Professionally Built Pro Touring Nova LS1 V8 Tremec 5-Speed Leather A/C

Originally envisioned as a fun weekend cruiser, this 1964 Chevrolet Nova quickly evolved into something far more ambitious. Like so many great builds, the plan snowballed…and over the course of a two-year, no-expense-spared transformation, the car was reimagined into a full-on restomod masterpiece. The work was entrusted to the team at Chassis Crafters in Holly Hill, Florida, and the result is a car that blends craftsmanship, performance, and clean design in equal measure.

Visually, the Nova strikes a perfect balance between restraint and attitude. Body modifications are subtle but well-executed: the bumpers were tucked and finished in show-quality chrome by Advanced Plating, the front tag mount was filled, the Chevrolet script was deleted front and rear, and a flush-mount fuel filler door was added out back. Kindig-It flush-mount door handles clean up the side profile, while a custom one-off lower front spoiler, designed and fabricated by Chassis Crafters, adds a tailored touch to the front valance. The rear fascia was finished in matte grey for contrast, which pairs nicely with the candy finish.

Speaking of paint, the body was sprayed in Axalta Hot Hues “Burning Brick,” a deep candy tone that glows under the light thanks to a six-layer process and meticulous cut and buff. Advanced Plating also refinished the grille and various small parts to complete the look. H4 headlights and LED taillights round out the lighting upgrades, and the Nova rides on polished-lip, satin grey 18” Forgeline ZX3P wheels wrapped in staggered Nitto Invo rubber…255s up front, 295s in the rear. The stance is wide, planted, and aggressive without overreaching.

Lift the hood via strut-assisted hinges and you'll find a 5.7L LS1 V8 that's been thoroughly reworked—both mechanically and visually. It's managed by a Speartech EFI system and dressed to impress, with the block and heads finished in glossy metallic grey. That color carries over to the high-rise Edelbrock intake and large cold-air tube for a cohesive look. Set against a sculpted firewall and bead-rolled inner fender panels, the engine bay is ultra-clean, with wires and hoses carefully routed out of sight. Billet Specialties valve covers and a Tru Trac serpentine drive system, complete with A/C and power steering, add function and form, while a paint-matched aluminum radiator and Wilwood master cylinder complete the polished presentation.

Backing the LS is a Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission, paired with a hydraulic clutch and a Ford 9-inch rear axle featuring a Detroit Speed Engineering housing, limited-slip differential, and 3.73 gears. The chassis is equally sorted thanks to a full Detroit Speed setup: front clip with tubular control arms, Quadralink rear suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, anti-sway bars at both ends, and JRi coilovers at all four corners. Big cross-drilled C6 Z06 disc brakes provide serious stopping power, and the soundtrack flows through Detroit Speed stainless headers into a custom 2.5” stainless system with chambered mufflers, fabricated in-house at Chassis Crafters.

Inside, the attention to detail continues. Shannon Walters and Ricky Howard handled the custom leather work, using saddle-colored Relicate hides across the front and rear seats, center console, and door panels. A custom-fabricated dash from Chassis Crafters anchors the cockpit, featuring clean Dakota Digital VHX gauges and a Vintage Air climate control system. The dash also sports a hand-painted bullet spear graphic that ties in with the cloth headliner…a sharp detail that adds contrast and character. Custom fabric lines the floors, and the custom stitchwork even extends into the finished trunk, which houses hand-stitched custom luggage made to match the interior.

Amenities include power windows and a Rockford Fosgate head unit with AM/FM, Bluetooth, and built-in Pandora streaming. A 1000-watt amplifier powers six JBL speakers, delivering strong, balanced sound. The driver interfaces through a leather-wrapped Billet Specialties steering wheel and a billet shifter topped with a cue ball knob.

From every angle this Nova delivers. It's a true one-off that blurs the line between hot rod, show car, and modern performance build. The level of craftsmanship and detail throughout speaks volumes, and replicating this car today would cost nearly double the asking price, not to mention years of downtime…if you could even find a builder you trust. This isn't just a restomod. It's a rolling work of art with the heart of a driver and the polish of a showpiece.

Key Highlights

* Ground-up, two-year build by Chassis Crafters
* 5.7L LS1 V8
* Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission
* Ford 9" with DSE housing
* 3.91 gearing with limited-slip differential
* 18" 3-piece Forgeline ZX3P wheels
* Detroit Speed Engineering front clip
* Tubular control arms
* DSE Quadralink rear
* JRi coilovers front and rear
* C6 Z06 four-wheel disc brakes
* Axalta Hot Hues "Burning Brick" paint
* Custom-fabricated front chin spoiler
* Tucked bumpers
* Custom interior with Relicate leather
* Custom-stitched, matching luggage
* Cusom-fabricated dashboard
* Dakota Digital VHX gauges
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Modern air-conditioning