The Supercar Registry - '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

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'69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

I guess I first started noticing Chevy II’s when I was in high school. I really liked the ‘66-’67 body style. I can still remember a cool ‘67 post Chevy II that I saw back in ‘67 while cruising Hawthorne Blvd. in Inglewood, CA. I knew that I would be a Chevy II owner someday. Uncle Sam intervened in October of ‘67 and I was drafted into the Army, so I would have to wait a couple years.

When I got out in May of ‘69, the Chevy II name was dropped and it was just called a Nova. I still liked the ‘67 Chevy II’s but really wanted to order a new car the way I wanted it. My boss at the time knew a salesman at Harry Mann Chevrolet up in Los Angeles. So I ended up ordering a brand new 1969 Nova SS. He made me a screaming deal, like $3101.15 out the door!! I originally ordered it in a dark brown color with a black vinyl top. Then I saw a Cortez silver one in a showroom a couple weeks later and had to change my mind. I didn’t check too many boxes on the option list, but had to have the small block (kinda sorry I didn’t go for the big block), 4-speed and custom exterior. I even tried to order it with 4:88 gears but the lowest I could get were 3:55’s with Positraction. When the car arrived, a couple months later, it didn’t look quite right. Instead of a custom exterior it had a custom interior. The dealer added all the exterior trim and mouldings with a painted pinstripe on the side.

I can still remember driving this car for the first time. It was the first car I had ever driven with front disc brakes and I about went through the windshield when I made my first stop. I immediately swapped out the stock rims and dog-dish hubcaps for American Torque-Thrusts. I was totally stoked with it for about 3-4 months. It was then that I decided a horsepower upgrade was needed. You see, I was interested in drag racing from my high school days. I even raced my dad’s VW, my ‘52 Chevy and ‘63 Chevy Impala at the drags. My “home” track was Lion’s Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA. I wasn’t real serious about racing, but it was a lot of fun. I just knew that I wanted to go fast.

So my good friend Jim Delight and I did a complete make-over of the “brand new” engine in one weekend (!) at his dad’s garage (Delight’s Garage) in Gardena, CA. Without taking the block out of the car we changed the cam to an Isky 310* hydraulic grind, the heads to ‘67 Corvette fuelie 2.02 double hump heads, the intake manifold to an aluminum Z-28 high-rise (that I bought at a dealers parts department), a new Holley 780cfm 3310 carburetor and Hooker headers, which I had aluminized. And I had to have low gears for the track so I finally got my 4:88’s!! I also changed out the shifter to a Hurst Competition Plus and the clutch to a Schiefer Rev-Loc. The result was pretty dramatic. The proof was the first time we went to the drags with it. After messing around with tire pressure on the 8” M&H slicks, it went 12.91 @ 109 mph. I would race the car every couple months at Lion’s, but only on Sundays, as that was the day for class racing and ET brackets. I always won my class, which was F2 F/S. It was an AHRA track at the time and I ran up against everything from a Falcon Ranchero, to big Mopars, to big block Chevelles. But when it came time for ET brackets, forget about it. I wasn’t really that consistent with the 4-speed and would usually red-light or break-out. The fastest the car ever went was on the last Wednesday night that Lion’s was open back in 1972. They were allowing co-drivers back then if they had a seat belt. So with my wife riding “shot-gun”, we clicked off a 12.51 @ 110. Must have been the night air because it was usually a high 12-second car.

After about a year or so I got the itch to go faster. Doesn’t everybody?? I installed a bigger Isky solid lifter grind, and swapped out the intake to the, then brand new, Edelbrock Tarantula single-plane manifold. It felt faster on the street but I couldn’t put all the added horsepower to the track and never could better my times. I raced the car a couple times at Orange County Raceway before that track closed down too.

I never considered selling the car because I still liked it a lot. It has always been garaged, which I think has preserved the original paint all these years. It was my daily driver for about 3-4 years and then became pampered when I would be able to car-pool to work or had a company vehicle to drive.

