A few Nova questions

[Bill Rose]

I've been tossing around the idea of changing the interior in my 69 Nova for a couple yrs. Been pretty busy since I finished restoring the Nova 2 yrs ago. I built a garage, remodeled the house garage etc.

The car was originally was a 6 cyl/auto, now with a big block/4 speed/12 bolt, so changing the interior is not something I'm concerned with.

Several questions from a Chevelle guy, who owns a Nova...lol.

The Nova currently has a standard black bench seat interior, in excellent condition. My plan is to put a factory bucket seat with console interior in the car. So I will be changing to custom door panels too.

Questions: The Nova currently has a Hurst 4 speed shifter with a Muncie chrome handle & knob. What do I have to do to the shifter, if anything, to add the console, besides welding in a console hump? Is the console shifter the same, linkage the same, handle the same, etc?? I don't see listings in the Nova catalogs for a hurst shifter with console??

I was also considering an interior color change. What color interiors were available from the factory in 69, with an Olympic Gold/black roof Nova? I did see a gold interior Nova at a car show that I really liked, but was that color available in 69??

I'm also looking for a nice clear picture of a 69-72 Nova floor pan from inside the car, with the carpet removed so I can see the placement of the bucket seat brackets welded to the floor. I have the brackets, but the 2 pictures I have aren't clear enough to see the bracket details.

Here's a shot of the car. Perhaps some may remember the resto I documented here on SYC.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/523976/1

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_4141.jpg

[Postsedan]

Bill,

Not another Bench Seat to be tossed for Buckets and a Console <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

I would leave it as is.....You did a fantastic Job with Nova - as you have done so with everyone of your Beautiful Cars....if she were mine I would leave her just as she is.

Bill....she is yours to do as you please.....But I LOVE a Bench Seat - 4 Speed over buckets....that`s just me <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

My 2nd Choice is Bench Seat on the Column Automatic
My 3rd Choice is Buckets no Console - 4 speed
Last would be Buckets and Console - 4 Speed. JMO.

Dan

[Salvatore]

I am with Dan. I thought you built this car as a &quot;go fast&quot; type car. The standard interior would be the choice of the race car guys when new. Besides, it is a very nice interior already.

[Bill Rose]

I hear you guys.......but this wasn't a decision I made quickly. This car gets driven a lot. That's why I built it. The bench seat is just not comfortable. I had 2 back surgeries earlier in my life (20's) and the bench seat just doesn't work for me. If it was a numbers car like my other cars, it would be a different story. I like bench seat cars as much as the next guy, but in the interest of comfort, and staying out of the operating room.............

[L78steve]

There is a sticky at Steve's Nova Site in Originality that will give you all the bucket seat info you desire.
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32475

[Postsedan]

Bill,

I clearly understand the back issue....and we are all built a bit different. I personally am super comfy in a Bench Seat car. As many times I have driven a Chevelle Bench or Buckets....the famous question is what is more comfortable. You will get a lot of different answers. Perhaps the other concern may also be that you are in a Nova vs. a Chevelle and are lacking a bit room and ride as well. Again, just trying to help you....not saying anything good or bad....just facts.

You could also make a custom split power adjusting bench seat with a factory appearing arm rest. Just say`n. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

I just want you to keep enjoying your Nova.....nothing worse than building a beautiful car that you can no longer enjoy or use.

Dan

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Bill, i know where you are coming from for i also have had two lower back surgeries myself in the last 20 years. I have two Novas with bench seats also, which i drive about 300 miles each a year. I don't plan on making any changes to the seats for that is the way they came when new. Maybe you can have the front bench refoamed to make it firmer to give yourself extra support. I'm with Dan &amp; Sam on this one, car looks great the way it sits.

[PxTx]

Bill has great taste. There is no way I don't trust his vision for the upgrade. Love the idea of a non-black gut too. Look forward to more posts and pics as it evoles.

