Sleeper Sunday: Twin Turbo Nova Goes Into The Sevens
Imagine yourself rolling up to the line in your brand new, high-dollar sports car only to look over and see this shoddy-looking Nova sitting next to you. Of course, the thing is hideous and the guy driving it must be nuts, right? Otherwise, why would he even be at the track with that thing? The only problem is that when the tree light turns green, all you see is tail lights because the Crusty Nova is an absolute beast.
Okay, so I’m using the term “sleeper” loosely here, mainly because if you’ve been around the drag scene for at least a few years, you’ve likely heard of this Nova and the 1,100+ horsepower, fire-breathing monster sitting between the front fenders. Last I heard, it was a moderately modified LS motor with two large turbos. Rumors had it that he was looking for more power, though I’m not sure if he ever got it.
As you can see in the video below, the Crusty Nova is fast in the quarter mile. Even better, he drives it to and from the track whenever he goes—so he gets our respect early on, just for that. After all, these cars were meant to be driven… not stored.
Obviously, you can’t go fast on the engine and power adder alone—the entire car needs to work together. The car is (or was, last I checked) equipped with a 4L80E transmission, 3,800 stall converter, 4.30:1 gears in a 9-inch Strange rear, and Wilwood brakes to slow the 3,500 lb beast down.
Again, last I heard, the engine was being upgraded to something even more potent, which might explain the time you’re about to see:
It’s amazing to watch a car with its original paint go 7.88 at 154 mph. Let this be a lesson to never judge a book by its cover—if you ever line up next to an old crusty ’62 Nova at the light, think twice. You never know what it’s capable of.
Let us know what you think about this shoddy-looking (yet somehow sexy) Nova in the comments below. Also, you have liked the RestoMods Facebook page, right? If not, make sure you do so you never miss out!
