Very cool. </div></div>

Yes, we talked back when I was first getting ready to pull it out of the Barn again. Tom we talked too and Yes, that line is going. Bought a new carb and factory style line this winter.

I've been trying to trace this back. Had to Wi officers working behind the scenes to try and find something. I'm still waiting for my WI DMV to answer my request. With all these troubles finding something I wonder if I'm the first to register it for the street. Possibly it just went straight to the track? I've been running it around at several cruise nights and shows hoping that somebody remembers it. I haven't given up hope yet.

Anyway, here is some more pics. The pics below is what came on the car when I bought it in 1989. Otherwise, I have been able (lucky enough) to find all original BB parts that I was missing. I also did this without breaking the bank! Some has just fallen into my lap by chance and some has come with a lot of good people out there that are intrigued with my story and want to see me get it back to stock, well going to be more day 2.

Believe to be L-78. June 70 build. 4speed Bench with F-41 and - - Green.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/PICT1845_zpsdff95b19.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1042.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1044-1.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/PICT1842-1.jpg
There was a posi sticker there where the glue mark S is.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1052-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1045.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1046.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1048.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/2011-06-26_13-08-51_589.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/2011-06-26_13-08-39_565.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1049.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1041-1.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/102_1040-1.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/PICT1846-1.jpg

[Grim70]

And as far as the paint on the frame, that was me when I pulled it out the first time in 89 and gave it a good coating of Brushed on Rustoleum. The seats in the pick were from another parts car. The part that pains me in this pic is the standard door panels I pulled out and are laying there. You can guess I didn't save them!!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/Nova4.jpg

This is a good one with the motor mounts
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/Nova5.jpg

this was the interior when I first got it. The floor had been drilled for Aftermarket buckets, the Indy Steering wheel. Also, see the passenger floor, that big hole was for the fuel line they punched through. Also came with the console tunnel from a parts car.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/Nova/nova2-1.jpg

[Grim70]

Does anyone have a picture of an original Radiator Shroud. Today I came across one in a guys pile of parts I was looking through. It looks old enough to be original. I'm traveling and cant post a picture.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Schoneye, sure its not '69 Rally Green?

[Mr70]

I looked @ a 1970 coded 96 NGFM Caddy recently and it had a hint of metallic in it.

Here's a reference..
http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedis...96&amp;rows=150 (http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?color=Nottingham%20Green%20Fi remist&amp;tditzler=2196&amp;rows=150)

[Schonyenko2]

Firemist Caddy colors have more vivid metallics than non firemist. It's the way they mixed the laquer back then.
While I won't say never, I don't know that I've seen a -- special pnt application from a previous year that wasn't repeated during the production year run and then it probably wasn't a special pnt. For instance, Huggar orange was -- in 69 on Novas, RPO on 70s
I can't recall ever seeing it in reverse. Most times it's a cross brand, to a Caddy color that's why I believe it's NHG.
There's a purple 70 on SNS also a BB I believe that crosses over to a Caddy firemist color. I'd guess he may have wanted Mopar plum crazy, and this was the best they could offer. Don't know

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr70</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I looked @ a 1970 coded 96 NGFM Caddy recently and it had a hint of metallic in it.

Here's a reference..
http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedis...96&amp;rows=150 (http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?color=Nottingham%20Green%20Fi remist&amp;tditzler=2196&amp;rows=150) </div></div>

I've looked at those caddy examples and it looks darker than my car. Although if you look at the one example on that site it seems more vibrant. Otherwise I also thought 69 rally green.

[Grim70]

Found this on another site, thought it was some good reading.....http://www.elcaminocentral.com/archive/index.php/t-21134.html



A dash (--) just means non-standard paint color.

Read this it will explain more.......

fyi

This is his responses to questions back in 2002.

GM Special Paint info from web site discussions by Jim Mattison (former COPO office at Chevrolet) and owner of Pontiac Historical Services.

Wow!!! It appears that there is a lot of interest in the special paint process. I'll do my best to answer most all of everyone’s questions.

First, back in the late 60s and early 70s anyone could order their new Chevy with a special color. Literally any color under the rainbow was available, except for the Cadillac Fire mist colors.

The pricing for a solid color &quot;Special Paint&quot; would vary between no charge and $125.00. Volume would dictate the pricing.

If the customer was a fleet account, or if the dealer would order multiple vehicles in the same color, the pricing would be n/c. However, if the dealer would order a single unit, the pricing could go as high as $125, with various prices in between, based on many other factors.

