....... “Deuce Heaven”, to be more specific. It’s that little town in Iowa where there are more Yenko Deuce Novas per capita. What a great place with some terrific people!
For those that don’t know, my Nova has been away for a while getting what qualifies as an extreme automotive makeover. Not the Pimp-My-Ride or Trick-My-Truck type, but a good ol’ restoration with the end result being that I finally have the Nova of my dreams. Well, at least one of those Novas anyway.
Being that I’ve been a fan of Novas for many years, owned a few over the last 18 of those years, and parted out many others (mostly to get parts for my car and definitely to help fund the restoration), I could easily come up with a list of different Nova variations of model years and options that I’d like to have. Topping that wish list is one of those elusive original 1970 Yenko Deuces that haven’t found a way into my budget or garage yet.
Anyway, back to the Nova that I do have. About 13 years ago, I found a ’70 Nova SS 396 (L34 396/350hp, 4-speed, buckets, console, gauges, 3.31 gears, and more) shortly after moving to Iowa in 1993. After a year of being in steady contact with the third owner, he finally offered it up for sale to me. I’ve had it ever since.
My Nova has always been lots of fun and a great driver all these years, but in my opinion, it qualified as a 10/10 car - meaning at 10 feet away or at 10 mph, it didn’t look too terribly offensive. However, looking at it up close showed that it must have seen some rough times in the past and it never got the bodywork and attention it really needed.
My long-time dream has been to have it “done right” and done my way, and that has finally happened! Mr. Ken Schoenthaler and his fine team (Becky, Joe, Kevin, Mitch) at the newly official Schoenthaler Restorations, Inc. in Donahue, Iowa took on my crusty old car as a project last year and finished it up this past weekend – just in time for the 2007 Nova Nationals being held only 30 minutes from where I live in southeastern Indiana!
Many of you on this board all ready know that Ken and Becky are wonderful folks, but I feel the need to say it again. You couldn’t ask for a nicer couple that is lots of fun to talk to and be around. In addition to numerous discussions on the phone over the past few months (thanks for your patience with my endless questions, Ken & Joe), I got the opportunity to simply sit and chat with them at dinner last weekend before heading back to Indiana with my car the next morning. I can only hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.
The Nova turned out beautifully, and I’m very happy with the results. Below are a few pictures of my “new” Nova. If interested, I can take a few more and submit some more details and history for the Member’s Rides section if anyone would care to read it and see them.