I went though a couple different configurations on the engine. I detuned it with a Chevy 350/350 hydraulic cam but kept everything else the same. I did a crinkle black treatment of the entire engine, at one time, and tried the polished intake/chromed valve covers and air cleaner deal later. Around this time my son Jeff was born. It was April of 1980. I even brought him home from the hospital in the Nova. The car was then kinda neglected and sat around most of the time just waiting for the next “big thing”!

The next “big thing” didn’t happen until 1997. I then decided to return the engine to visually stock or close to that. I got another “big” Isky hydraulic cam, Rhodes lifters, Comp Cams Magnum roller rockers (to fit under the stock valve covers), an Edelbrock Performer RPM for the Quadrajet, and a built QJ from Sean Murphy Induction. I even reinstalled the original smog pump and added smog tubes to the Hooker headers (the same one’s from 1969!!) for that stock look. I then painted everything back to Chevy orange and that’s the way it is to this day. I also removed the American mags and went back to the dog-dish hubcaps which I had stored all these years wrapped up in newspaper. I had some custom 15x7 rear wheels made by Stockton Wheel so I could fit 275-60-15 BFG T/A’s on the rear. My son, who was 17 now, helped me a lot. One of those “bonding” projects for sure!!

I really wanted to run the car at Pomona Raceway, before they discontinued the Street Legal program, just to say I raced Pomona. We went there on September 10, 2000, the last day for Street Legal stuff! I couldn’t get the Quadrajet to run properly and ended up running a 13.69 @ 104 mph on some old BFG Drag radials. Kinda disappointing I thought.

So I had Sean build me a Holley 750 double-pumper this time. That did the trick and we were back at the track in August of 2003. The track this time was California Speedway in Fontana, CA. It was in the heat of the summer so the air wasn’t like back in the day at Lion’s!! With some old slicks, a little tuning and some hairy starting line RPM’s (6500 at one time), I finally made it back into the 12’s with a 12.93 @ 105.69 mph. I guess the “old girl” still has something left!

I still have fun driving the car on the street and try to cruise it whenever I can. I stay away from the “full-blown” car shows, because this Nova is not really a show car. It’s just a clean “survivor” from back in the day. That it still has it’s original paint, original interior, original spare tire (which has never been used) and is still a “number’s matching car, is amazing to me. And it can still surprise a few people, especially with the 4:88’s!! I’m really glad I didn’t “letter” the car for the drags like I wanted to or install a sunroof when they were popular, and I’m super glad I didn’t add Z-28 stripes with lace inserts when lace was all the rage!!

I would really like to thank all the people who have helped me with this car over the years. To the best of my memory, which is fading fast, they are as follows:

Jim Delight - very first engine build in ‘69 and “pit crew” everytime I raced!
Bill Fields - used his garage for the second engine build and moral support.
Dave Orlaska - fellow club member (Chevies Inc.) and Chevy parts dude.
Jeff Camuglia (my son) - wrenching on the “last build-up.”
Bob McKray (Bob McKray Performance) - awesome head work and misc. parts.
Scott Howlind, Dan Miller, Jeff Laurence, Tom Ziem, Tom Chase - extra “hand” when needed.
And last, but not least, my wife Pam who has put up with this “other woman” for almost 38 years!!
If I’ve left anyone out I apologize. I appreciate all the support and encouragement that I’ve received over the years!!

Day one-On the lot at Harry Mann Chevrolet!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../tn_1mann1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../tn_2mann2.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ann3engine.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../tn_4mann4.jpg

At home

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ova2house3.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...6nova2home.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...7novahome2.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...erior2home.jpg

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

And Last but not least...Some vintage racing video for your viewing pleasure (no sound-Click picture to play the video)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ovavsMopar.jpg

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

I have seen this car a bunch of times and it just does not get any better than this. Thanks Joe for keeping the car in this condition and thanks Bruce for all the work posting these pictures. This is why I enjoy this site so much. I have been saying for years that it would be a very fast car to beat a small block Nova that is dialed in properly.
Mark Sheppard

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Great story great car!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

AWESOME STORY AND PICS.. THANKS FOR SHARING.. KP https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
Very neat story on your car, what a great "Members Ride".
Thanks.