Some of the other conditions that would require a car order to come through my group was: &quot;Delete Stripes&quot; on a Z-28, Chevelle SS, or other model with painted stripes. Colors that were current production, but on a different model, would also require our approval. We did lots of cars in &quot;Hugger Orange&quot; that normally didn't come in that color as n/c. Also, you wouldn't believe the number of Chevrolets that were painted the popular 1968-69 Pontiac color, &quot;Verdoro Green&quot;! I even remember a fair number of cars being ordered in the 1970 Chrysler color &quot;Plum Crazy&quot;!

It's too bad that I can't get to the Supercar Reunion this year and answer many of your questions in person. It would be so much easier to explain in more detail. However, with the production on the F-body coming to a close, GM has me scheduled to go to the Corvette Museum and represent both Chevy and Pontiac on the same weekend at the Camaro-Firebird Gathering, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

It appears that your car was special ordered through the Chevrolet Fleet &amp; Special Order Department (many of you folks call it the COPO Group).

During the years that I was a part of this group, we processed many orders for vehicles with special paint. Although these vehicles were ordered with &quot;special paint&quot;, they are not considered to be COPO cars. I'm surprised that more of these &quot;special paint&quot; cars haven't shown-up, as many of these orders were for performance cars.

The paint information (926-99568) that you have on both the build sheet and on the trim tag &quot;is&quot; in fact a Dupont paint number. I don't understand why your local Dupont folks can't identify it for you. The &quot;926&quot; denotes that the color is a non-metallic and the &quot;99568&quot; is the mixing formula. While this color may in fact be for Daytona Yellow, it could also be for some other yellow, including a truck color, or a yellow from another car manufacturer. The paint information that was stamped on your trim tag was supposed to be able to assist you or your body shop to identify the &quot;special paint&quot; color, if repair or re-painting was needed at a later date.

If your local paint supplier cannot identify the paint code, I'd give them a piece of this original paint, from an area that has not been exposed to the elements. Hopefully they can scan the color and provide you with a proper match.

Let me know if I can be of any other help to decipher the color.

Jim Mattison

The prefix &quot;767&quot; denotes that the color is Dupont metallic wheel enamel. Non-metallic wheel enamel would be &quot;766&quot;.

I am reasonably sure that I didn't process this order, and yes, the entire wheel on this Chevelle SS would have been painted gold. Some of the guys in my group didn't take the time to think about the possibility of a car having some type of sport wheels. You have to remember that the majority of our business was that of police cars, taxis and municipal vehicles, which came with the standard steel wheels. Occasionally, the plant would call and question the painting instructions, but not all that often!

The next five (5) digits are for the mixing formula of the paint. While I'm not 100% sure, I believe that &quot;98457&quot; is the mixing formula for Anniversary Gold, which has been used on a variety of Chevy’s over the years, to commemorate various anniversaries.

On your other Chevelle, the mixing formula &quot;99616&quot; is for what we used to call &quot;Road Commission Orange&quot;. This was a very popular special order color on trucks, but some cars were ordered with it too! Mostly on &quot;hot rods&quot;!!!

The &quot;1001HA&quot; is the pricing code for the special paint. The charges for a solid color special paint would vary from no charge (1001AA) to $125.00 (1001HA). We would paint a vehicle any color under the rainbow except for the Cadillac Firemist colors and Corvette colors. Our special paint book would have thousands of special colors in it, with more being added weekly. Unfortunately, those days are gone forever!!!

I can still remember the cars that we special painted &quot;Kelly Green&quot; for John Delorean, when he was general manager of Chevy and dating Kelly Harmon. Lots of special &quot;Pink&quot; cars for Nancy Sinatra, too!!!

F&amp;SO &quot;RD0066&quot; refers to the document number for the special order instructions. My department assigned these numbers. This order was the 66th at this plant for the 1970 model year. I believe that the &quot;R&quot; is for the GM Assembly Plant in Arlington, Texas?

I hope that this information is helpful.

Jim Mattison

The Cadillac Firemist colors were excluded due to them having such a course metallic. These colors needed to be sprayed through a special paint gun. Even on a Cadillac, the Firemist paint was quite a costly option!

As for book........... I'll be the first to confess that I thoroughly enjoyed the years that I spent at Chevrolet. Lots of things were going on! It was a time in the automotive industry that we will never see again, as the industry has changed so dramatically!

