WILMASBOYL78 (Tom Williams) Dynamite 1970 L78 Nova

**Xplantdad** · #1 05-15-2006, 04:19 AM

1970 NOVA SS 396

Owned by Tom Williams & Karen Feldman
Hudson, New York

My first hotrod car way back in 1974 was an L78 Nova. It was a Forest Green 1970 bench seat car with power steering and the plain steel wheels. I had no idea at the time what I had!! That car was sold in 1980 and totaled by the new owner in less than 2 weeks. Fast forward 20 years and I began the search for an original L78 Nova to have some fun with. At that point in time Novas weren’t really on the radar screen with collectors, being over shadowed by the Camaros and Chevelles. I finally located this car at Mid-West Car Exchange in Alsip, Illinois. It was offered for sale by the original owner’s son Dave Santowski. Dave’s father Leonard had purchased the car new in December, 1969 from Shaver Chevrolet in Homewood, Illinois.

The car was really well equipped with a number of special options including the L78 396/375hp engine, an M-21 close ratio transmission, posi-traction rear axle, deluxe interior and exterior trim packages, 5 spoke SS wheels and even a block heater!! The car was raced for some time in the early days and then retired to weekend cruise status. This vehicle is a true time capsule and has only 22,678 original miles. The paperwork and original documents are equally impressive. We have both colored broadcast build sheets, the warranty book and protect-o-plate, a copy of the original title, window sticker and 2 of the smaller build-sheets found in the seats.

All of the drive line components are numbers matching and original to the car. The interior is beautiful and shows very little wear for 35 years of service. We have just installed a Gardner exhaust system and OEM style wide oval white line tires to complete the look. Next project will be re-installing the original A.I.R. smog system. The car was shown last summer at the GM Originals display in Carlisle, PA. Survivor big block cars are a rare breed and this black beauty was a big hit at the show.

The car is driven and “exercised” when weather permits and never fails to turn heads when we cruise the local highways. Karen and I enjoy owning this piece of automotive history and also sharing it with others who appreciate it like we do. It will make its next appearance at the Nova Nationals in Hunt Valley, Maryland, this summer.

We owe a special thanks to Wayne Bushey, and the great folks at National Nostalgic Nova for all their help and support.

Vehicle Information

VIN 11427WXXXXXX

Cowl Tag
ST 70 1427WRN152709 BDY
TR 732 19 19 PNT
12C A2

Optional Equipment

Soft-Ray Tinted Glass
Positraction Rear Axle
Engine Block Heater
375-HP Turbo-Jet 396 V8
M-21 Close Ratio Transmission
Sport Wheels
Electric Clock
AM Pushbutton Radio
Rear Seat Speaker
Custom Interior
Exterior Décor Package
Auxillary Lighting
Nova SS Equipment
Black Vinyl Interior
19-19 Tuxedo Black

Engine Stamp…T1125CKO
Rear Axle…..CBT1205G E
Transmission……..P0T01

370454s · #2 05-15-2006, 04:43 AM

Just Beautiful and Stunning. Hopefully my Gobi Beige 70 Nova will look half that good.
Mike

**Tenney** · #3 05-15-2006, 05:08 AM

Cool car. Bet it turns more than heads. Those mini meats out back must not have a prayer.

**kwhizz** · #4 05-15-2006, 06:23 AM

Ken

**Salvatore** · #5 05-15-2006, 06:29 AM

Tommy, You got way too many of these novas laying around.

this one? Please!! You won't miss it.

**MosportGreen66** · #6 05-15-2006, 04:15 PM

Showoff!

love those white lines...

Z-11 396 · #7 05-15-2006, 04:45 PM

<<< TOM >>> WHAT A GREAT LOOKING

CAR.. REALLY FANTASTIC PICTURES, AND INFORMATION... THANKS

FOR SHARING,,,,KASEY ..

**Bill Pritchard** · #8 05-15-2006, 06:20 PM

Beautiful car, Tom

Love the block heater and hour meter

Any more to the story on how the mileage was kept so low for so many years?

**firstgenaddict** · #9 05-15-2006, 07:28 PM

Beautiful just Beautiful... love the original cars...

**Mr70** · #10 05-15-2006, 08:27 PM

I first saw this L-78 Nova in August 1998.
They had just completed the brand new Rt.66 Raceway here in Joliet Il.,and SuperChevy was hosting their very first show there.It was also one of the hottest days on record,with a heat index of 107 on the freshly paved Black asphalt.

We had just registered and were parking early on Friday morning,when we noticed Dave and his Nova.