[Bill Rose]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78steve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is a sticky at Steve's Nova Site in Originality that will give you all the bucket seat info you desire.
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32475
</div></div>
I do have those pics on file Steve. They aren't clear enough to see where the small outside seat brackets go. I thought someone might have a good pic of a clean bare floor that would show it more clearly.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Nickey Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bill, i know where you are coming from for i also have had two lower back surgeries myself in the last 20 years. I have two Novas with bench seats also, which i drive about 300 miles each a year. I don't plan on making any changes to the seats for that is the way they came when new. Maybe you can have the front bench refoamed to make it firmer to give yourself extra support. I'm with Dan &amp; Sam on this one, car looks great the way it sits. </div></div>
The bench seat is actually pretty firm for a bench seat. The problem is the angle of the back in relation to the seat. Plus bench seats give no support when flying around corners, I tend to slide across the seat....lol... Maybe I'm too use to being glued to the seat in the Corvette. Thats the position I'm looking for. I can drive the Vette all day long and not have a single ache when I get out.

Still looking for a pic of a clean/blasted/painted floor. Just not sure where the 4 small seat track brackets go. I have most of the parts to do this conversion. I'm still driving the car. As soon as the snow starts flying, I'm planning to do this project. I guarantee it will come out the way I want it to look, otherwise, I wouldn't do it, or spend the couple thousand dollars in parts.

It can always be turned back to a bench seat car with a couple days work.

I'm looking for a Nova floor pic like this one I have of my El Camino floor. Anybody?
http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/wrrose/100_1893.jpg (http://s533.photobucket.com/user/wrrose/media/100_1893.jpg.html)

[jasonL78]

Bill having a nova with bucket seats IMHO isn't going to make you back issue any better. This is one of the main reasons I sold my 68 L78 nova with bucket seats. I was very uncomfortable driving the car. Not enough leg room for me and if I was in the car driving for a short period of time I could barely walk when I got out. The nova seats sit up high for me being 6'3 my head and leg room was limited. But I think this is what you are looking for? You know 68-71 nova bucket seat brackets are nova only, chevelle bucket seat tracks are longer.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/jasonchale/68%20L78/2006_0130_190354.jpg (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/jasonchale/media/68%20L78/2006_0130_190354.jpg.html)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/jasonchale/68%20L78/2006_0130_171320.jpg (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/jasonchale/media/68%20L78/2006_0130_171320.jpg.html)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/jasonchale/68%20L78/2006_0130_171244.jpg (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/jasonchale/media/68%20L78/2006_0130_171244.jpg.html)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/jasonchale/68%20L78/2006_0130_171106.jpg (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/jasonchale/media/68%20L78/2006_0130_171106.jpg.html)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/jasonchale/68%20L78/2006_0130_171015.jpg (http://s35.photobucket.com/user/jasonchale/media/68%20L78/2006_0130_171015.jpg.html)

[napa68]

Have you thought of redoing the bench seat but using a memory foam, like in a mattress? Ive seen it in a few high end builds and it would seem to be the ticket for comfort and support while keeping the bench seat esthetic.


http://www.foambymail.com/

Tim

[Postsedan]

I say go for a test drive first. Go find a local Buddy that owns a Nova with Buckets.....offer to fill his gas tank and go for an hour ride......if I owned such a car I would let you have it for a week or longer to experiment.

Note to Bill: A Nova will never give you the same driving experience as your New Corvette.

Dan

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bill...you have done a great job with the car. I was glad to see Jason chime in about the leg room and comfort aspect of the buckets. If you can drive a bucket seat Nova as Dan suggests it could help you make an 'informed' decision. I have driven a few Novas <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif and personally I find the bench seat more comfortable...but each person has to make their own choice. If originality is not an issue, you could look for a set of 72 Nova hi-back buckets....they have more support and perhaps would be more comfortable...but, I kind a think you like things to be correct so this may not work. The deluxe interior will have the upgraded door panels and back seat panels...there will also be armrests in the back. {let me know if you need a pair, I might have a set]

If you do the bucket route...you can adjust the firmness with new foam/padding and also by some work on the springs. I usually test the seats out of the car at the upholstery shop...sometimes with just the padding/foam in place...easy to make changes before the covers go on and they are installed.