[Schonyenko2]

I won't argue with Jim M. He was there I wasn't. I would like to hear from someone though that had a (example) 70 nova, chevelle etc painted a 69-68 color and had paperwork for it. I've only seen same year crossovers. Otherwise I think you'd have seen a lot of 70 Lemans blue cars.
I have heard of cars that came to dealerships in primer, then were painted. I can't prove that.
There are a lot of things we know, and don't know, along with exceptions to the rule. That's why we try to sort it out here.

[BLACKLS5]

Mike Carlton has a 1970 L78 Chevelle that is Lemans Blue. He has the build sheet that notes the special paint color. He goes by 704ever on the Team Chevelle site and is a member he also I believe.

[Grim70]

It's hard to tell, I can't find many examples of NGFM. I think it could be. If you look at these it could be.

Has anyone ever seen Green like this on another Nova from the Factory?

http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vemp_1207_1961_corvette_roadster_long_hauler/viewall.html

http://automotivemileposts.com/blog/200910.html

[Schonyenko2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BLACKLS5</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Mike Carlton has a 1970 L78 Chevelle that is Lemans Blue. He has the build sheet that notes the special paint color. He goes by 704ever on the Team Chevelle site and is a member he also I believe. </div></div>

Very good. First I've ever heard about. We've now established it's possible.

I have the old dupont paint chip book I bought new in 70. In looking for a color that matches yours in 70, NHG is about as close as it gets in GM. If you put that chip beside RG the NHG is a touch darker and brighter due to the firemist.
Now if you can, and it appears you can drop back a year, maybe it is RG. That's what cool about this site. You learn something new all the time.
Hell, for years I thought that factory L89 Novas were possible. (big smile)

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schonyenko2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[quote=BLACKLS5]

I have the old dupont paint chip book I bought new in 70. In looking for a color that matches yours in 70, NHG is about as close as it gets in GM. If you put that chip beside RG the NHG is a touch darker and brighter due to the firemist.


It would be great to match those chips side by side to my car. IA is a long way with a BB and $4 gas.

I'm leaning more to the Firemist. There is two RG Camaros running around my area I'm going to see if I can park by them this summer to compare.

This is a great site. Now I just wish somebody would remember the car.



































































































































</div></div>

[olredalert]

----Ken,,,As far as fiberglass Chevys are concerned, I can tell you definitively that many cars were ordered and delivered in primer. There is a very well known 66 427/390 loaded roadster that was restored by an Ohio friend (and a member of this sight) and shown at B-Gold in primer just as it was delivered. When originally delivered it was painted a turquoise Firemist color.
----I also worked for a used car guy on Cape Cod back in the early 70s that ordered several Corvettes in primer because he liked black and was, at least, told that he couldnt order a Corvette in black. He would take delivery and send them straight to a body shop for paint. The thing I noticed about those Corvettes was (probably predicably) that the body work was not well finished at all. Of course regular paint jobs on Corvettes back then were not much to brag about either.......Bill S

[L78racer]

i worked at a chevy dealer in the 70's and we had a '73 vette coupe ordered and delivered in primer.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">----
----I also worked for a used car guy on Cape Cod back in the early 70s that ordered several Corvettes in primer because he liked black and was, at least, told that he couldnt order a Corvette in black. He would take delivery and send them straight to a body shop for paint. The thing I noticed about those Corvettes was (probably predicably) that the body work was not well finished at all. Of course regular paint jobs on Corvettes back then were not much to brag about either.......Bill S </div></div>

Probably was 1972. Thats when the ban on black paint started. I have no idea what caused them to ban black as a color that year. Very strange.

[Schonyenko2]

Bill, I had a friend who worked at Mills, Chev in Moline, and later, Warrens in East Moline in the late 60s early 70s. He said it wasn't uncommon to get a car in unpainted. I know him from school although he was older that me. He worked on both my 70 L78 Nova, and my deuce. I can't prove it, but 40 plus years ago, he had no reason to make it up.
And again, I won't argue with JM, but I shot Caddy firemist through my Binks 7 back in the day with no problems. I do expect the line had less flexibility in gun settings, and thinning ratios.

[Grim70]

Look what just happened to fall into my lap...looked at a nova and spied this in a pile of parts. $20...sold!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/photo1_zps0176ec7b.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/photo3_zps93c8bcc6.jpg

[Z15 SS 454]

Neat car and cool story.

Thought I spied a rear sway bar mount on page 2 in an underneath shot?

Good luck with your research.

