The Supercar Registry - Tom Williams' Marine Corp L78 Nova

“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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