Mike https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Great story! Love the photos - the vintage are great!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Great pics and story....How cool to walk around the Harry Mann lot back then.

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Awesome story and photos. Nothing better then the day 1 photos on the lot and the original engine compartment photos. This car must have been only days old when they were taken based only on the appearence of the exhaust manifolds. Very cool!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

What a terrific story Joe and your car is fantastic. Love the vintage photos and the film is priceless! Thanks for letting us in on your special car's history.

WOW! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Great story and it is great to see those day one photos, thanks for sharing. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

thanks for taking the times to post all the pictures and write -up.Love the pictures of the nova at Lions dragstrip.thanks for sharing.Yenko.net a great website with great people involved.chris Teed

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

I try not to post more than once in this section but I am excited for some reason. I had to see these pictures once again and read the great write up. I would be like a kid at a candy store on the car lot when Joe picked up the Nova. Can you imagine seeing Camaros, Novas and El Caminos brand new in the same lot just waiting to be sold and picked up. I can not thank you enough for the great pictures and history.
Mark Sheppard

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Very nice original paint car,Joe.We owned a restaurant on Crenshaw Blvd (Dino's pizza 1960-1975) couple miles from H.Mann.I have the grandsons '68 Camaro,original paint too.I might have an extra plate frame.
Jim Yocono

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

I love the picture of it sitting on the lot? Wish I could go back in time and see that. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...-I-Have-It.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

For me Joe and his members rides post really hits home and makes me think and wonder. Taking a picture under the hood while the car is still on the lot! are you kidding me? that itself is amazing and as Rick said look at those exhaust manifolds. After seeing this Nova at Cars and Coffee a few weeks back (Thanks Bruce) and hearing it run from behind I knew it was a special car indeed.

I think it's unusual for us to be able to see and hear the metamorphous of this Nova and it's owner from day 1. All the pictures starting at Harry Mann Chevrolet and then with the now extinct temporary paper plate parked in from of the house, wheel change, the motor work, Starting line shots and timing slips from tracks that don't exist any more and on top of that a son that's grown up with the car. That there is some good stuff. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Joe, Thank you for taking the time to post your story. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Bruce, Thanks for posting the pictures for us. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...BruceRocks.gif

Hey Joe! are you going to the El Segundo Car Show on August 23rd?

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Great story and photos. Really like the original day one photos. Interesting to see how much paint was on the exhaust manifolds when new.

Phil Woj.

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Joe, awesome story and history.. I think it's cool that this car is a small block SS car... The big blocks are so popular now it seems that's all you see.. Unique to see a small block SS car and one as beautiful as yours..

Love the racing video also.. The boy was very excited when you won the trophy, I assumed that was your son...

Rich https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Very cool car and story... the pics are super too!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Couldn't agree with Hammer more! We all thrive on knowing the history of our cars, but you didn't have to search for it; you lived it! Doesn't get any better than that!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Absolutely amazing! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif I'm in awe of the foresight Joe had to 'record' the car for all of us to enjoy almost 40 years later.

Joe, we gotta meet face-to-face someday so I can shake your hand and Thank You in person. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

