Tom Williams' Marine Corp L78 Nova

[Belair62]

“The Marine Corps Nova’’

My story with this car started in January of this year, almost 33 years from that of it’s first owner. I found the car on the Collector Car Trader website. After several conversations with the owner and much research, I decided to buy the car, subject to a personal inspection.
Wayne and I flew out in early February and met Barry Bowman who was then the current owner. With Barry’s help Wayne and I spent several hours going over the car from top to bottom. What we found was a solid L78 car that was a perfect candidate for restoration. We left without making the deal but after thinking it over, I pulled the trigger and bought it the next day.
I then began researching the chain of ownership of the car. It was difficult at first, but the thanks to the internet the original owner was finally located.
This Chevy Nova was ordered new in the winter of 1969-70 by John “Jack’’ Kanter, a Brooklyn, New York native whose family lived in Massapequa, Long Island. Since Jack was serving in the USMC in Vietnam at the time, his father made the purchase arrangements for him. The vehicle was sold and delivered by Dial Chevrolet in Westbury, NY. The original selling price of the car was approximately $3650.00
Jack drove the car back and forth to school and work for several years. He made some of the usual modifications like adding a set of Cragar SS wheels. Jack “enjoyed’’ the car a little too much one day in the summer of 1973 and the engine was history. Hustedt Chevrolet in Center Reach, NY came to the rescue and installed a “CE’’ replacement short block and got the L78 back on the road.
Jack eventually settled in Williamsburg, KY where he married and opened his own small business, L&J Market. After many years, the car finally was sold to his brother-in-law, Ray Croley, also of Williamsburg. In May of 2001 Barry Bowman of Lawrenceburg, Indiana became the third owner of the car. I purchased the car in February 2003 and had it shipped to Wayne’s shop in York, PA.
The restoration process was a great education for me and one that I truly enjoyed. You really learn a lot when a vehicle is taken completely apart and then put back together like new. I have personally gained a great appreciation and respect for the process and what it takes “to do it right.’’
I have named this car the “Marine Corps Nova’’ in recognition if it’s first owner who served his country in Vietnam so many years ago. There are probably a lot of guys like “Jack’’ who now defend our freedom in the Middle East. I hope that they all come home safely to their families and maybe to that special car that sits waiting in the garage.
This beautifully restored car represents a link to our “muscle car’’ past and to the special people who are part of it. Many thanks to Wayne and his family for helping preserve a piece of American automotive history.

Thomas Williams






VEHICLE DATA SHEET

1970 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport
L78 Engine 402/375 HP
M-21 Muncie 4 speed transmission
3:55 12 bolt posi-traction differential
Deluxe black bucket seat interior
Fathom Blue exterior paint – Black vinyl roof
In dash tachometer – console with gauges
Rallye wheels with white line E70x14 tires
AM push button radio


COWL TAG
ST 70 11427WRN 222 722 BDY
TR 733 28 B PNT
02D A1 0473
Vehicle assembled 4th week of February 1970

COMPONENT ID NUMBER
Intake manifold 3963569
Exhaust manifold 3816178 (RH) and 3909879 (LH)
Water pump 3969811
Cylinder Head 3963291 Hi-perf
Feb. 8, 1970 casting date
Alternator 1100837A 9F17 12VNEG
Rear Axle 3969341 - CBT0223G
Transmission 3925661 main case, 3857584 ext. housing, 3952648 side cover
POB13 Muncie – 1970 Feb. 13 Vin# on tranny
Engine Block CE360285 Warranty replacement by Chevrolet
Casting # 3999290 4 Bolt Main Hi-Perf E2572 – Feb/ 25. 1972
*Carburetor 3986195 – GM Service replacement for L78
*Distributor 1111257 – Not original

*The original carb & distributor were replaced by the owner sometime in the late 1970s


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[Mr70]

An outstanding L78 Nova Tom. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Marlin has a fitting License plate for this Car.
Is that a red Deuce running away in the Background? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[GTO_DON]

Great seeing the car again Tom. But what is with the 4 speed monte carlo sticker?? Is this a new arrival??

[camarojoe]

Don, i was just going to ask the same thing... Here's a little trinket to go along with the Monte sticker... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DaveC68]

Thats my car's shipper paper... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
or a not-so succesful rebody http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
How much for the trinket?

[camarojoe]

sent you a PM.

[Belair62]

You guys don't miss a beat....sorry Dave AND Tom http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Seattle Sam]

Pretty Nova - what color is that?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Fathom Blue is the color. The red Nova lurking in the background is another L78 car. #'s matching Cranberry red, 4spd from Canada. But that's a story for another day.......

