Steve Ford's 73 Chevy Nova Hatchback

[Nova Jed]

No punn intended with this post, but I just wanted to share another Nova with all of the guru's out there. sc69sam asked me to take a look at this car for a friend and here I am documenting the resto! Saving another PA rot box from the crusher. The car was originally Antique white with black bucket interior and a 4spd 350. The trim tag was MIA from the firewall, but I had remnants of the original colors. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Thanks,

Nova Jed

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/345838-hatchback05.JPG

[Nova Jed]

Firewall
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback02.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback03.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback04.jpg

[Nova Jed]

More firewall and replacement wiper hole.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/Silverbullet025.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/Silverbullet026.jpg

[Nova Jed]

I just wanted to show some proof that I am not re-bodying this car. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback33.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback34.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback36.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Some more rot!
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback09.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback14.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback11.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/hatchback08.jpg
If you look closely enough, you can see 35yr old swiss cheese!

[Nova Jed]

Finally, some good sheetmetal.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/Silverbullet028.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/Silverbullet027.jpg

[Nova Jed]

I do have an album of pictures to check out.

Steve Ford's Nova (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/)

I don't want to bore you with the cut and paste pictures. I will post more progress when I get more pictures down loaded. I think this car is gonna prove to me wether or not I am a true body man! LOL Sammy, I hope Steve appreciates it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

[1969l78]

Man those PA cars sure get rusty. Good luck on the resto job. Keep the pictures coming. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Why? (I hope it has some sort of sentimental value!)

[Paul_S]

[ QUOTE ]
Man those PA cars sure get rusty. Good luck on the resto job. Keep the pictures coming. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a true rust-belt project! ...as long as it needs quarters and fender work also. That's why I cringe when an original rust free car is gutted for a full pro-street/race treatment when there are plenty more like this that mother nature already did some of the work for you. -Looking at it as you have to cut most of the same stuff out anyway...

Neat car, good luck on the body work.

[Salvatore]

Looks real good Jedster! Keep the pictures coming. Marlin, you ask WHY....cause those guys Jed is working for are so cheap their butts squeak when they walk! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Also Jed is the right man for these projects! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ORIGLS6]

I can appreciate the work and dedication involved and I applaud the effort to save another one from the crusher. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Gotta love another Nova saved - especially a hatchback, they are pretty cool with that camping tent option. Typical rust for the NE.

[Nova Jed]

Could anyone give me an idea if they ever made SS Hatchbacks? I purposely took pictures of the firewall because I saw what seems to be two S's marked on there.

If I remember correctly from what I have researched, I don't think there were any numbers on SS 73 Hatchbacks. I have found little details that the car did come with a bright trim around the windows and someone "smoothed" them out and I think it was just a Custom Hatchback. There were grinding marks on the sail panels from where the emblems were in the middle of them and the drip moldings were taken off as well.

Again, the trim tag wasn't on the car. Just speculation here. I think that the hardest part of this car is gonna be the 20+hrs that I am gonna spend on getting a donor trunk floor, found one already an hour away, and replacing it. Other then that, I have about 50hrs into it!

[Salvatore]

Keep up the good work Jed-I! You are doing it for the little guy in the hobby. I am sure the outcome will be real nice! Steve will have a nice go fast nova to toy around in when finished. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

They indeed made hatchback SS models.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://novaresource.org/gallery3/73joec1.jpg


oh yeah!! you go Jed http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif


http://novaresource.org/gallery3/73alan2.jpg

[Dog427435]

Nice work Jed - Looking good!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Nova Jed]

[ QUOTE ]
They indeed made hatchback SS models.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok M, where is the info on the numbers??? I know that from 72 on that one of the letters designated wether or not it was an SS, but which one is the Hatchback? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

[Nova Jed]

Hey, thanks guys! I think that I found some new motivation with the picutures. They do kinda look cool when they are all done up. Hmmm I wonder if I can talk him into letting me paint in and put the stripes on it if it is in fact as SS.

[x Baldwin Motion]

1973 total369,509
SS 35,542
hatchback 91,012
2dr 194,197
4dr 84,300

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Jed, I couldn't find the "how many SS's were Hatchback's"
but surely one more couldn't hurt http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Nova Jed]

Thanks Chris. I thought that I couldn't find a number on the SS hatchbacks.

[Nova Jed]

I think that it's time to give this project a new name! I'm calling it the "Patch Back" LOL. What a lot of work! The pictures speak for themsleves. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova019.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova020.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova021.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova022.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova023.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Some more.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova025.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova026.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova031.jpg

[Nova Jed]

. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova024.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova027.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova028.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that it's time to give this project a new name! I'm calling it the "Patch Back" LOL. What a lot of work! The pictures speak for themsleves. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova019.jpg

Jed is that a firewall repair or are smoothing it just cause you have extra time and bondo? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

thanks for posting the updates!