First of all let me say that https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif And I'm not just saying that because you like my car! I'm saying that because you've help me to realize what I've done by keeping my car all these years, without messing it up too bad. Like I said in the write-up, there just wasn't any reason to sell it. And I, for sure, didn't think I was going to actually keep it for 39+ years!! Thanks again for all the positive comments. Oh yeah, did I tell you that https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif
I'll try to answer some of your questions. I don't know how to list multiple quotes, so here it goes -
SS427(Rick) - the car was just off the trailer when I took those pics on the lot of the engine. Don't ask me why I took it. I'm just sorry I didn't take more!
92646(Mark) - Being excited when I picked up the car is a major understatement!! I wish I had a time machine just to relive that experience.
47Hammer(Bart) - Like I said, it's really starting to sink in. I've always thought of it as just another old car. But when you've had something this long, it's a part of the family and there's a lot of history that goes along with it. I probably won't make it to the El Segundo show (it's mainly a "gear" thing), but I am trying to get some interest in doing a PCH-South cruise on August 9th.
Mr.Chevy (Rich) - The boy in the video was a neighbor of my friend who went with us that day. My son wasn't born until about 8 or 9 years later!!
ORIGLS6(Dennis) - I don't know if it was foresight to 'record' the car but I would love to meet you someday too!!

And last, but not least, I want to thank Bruce for making this whole thing possible. If he hadn't seen my car a couple weeks ago, it would still be just an old Nova, sitting in my garage!! By the way did I tell you
that https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif And I really mean it!!
Later dudes,
Joe

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Very cool. One of my favorite colors on a nova.Good job keeping it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

One more thing - I've been checking out the other Member's Rides and want to say that you guys all "have it going on"!! At first I was just looking at all the Novas and then I started looking at '66 Chevelles ('cause that's what my son owns) and then the Camaros and full size muscle stuff and on and on!! It's just too much! And everyone of you guys has your own story to tell. That is sooooo cool. I love it.
Joe

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Joe welcome aboard! I needed more blood pressure medicine when I visited the site tonite and read your story and saw your pictures. What a story and even better at Lions drag strip! I just love the way California and some good people have preserved their cars all these years. The fact that you are an original owner and have keep this car original is amazing. The photos are a statement in themselves that you DO have oil for blood! What a man!!! This site does bring out the very best in our hobby! Keep hanging out here and keep the old day-2 drag racing stories and pictures coming! The novas are coming on strong. Who says you need a BB to have fun and go fast? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Sam https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS Nova

Hi Joe,
I've known you for a number of years and you and your car never stop intriguing me. Just knowing you bought that car new, raced it and still own it amazes me. Everytime I see your car I just stare at it and think of all of the cars I've owned and that none of them could mean as much to me as your car does to you. Welcome to the SYC and just remember who is one of your biggest fans.
Bruce, thanks for helping to put this together for all to enjoy.
Dave L.
SoCal

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Cool car. Can see why you never bailed. Thanks for sharing the pics and story - gets no better.

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Joe,

I am just the facilitator for your wonderful story and totally cool Nova. Like I told you when I met you a few weeks ago...your Nova is what MY Nova always wanted to be...but never could! The image of it sitting there at the Street machine nationals is forever etched in my mind. Sitting there with the tow tabs on it...made it just "right".

So I have to say two things to you:

1) Don't be a stranger around here...I think that you'll enjoy the many friendships that you will make here...I know that I have!

2) Put the tow tabs back on! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Finally...thanks to Dave Lindsley for inviting Bart, Mark and my brother and his sone to come out and spend the morning with him at the "Cars and Coffee" Cruise. Without Dave asking...I would never have seen your Nova...

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Hey did anyone else notice that those SB exhaust manifolds have overspray all over them? Was the engine assembled in Tonowonda (T) or Flint (V)?

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

[ QUOTE ]
This car must have been only days old when they were taken based only on the appearence of the exhaust manifolds. Very cool!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure did. My guess is Tonawanda as I believe Flint painted their engines without exhaust manifolds whereas Tonawanda painted them on the engine from what I understand as far as small blocks go. Cool stuff!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

[ QUOTE ]
Hey did anyone else notice that those SB exhaust manifolds have overspray all over them? Was the engine assembled in Tonowonda (T) or Flint (V)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good eye, I was just going to say that... very cool indeed. I think this is a debating over and over again, nice original evidence!

Awesome story, photos, preservation, and enjoyment! Congrats!

Re: '69Novajoe (Joe Camuglia's) Original Owner SS

Great Story, Great Car....One ? How come you left off the Red Line Tires?