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Belair62]

Doesn't get much better than Fathom Blue...do you guys see squiggly stuff in 2 pics ??

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bob, thanks for including us in the Member's Rides section. Just want to mention that my better half, Karen, is entitled to equal billing on this car and all the others. She is truly a "Nova Widow" and is very much a fan of all the great cars that are represented on this site.

Thanks again, Tom. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

We could have guessed that Tom...great to have an understanding better half ! How often do you take this one out ? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
We could have guessed that Tom...great to have an understanding better half ! How often do you take this one out ? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

The Nova or the wife? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JoeG]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif-----------------------The car is real clean and with the whitewalls it's a "sleeper"----

[WILMASBOYL78]

Karen gets out more than the car does! Really don't take the frame off cars out on the road very often. Just too nervous about what might happen. But, every once in a while, on a nice dry and sunny day............ http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[mike s]

very nice nova and even better name http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

Tom,

Great looking Nova! Nova SS cars were the first muscle cars that I fell in love with http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Since I wasn't able to afford a real one when I was a kid, I took an inline 6 plain jane Nova..dropped in a 402 BB out of a 71 Chevy Cheyenne and a 3:73 12 bolt posi out of a 69 Z/28...and went and had some fun at OCIR in Southern California...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/timeslip.jpg

It was fun, and kept me out of trouble.

One of these days I'll hopefully get another Nova..this time the "real McCoy"!

Congrats on some cool cars!

[427TJ]

An L78 in Fathom Blue with black top and whitewalls! Very, very http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

A little more info on the Marine Corp car: This car was at the Nova Nationals this past summer in Atlanta and earned a Gold class certificate, Best in Class and Best in Show. We decorated the car with Marine corp memorabilia and photos of the original owner. Karen and I are very grateful to Wayne Bushey and staff at National Nostalgic Nova and our friend Tony "the greek", for helping us with this project. We are planning on installing the original steel wheels and dog dish caps this spring. May bring this car to the York Show in July. Many thanks for all the kind words from this site we appreciate it.

Tom & Karen http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

Dig those white-lines... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[MosportGreen66]

Tom.. one classy Nova! Very very http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
This summer we'll have to arrange to see the cars!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

white walls http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr70]

White stripe.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

white strap.

[WILMASBOYL78]

"White Strap"...????

wilma

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

as in MR70
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

That's funny & topical! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

thought you'd like that one!

[John]

...I saw that car at York.....great detail
...Tom, You really know your stuff on Nova's
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mayhem]

Does anyone sell that particular console and gauges? I am looking for something exactly like that, but have only seen similar ones in Camaros.

[1970Bluel78]

Looks exatly like the Nova I bought in 73 from a guy from Brooklyn. The only difference I can see are the Wheels and the guages by the shifter

[WILMASBOYL78]

I guess it is fitting that this car pops up on Veteran's Day...we added the steel wheels a few years back. Here is a link to the current photo album.

wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

http://chevynova.org/twbluel78/Index1.html

[ORIGLS6]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[LEADED]

tom i was reading your comments on 70 nova rear f41 sway bars on a 70 nova. did all 70 nova l78 have them? If not were the welded brackets still installed in the trunk pan FROM THE FACTORY but not used? I have a 70 l78 with the original block and vin that matches it. the trunk was replaced with out brackets so i dont know if it had the f41 rear sway package. I dont want to buy the car if I CANT RESTORE IT CORRECTLY. So were the brackets installed in all l78 nova trunks weather or not the rear sway bar package was installed? thanks bob 708- 990- 4069

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bob...the F41 suspension rear swaybar was not available early in the model year. It made its debut sometime in the spring of 1970......as for the welded brackets, they were only installed if this option was chosen. Also, this option was not an &quot;L78 only item&quot;...it could be ordered on small block SS models as well.

So, what is the build date of your car?...if it is an early car then don't worry. Here is a link to the Nova Resource site it gives a little more info:

http://www.novaresource.org/rpo_F41.htm


wilma

[JRSully]

The brackets were only installed IF the F41 bar was ordered and the car had to be built after Jan 70, when the option became available. SULLY

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Jan '70 is correct, that is when a lot of changes were implemented on the '70 Novas. If you think this car for sale could have been an F41 car, check the diameter of the front sway bar - F41 Novas had a 13/16&quot; front bar....

[1968BM]

Nice nova. SEMPER FI

[Stefano]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-295-14431-full_295_14135_img_7653.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/07/full-295-14432-full_295_14136_img_7655.jpg
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Look what showed up to the Nickey sponsored Saint Charles cruise night!

[WILMASBOYL78]

Steve...thanks for posting these photos <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
Dan is really enjoying the car and is signed up to bring it to Chicago in November. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

Wilma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif