302 Nova or Chevelle

**copo-2** · #1 04-08-2004, 08:07 PM

This may have been discussed before, but in one of the Nickey catalog's I ordered in 69, They list the 302 Nova and Chevelle. This is mixed in with the 427 options. Anyone ever heard or found such a car?

Ray

**Mr70** · #2 04-08-2004, 08:31 PM

Could it Mean 402,as in the overboring they did on the 854 blocks late for the 69 production?

**sixtiesmuscle** · #3 04-08-2004, 08:56 PM

Nope, they really did offer 302 DZ conversions in those cars. Think of how they would do in the cubic inch to weight classes of the day. The closest I personally have found are a '69 Z28 [owned by Ron Normann], and, my 70 1/2 Z28, both sold at Nickey, and, with paperwork showing the performance modifications performed by Nickey. Actually, the car that Don Swiatek, who ran the hi po shop, chose for his own race car, was a Z28. Because of that, Nickey put a lot of work into getting the 302 to perform. Kind of odd when all we usually think of is built up 427 cars.

DarrenX33 · #4 04-08-2004, 09:18 PM

Hey Mike has the 70.5 Z been restored yet?

**copo-2** · #5 04-08-2004, 11:29 PM

Mike,

Thanks for chiming in. Didn't know if this subject had ever been discussed or not? What I find of interest is the fact these cars were advertised as "Exclusive Nickey Nova S/S Coupe's and Exclusive Nickey Chevelle's with 302-290 hp engines." They mention several options with the Malibu Styling and Accents, for the Chevelle. The basic SS package for the Nova with E-70 X 14 red stripe wide oval tires on 14 X 7 rims. The Chevelle's tires were F-70 X 14 wide oval special blackwalls with white letters. Six different rear axle ratios were available with advertising of mid-4's being the most popular. They were 4 speeds with close ratio tranny and had hevay duty 10" Dual Disc clutch. They were equipped with a tempature controlled fan, also. It does not mention anything about being dealer installed, but imagine this would be the case?

Ray

**sixtiesmuscle** · #6 04-08-2004, 11:56 PM

It should be finished in a month & ready for cruising.

**sixtiesmuscle** · #7 04-08-2004, 11:59 PM

Glad to see you here Ray! I suppose they referred to these cars as "exclusive" because they did the transplants, and, those engines were not available from the factory.

hvychev · #8 04-09-2004, 05:09 AM

Mike did the car retain it's original color?

JoeC · #9 04-09-2004, 05:46 AM

Nickey replaced some 302 Camaro engines with 427s so maybe they used the removed Z/28 engine to build the 302 Nova/Chevelle

**Salvatore** · #10 05-01-2004, 01:08 AM

Has anyone ever seen or heard of a 302 NICKEY nova? I see them in the catalogs, but did they ever materialize? Sam