Street Legal NASCAR Nova Tribute 406 V8 5-speed Manual Race Chassis A/C

We don't need to sell you on the virtues of a classic Chevy Nova. You already know it's attractive, timeless and universally cool. In fact, one could argue that, since it's a choice offering of the golden era of motor city muscle, it's one of the best classics of all time. That said, falling for an old school Nova is easy. The difficult part is finding a unique, well-built car that'll keep you happy for years to come. Luckily, your friends at RK Motors Charlotte have a real knack for finding standout builds. And this incredible street legal stock car, wrapping 406 cubic inches of brutal Chevy small block in top-notch customization and retro red and white pigment, is about as standout as it gets! Whether you're looking for a one-of-a-kind resto-mod that's unrelentingly cool or, like us, you're just shamelessly enamored with vintage race cars, this killer bowtie is sure to please!

WHEN RACING IS LIFE

Right at home cruising the strip, right at home being the marquee attraction at the show, and right at home schooling competitors on the short track, this Chevy is the product of a detailed, 3-year build that was performed by a veteran stock car racer. After completing the project in late 2013, the car's creator, a skilled fabricator who spent two decades behind the wheel of Street Stocks, Late Models and Trucks, planned to book a little track time. But he just couldn't bring himself to thrash on what is surely one of the nicest vintage race cars on the planet. And make no mistake, even though this beast is titled as a 1978 Chevrolet 2-door sedan, it is every bit a street legal race car. Naturally, a build this intense required hours of precise metalwork which, predictably, was layered in the distinct combination of red, white, black and gold the builder ran on all his cars. And it all adds up to one world-class, eye-catching classic that's virtually guaranteed to drop jaws!

Despite being purpose-built and custom in many ways, this 3,300-pound resto-mod makes many concessions to comfort and streetability. At the front of the car, a requisite chrome bumper, which appears to be original to 1978, splits the difference between a custom radiator duct, dual-mode headlights and a factory grille that's finished with bowtie-branded parking lamps. Behind those torches, a custom, L88-style hood leads the eye to fresh greenhouse glass, as opposed to traditional stock car Lexan, that's cleared by modernized windshield wipers. At the sides of those blades, the car's all-steel panels continue through a hand-fabricated profile that features working doors, factory mirrors, a NASCAR-style fuel filler, and widened and flared wheel openings. And at the back of the car, a latched trunk hangs a hand-fabricated spoiler above factory taillights and a second chrome bumper.

DID YOU NOTICE THAT SUBTLE “406” SCRIPT ON THE HOOD?

Pull the pins and hit the latch to find 406 cubic inches of exclusive Chevrolet small block that was professionally assembled by Roanoke, Virginia's Mountainland Machine. That torque monster's growl originates when wind whips from a polished air cleaner to a 750 cfm Quickfuel 4-barrel that's cinched to wrapped lines, a coated pump and a quality Marshall pressure gauge. The resulting air/fuel mixture makes its way from a familiar Edelbrock Air Gap intake to lightweight aluminum heads, which balance fluid roller rockers and tough stainless valves beneath polished rocker covers and polished Moroso breathers. When the juice hits those heads, hot MSD 6ALN ignition sends fire through snug MSD Super Conductor wires, which are sequenced behind an MSD Blaster 2 coil and an MSD Pro-Billet distributor. 10 to 1 compression is bumped in a .030 overbore thanks to flat top pistons and a hydraulic, flat-tappet cam. Cooling for that fire comes courtesy of a big aluminum radiator that's strung in front of a billet water neck, a traditional pulley fan and a custom-fabricated cowl. Fluid for that cooling is provided by a Stewart water pump, which, along with a fresh alternator and a compact AC compressor, spins on high quality Vintage Air Front Runner components. 20W-50 high zinc oil is sourced from a center-pickup road course pan. Spent gases exit through a slick pair of Schoenfeld headers. And, according to this Chevy's owner, a steady stream of 93 octane nets about 425 horsepower.

YEP, IT'S REAL!

Park this Nova on a lift and you'll see where coveted red carpet flash transitions to serious race-winning might. The buff 406 leads a smooth hydraulic clutch, which kicks a fresh Tremec TKO600 5-speed. A color-keyed driveshaft twists thrust to a familiar 9-inch axle, which spins a proven Detroit Locker around big, 3.70 gears. That stellar drivetrain rides in a custom-fabricated, fully powder-coated tube chassis, which hangs modern coil-over-shocks between boxed control arms and a sturdy truck arm. That suspension compresses behind Wilwood disc brakes, which tighten through a dash mounted proportioning valve. That system points through lucid power steering, which is integrated around a 12 to 1 gearbox. Spent gases are managed by 3-inch, side-exit exhaust. Power pounds the pavement through Basset Racing Wheels, which spin 29x12.50R15 Hoosier Pro Streets around Metallic Gold sheen. And, if you're feeling racy, the car can easily be fitted with track radials.

AUTHENTIC THREADS FOR AN AUTHENTIC STOCK CAR

Pop this Chevy's shaved doors and you'll find an all-business interior that's good for driving or showing. Front and center, a full cage stretches Allstar Performance window nets beside adjustable Procar racing seats that, in addition to being trimmed in color-keyed vinyl, feature 5-point Crow Enterprizes harnesses. In front of those seats, a single-stage dash arranges reliable Auto Meter telemetry around modern Insignia audio, Vintage Air climate control and switches for the car's power windows. Beneath that dash, an insulated floor floats clean carpet around a predictable Hurst shifter. And the driver conquers apexes through a quick release steering wheel.

Owning a lights-out classic is cool. Owning a lights-out classic that's been tastefully customized is something few are lucky enough to experience. Owning a tastefully customized, lights-out classic that's so wicked it could easily be a legitimate race car is the stuff most gearheads dream about. Don't miss your chance to enjoy this astonishing Nova!

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HIGHLIGHTS

* Street legal Chevrolet Nova NASCAR tribute built by a seasoned circle track racer
* 3-year, highly authentic build
* 406 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
* Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission / Hydraulic clutch
* 9-inch rear axle / Detroit Locker differential / 3.70 gears
* Modern air conditioning
* Power steering
* Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
* Custom tube chassis / Custom suspension
* Custom-fabricated all-steel body with functional doors
* Streetable interior with power windows / Modern audio
* 15-inch Basset Racing Wheels
* Digital build photos
* All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
* We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world