As for the shifter...you will need a console model...there is a difference. You will also need the console base which gets welded to the floor...basically the shifter comes out more 'straight up' vs the offset with a bench seat. If you opt for the factory gauge package that means an in-dash tach would replace the current gas gauge [which moves to the console].

If I can help with other info let me know.

tom

[Bill Rose]

Thanks for the pictures Jason. The seat/floor brackets in 68 are different. The 69-72 brackets are the the ones I need. I'm not sure about the 68 outer brackets. They may be the same for 68. I'll look in to that.......and yes, I'm aware of the Nova seat tracks being different. I have a set coming on Monday....Thanks again.

The bucket seats in a 69 Nova, are the same seats I have in my 69 El Camino, 68 Chevelle, and the 71 Chevelle I drove around for many years. I did a lot a 2 hour trips to car shows.....and back home again, with no back aches. Same with my 68 Chevelle. I don't drive it as much, but the bucket seat is way better on my bones than the Nova bench seat. I have no problem with let room in the Nova. I also put together a 2nd set of Nova wheels with radials. They helped a lot too.

We have 7 vehicles around here, between the old ones, my Silverado, my wife's cars, my junk snow car etc, and the only one that gives me aches and pains is the bench seat Nova. Soon to be remedied.... If I ever sell the car, which in unlikely, and the new guy wants the bench seat set-up, he can deal with it.

[Bill Rose]

Tom, I do want to stick with 69 Stuff/seats. All the old cars I have, have the same bucket seats, and I have no problems with them. The seats are going to be completely new. New springs, foam (which I did a lot of research on) and covers of course. I will go with a console, but I may leave the gauges out for now. I have good gauges under the dash. Sounds like I will need a new shifter. I wasn't sure about the rear arm rests. I thought the custom interior might have arm rests. I may be calling.

[Furback]

You have to remember that there are two type of Nova bench seats. Standard and the Deluxe. The standard seats are crap to the point that you are sitting on edges everywhere. The deluxe bench with better foam and deluxe vinyl upholstery is about the same as the buckets as far as comfort goes.

[Furback]

The best Nova bucket seats I ever had were in a 72. Same as the 71 up Camaro seats but with the basket weave pattern covers.

[ban617]

Bill , I may have an extra set of rear arm rests, did you decide on a color ?

[Bill Rose]

Project new interior done. I love it. Way more comfy and doesn't smell musty any more. New bucket &amp; rear seats, console with the aftermarket (accurate) Autometer gauges. New carpet, shifter, and door panels.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_01571.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_0158.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_0177.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_01781.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_0169.JPG

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/IMG_01801.JPG

[Xplantdad]

Looks great, Bill!

[kwhizz]

Beautiful !!!!!

[m22mike]

Nice Bill, way to go... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[92646]

I have a bucket seat interior in my 69 SS350 Nova and I am 6'2&quot;. I used seat extenders from a 69 Camaro to help with the leg room but it made the seat a little higher and headroom is already an issue with the bucket seats compared to the bench seat but the leg room was needed. One thing I learned with Bill if he is going to do something there is nothing you can say to change his mind but when he does it I do not know of anybody that can do it better.

[lowmile]

I thought it was suppose to smell musty.....

[WILMASBOYL78]

That musty smell is from the French fries I left under the seat <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

Looks nice...wilma

[Bill Rose]

Thanks for the feedback gentleman. On to the next project/building cabinets/counter tops for the new shop. I found out doing the Nova interior, I need a lot more horizontal surfaces to work on.

[Postsedan]

Looks Great Bill <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[MosportGreen66]

I marvel at the quality of garage builds like this. You'd swear a professional team in a multi-thousand foot shop did the work. Kuddos Bill, really quality stuff.

Dan

[Ace509a]

@Bill-

Did you weld in your brackets or did you just glue them in. Looks like the latter. I am starting my swap project and trying to determine the best route to go.

[Tommy]

Nova looks Great Bill! Fantastic job


Tommy