Speaking of fast Novas on Ebay....

**tom406** · #1 10-17-2003, 07:17 AM

All this talk of fun Novas on ebay reminded me of this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...;category=6172

This is a very fun little car that I had the pleasure of owning 5 or 6 years ago. Jim Hughes (NWYenko) had it built for himself around 1990. It was a little old lady car that Jim had rebuilt with a blow-thru turbo system on a 350, backed by a column shifted TH350, feeding a 12 bolt hanging on the original monoleafs. With racing gas, boost dialed up to 20 lbs and the shifter in drive, Jim ripped off an 11.89 at 119 (or something thereabouts, he can chime in and correct me)by putting in "Drive" and hitting the go pedal. His current Deuce is prettier, and has a more romantic story, but no way can it be the E-ticket ride this car was. The top end pull on this car was(is?) unreal. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/

[/img]

The rings were getting tired when I sold it. Looks like it finally got the rebuild it needed. If anyone chases it, ask about the paint. I saw it a couple of years ago with a slightly mangled right front fender-you'll want to see if they blended it in OK. It is a super solid car, but it did have a complete repaint, as I recall.

The price bid, sadly enough, is right where Jim and then I later peddled it, which would appear to be its CORRECT MARKET VALUE, receipts be damned.

NWYENKO · #2 10-17-2003, 02:58 PM

Wow, talk about bring back memories!! I had a lot of fun with this car, drove it to Reno twice, put 25k miles on it. Actually ran 11.97 @ 119.50 on fuel with 15lbs boost with McCrearys. Gears were 3.40's not 4.10's. Shifted at 5200 RPM. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/

[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]Doesn't seem like it was 13 years ago! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif[/img]Jim

budnate · #3 10-17-2003, 02:58 PM

I recieved a call from a friend a few weeks ago on this car, we dont talk much due to work kids and such, but he said the motor is fresh and runs great, I passed on it, but I also recall this car, nice clean ride and for the money is a steal, he was over in Eastern WA and was wanting to get back on this side of the mountains. If he is still the owner he is good guy and does first class work.

Bud.

JoeC · #4 10-17-2003, 03:06 PM

the turbo is interesting. Chevy engineering had some turbo Novas that were running prototypes and were shown in magazine articles around 1972

**Charley Lillard** · #5 10-18-2003, 02:18 AM

I think it might be one of those Nick Harrold Cars that have been missing forever....

55chevy · #6 10-18-2003, 02:27 AM

Wow,that's pretty cool. I saw that auction when it had 2 days left and thought now THIS car is the definition of the word "sleeper". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

Belair62 · #7 10-18-2003, 03:57 AM

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img]

**tom406** · #8 10-18-2003, 03:30 PM

It IS the definition of sleeper-turbo cars can't use cams with much overlap (so there's no lope) and they're pretty quiet, even when under power. The only down side is that the turbo whine sounds just like a siren starting off in the distance, which gets the old heart going since if the turbo is whining, you've just gotten on the throttle and are probably exceeding the posted limit of wherever you are [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

NWYENKO · #9 10-20-2003, 11:59 PM

The license on the car was SURPRIZ. The only thing that gave the car away was the lap belt, Shiftlight tach, frame connectors and fuel line. The first time to the drags I pulled in the heavy bracket lane and was told I should probably move to the street lanes. I said I would make 1 pass and move if it was not quick enough. Ran a 12.65 and when I pulled back in the pits there was a number of guys trying to see what was under the hood. 60' times stunk but made it up at the top end. Many times the other lane would think they had me covered and I would drive by at the end Great fun! Best time was 11.97 @ 119.5. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/

[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]Jim

Chevy454 · #10 10-28-2003, 03:28 AM

So where is this car currently? I'd rather not get SURPRIZ'd sometime at the track! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.