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Z15 SS 454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Thought I spied a rear sway bar mount on page 2 in an underneath shot?
</div></div>

Yes, it has the F41. I have the 70 sway bar and hangers going back in this winter when I put the factory multi-leafs back in. So long 70's shackles and Hi lift leafs.

[Z15 SS 454]

Also noticed the car has body side moldings originally and it looks like the same guy/machine pierced the holes for the SS rear body panel low like my car.
Will try to take a pic of my rear body panel and attach cause it sits just like yours.

BTW does your car have 13/16 nuts that hold the front upper control arm shaft in as opposed to 9/16 headed bolts?

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Z15 SS 454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

BTW does your car have 13/16 nuts that hold the front upper control arm shaft in as opposed to 9/16 headed bolts? </div></div>

not sure, I will have to look next time.

[Grim70]

Still on the hunt for history on this car. My name is the only one coming up on the title so far so I don't know if it was ever registered for the road or not? My only hope is that I run across somebody that recognizes it. I've decided I'm going to hold off painting the car until I've exhausted all efforts of finding the original owner.

Anyway, did a little work recently. I replaced the Hi Lift leafs with a set of original 69 Nova BB springs with some swap meet traction bars. With dropping the rear to stock height it was nice to be able to get the factory sway bar back on. Also, I did away with the bias ply's for some new radials. I kept the 14 x 7's in front and found a pair of newer 15 x 7's for the rear and fitted it with a 255/60. Much improved! Great launch and handles great.

Old Hi Lift
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/photo1_zps79c37f6e.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/GrimmSS70/media/photo1_zps79c37f6e.jpg.html)

Now
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/photo2_zpsfd6a1b21.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/GrimmSS70/media/photo2_zpsfd6a1b21.jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii266/GrimmSS70/photo_zpsf0ade2d4.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/GrimmSS70/media/photo_zpsf0ade2d4.jpg.html)

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Nice, you have the correct rear sway bar setup <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Much better on the rear height!!

[Grim70]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice, you have the correct rear sway bar setup <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </div></div>

The Holy Grail of sway bar setups!

[ZiggyL78]

The cool thing about BB Novas was the sound the fan made.Almost sounded like a gear drive.Very distinctive to that car only,as far as I know.

[Grim70]

Well received confirmation from the Wisconsin DMV that all title records for my car prior to 2008 have been purged and destroyed. I guess that explains why the two police friends I know had no luck as well.

Does anyone have any other ways they have tried to find past vehicle information? I'm guessing it's not looking too good for me at this point.

[Salvatore]

NICB report maybe? Contact Bruce Eilenberger (bergey) on the Site. He is a real detective when it comes to finding any vintage info on cars. Maybe he will/can help you.

[Grim70]

Pulling up this thread again for a few updates. Earlier there where discussions on the -- paint color. I found an original 70 paint card for the Cadillac NG Firemist. I used the underside of the trunk that I've had stored inside since 89. It looks closer in person and worse in the pics but I don't see it being a match. Going to find a 69 RallyG card. Anyway, gave me a good chance to pull the hood from storage and finally mate the two again.

Still no further on tracing any history. DMV in Pa had nothing as well, thought with initial delivery there maybe something would pop. I did find the guy that I bought this from but he couldn't remember who he bought it from or any other history.

Still enjoying her the way she is.

[Pro Stock John]

There are some FB groups for GLD, are you in those?

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Sorry if I missed it but have you tried for an NCRS Report yet w/ Dealer shipped to info?
Love the car and all you're doing w/ it including driving it!:headbang:
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Grim70]

Don't do the Facebook thing.

Yep, have the NCRS report. Car was initially delivered to PA.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=127507

Yep, we have fun with it!

[Pro Stock John]

Want me to ask on FB in the old Grove group for you? If so, can you share what city you bought it from?

[Grim70]

Want me to ask on FB in the old Grove group for you? If so, can you share what city you bought it from?

That may be a page I pirated my Wife's FB page and posted something on a while back. not sure. You are welcome to if you like, more eyes the better.

[Grim70]

Just ran across this article in a hemmings. My car was delivered to Bauman Chevy, Could it be one of the 3?

I need to find this former Salesman and Sales manager as well....

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/07/06/unearthing-a-barn-find-special-order-color-1969-z-28

[Grim70]

Uncovered a little more information.

I'm convinced the car was ordered in with 1969 Rallye Green. Astonishingly odd but not out of the ordinary for what Bauman Chevrolet was doing at the time.

I also found an ad place in early July in the Pittsburg Press. Anyone know Andy Taylor....

cool stuff on a 51 year old trail.