70 Baldwin-Motion Nova

[SuperCars]

My 70 Nova has certification letter from Motion/Joel, as well as the Motion work order that Joel performed for Baldwin Chevrolet. It is a SS454 Phase III, M22, side exhaust, 4.88 gears, plus the associated Motion Hi-Perfermance accessories.

When I first saw this Nova I thought it to be a Motion. Having 9 other Motion cars gave me some idea what to look for. So you can understand my stress level during that few day period when the seller was trying to back out of the deal and re-market it. In reference to that, I offer my apology to the "truly innocent" guys, that were unintentionally offended. Likewise, I've received apologies off-line from others that "did interfer", and I appreciated that. There is no need to discuss it further, it's water under the bridge, so let’s please not re-hash it.

[DarrenX33]

How bout a picture Kevin? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[55chevy]

Kevin.. how about sharing MANY pictures of this car with us.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Awesome find man http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Jeff H]

So Kevin, is this one of those situations where the seller could have paid Joel $1500 to verify the car and he probably would have been able to sell it for a lot more? I see some other posts about people trying to verify their B/M cars but are afraid to spend the $1500. I realize it's difficult to spend the money if it comes back not being a B/M car, but there really isn't any other way to verify a B/M car.

I have always been curious as to what type of paperwork Joel has on his cars..If I locate a '68 Camaro and it appears to have Motion items, how extensive is the paperwork? What should I expect from Joel if the car is legit?

[Charley Lillard]

"There is no need to discuss it further, it's water under the bridge, so let’s please not re-hash it." You have brought it up so I guess it is being rehashed. What happened to it being a #'s matching 375 hp 396 ? I'm sure the kid is gonna be tickled to death that he sold a supposed Phase 3 Motion Nova for 9500.00.

[DarrenX33]

[ QUOTE ]
What should I expect from Joel if the car is legit?

[/ QUOTE ] A bill for $1500 and either a pot of gold or lump of coal. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif What you got there Greg?

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]
" I'm sure the kid is gonna be tickled to death that he sold a supposed Phase 3 Motion Nova for 9500.00.

[/ QUOTE ]--a PEPTO BISMOL moment http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[SuperCars]

Both the prior (3rd) owner and the kid (4th owner) suspected it was a Motion, but neither were willing to pay the fee. The kid bought it from the third owner as a Project 396/375 Nova.

Before looking at the car, I was told by him on the phone it had original drivetrain, and everything to totally restore the car. What I found was that it had a camaro rear, trans with different VIN on it, and a re-stamped VIN on the block. The Body did have the original 3/8 single fuel line telling me it was 375HP car from GM. Little or nothing was there to restore the car. I've already started by buying parts, all NOS sheetmetal (quarters were radiused 2-3" higher for tires), fenders, etc, etc, as the car needs everything. I believe I will have 6 figures in restoration costs when done. Still a bargain, but not as much as it appears after it is done.

Kevin,

Being somewhat naive on Motion cars (I'm researching a couple of cars now however..), how critical is the fact that the original Motion installed drivetrain is gone? Are crate engines what you look for when trying to find a correct engine? Would the engine have carried a LS6 engine suffix or a "CE" suffix? Do you then have to find correctly dated transmission/rear or were these itmes also replaced by Motion? Can you list some of the features you look for when documenting one of these cars? What is your opinion on the value of the Motion cars, especially in light of the fact they were really engine conversions and speed shop stuff, as opposed to a COPO order? Any thoughts on the number of '68 Motion cars..both Camaro and Corvette?

Thanks,

Gregory

[Fhakya]

Congrats on another acquisition Kevin. Look anything like this one? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[SuperCars]

No, that's not it. Here is the picture of mine as found, and it is ugly! Mine did not have a Vinyl top. The quarters on mine are radiused only 2-3" higher by my measuring it. The Nova in the picture at Motion looks like it has much larger radius quarters, is a very cool looking car though. The hood sitting on top of my car in the picture is a non-SS hood from a different car.

[SuperCars]

Here is the engine compartment. The car had been out of use for 20+ years by my estimation. Note the welded tow bar brackets, the motor hold-down chain on the sub-frame, the fender well torched out for header tube.

[SuperCars]

Picture of the console. It had various things like rev-limiter, electronic ignition, much electric wire cut up that I couldn't make heads or talls of. It had a Mallory coil on the firewall, and holes drilled everywhere for equipment. Had a double fuel pump in trunk through hole punched in trunk,hoses where cut off, but still had aftermarket hoses and clamps at gas tank. Had Vintage correct traction bars, etc, etc.....

[TDW]

Kevin...Mallory coil? If you need one, I have an old Magspark that you can have,free.

[Bill Pritchard]

Was that llama there as a guard animal for the car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

Who's Doing the Restoration on this Nova?

[DarrenX33]

Kevin- Thanks for he pictures. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[MosportGreen66]

How on earth did you ever suspect THAT nova to be a true Motion. You have some set of eyes!

-Dan

[55chevy]

are there any pictures of this car in its former glory??

[GMH454]

Kevin if the Alpacha was not thrown in with the deal you paid TOO MUCH.
Only partially joking, for $9,500 the seller did okay.I can see what you mean by a six figure resto...ouch.
Great to see another car saved.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Chris396]

Cool. Did it have a wild color scheme?

I can hear the sound of the seller @@@@@@@@. I know I would if I sold it for that much.

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry Chris even though I know the statement was in good fun, I cant really see it being posted.

[/ QUOTE ]

[NovaMob03]

The information that I recieved on this Nova was that it did come out of N.Y. but was not sold by Baldwin Chev. What exactly does Joel's work order say?
-Not trying to discredit the car at all... just curious

[SuperCars]

You are referencing the NICB that came back showing it was shipped to A Chevrolet Dealership about 20 miles from Baldwin Chevrolet. NICB shows where the car was shipped to but not where it was sold from. Dealer trades are common, especially that close by. The Motion Work order states Baldwin Auto Co.

Coincidently, last month I bought a new rig for my wife. It was a dealer close to where we live. They didn't have her specific color with options, so they brought one in from a dealer about 25 miles away. The sales invoice says nothing but the dealer it was sold at.

[Mr70]

Kevin
I don't mean to pry,but who will do the Restoration on this BM Nova?
I am curious as it is such a Monumental task.I would think when done the Before & After pictures alone would speak for themselves on this particular car..
Do you have one main Person do all of your Restorations?

[JoeG]

Supercars,
I sent you an e-mail, but I'm still on my buddy's computer and don't know if it got thru--no big deal --just wanted to know if this is the same Nova from the previous gr8grl7 thread from last year.Anyway Congradulations for saving some musclecar history,after seeing the condition of the car the sellers didn't do so bad, since it will need a restoration that only a serious collector could afford to put it back to its former glory.What color was it?--JoeG http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[EZ Nova]

Does anyone know what ever happened to this car? With the thread about Zl1 corvettes and knowing at one time, or maybe still, Kevin owned the white Zl1 Vette. So I was on his site and I didn't see this car as "owned" or "previous collection cars"? He does list a 1969 Baldwin Nova Phase III. But it's not a side-pipe 1970 as stated in the first post.

[Rsconv68]

An interesting read for sure. But having the BM conversion goodies is where the appeal is at least for me. Without them-drivetrain and such, it’s just another build what you want. On a side note, when I was at the ICC Nationals back in 88 or 9 era, Joel gave a seminar about Motion. It was very cool to a young one like me who didn’t know what they were.