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Well there is one less 1973 Nova SS hatchback in this world as I parted out a factory 350, posi 4 speed car last year that was rusty, but not as rusty as the car being restored above. After seeing this post, I feel bad for parting it out!

[Nova Jed]

Nope Chris! Steve wants it smoothed out. I have found better "patch backs" in salvage yards. It's cutting time! Get the SAWZALL!

[Fast67VelleN2O]

[ QUOTE ]
I have found better "patch backs" in salvage yards!

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL

[Salvatore]

Lookin real good Jedi-I. Keep up the good work and the pictures! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Nova Jed]

Matter of fact, I just cut the back half off of one today to replace the swiss cheese trunk! It hurt so bad to cut up a great body! But one car has a title, and the other is toast. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Capiche?

[Nova Jed]

Thanks Sam! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Nova Jed]

Moving right along with the Nova. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova032.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova034.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/SteveFordsNova036.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Here are a couple of pics over the last two months.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0314.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0315.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0316.jpg

[Nova Jed]

One more.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0317.jpg

[Salvatore]

Moving right along Jed-I! I am sure Mr. Ford will be real happy! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SOA-Nova]

It looks like you have a little more work to do on yours than I did on my 74.
I noticed in the last set of pictures you have not put in the hatchfloor supports. I replaced a little bit less of the hatchfloor in mine and when I was trial fitting the hatch floor I had to section one of the brackets that hold the one floor side panel plates. If you look at some of the pictures in my webshot albums you can see what I had to do.
Looks like you are on your way to getting another hatchback back out on the road. Good luck with your project.

Jim

[Salvatore]

Hey Jed-I, Better reinforce everything real good cause that 600 inch BB is going to twist that old nova like a pretzel. Jerry Ehly told me to tell ya! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Nova Jed]

Hey, Sammy, Steve didn't want to put the hatch floor back in because he wants to put in a cage. I think that should reinforce it a bit!

[Nova Jed]

Firewall Pics.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0331.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0332.jpg

[SOA-Nova]

I had seen on your original post about a resto and didn't know it was going to be raced http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif . I should have picked up on that with the smoothed firewall spots prior to my original reply. Another area he could loose some weight would be to remove the outer cowl sides but it looks like he might be retaining the heater.

Is the build going to have fiberglass parts on it ?. I bought fenders, doors, hood, hatchlid and bumpers from Glasstek years ago for another 73 Nova project of mine and the fit was not bad at all although I started modifying the doors so I could have crank up windows and be able to remove them fairly easily.

Jim

[Nova Jed]

From what I have been told, he wants a street legal car as well. I'm sure everything is going to be all steel.

Jed

[Nova Jed]

OK, time for some more progress pics!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0358.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0354.jpg

[Nova Jed]

And more! http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0369.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0370.jpg

[Nova Jed]

And the last for now.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0372.jpg

[Salvatore]

Real nice Jed-I! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gifTell Jerry Ehley and Steve to tune into the site. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Plowman]

That is nice work,and a lot of care!

[Nova Jed]

I did tell Steve to! And yes lots of TLC. It finally looks like a car again. I'm gonna make sure that Steve gets onto this site. That's going to be part of the final deal. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Nova Jed]

Do not attempt to adjust your screens or think that the picture is uploaded wrong. It's just hanging out to dry! http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0430.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Ok, so it's been almost a year? I know I will be subject to criticism, but I can take the constuctive type via PM.
The underbody isn't swiss cheese anymore!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0427.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Notice anything different about this firewall shot??

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0421.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

Kinda smooth,like my, my, monitor screen. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Xplantdad]

And no more heater! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Nova Jed]

I just happened to go through the VIN with Steve this weekend and we found out that it is a 350 Auto 2brl car. So, it was upsetting to find out that it's not an SS, but Steve is more then pleased with the work that I have done!

Just one major part of the car to finish, the Hatch, and she goes back to Steve. It's hard to believe that it's been a year!

[Nova Jed]

Well, it's been quite a while, but I have space back in the garage again. Not for long though. Here are the last few shots of Steve's car.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0468.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0469.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0477.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0478.jpg

[Nova Jed]

Just a couple more.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0470.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0471.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0479.jpg

[Nova Jed]

And last but not least...

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/NovaJed/100_0480.jpg
(From right to left)
Steve, his nephew, and his car.

Enjoy it Steve! It was truly one long hard year.

[Salvatore]

Looks great Jed. A demanding job with a tight budget and alot of stress! I know Steve is happy. Sam http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif