67 Nova Drag Car Project

[cooperhw]

Like most of us here I have had a few cars over the years that are half *ss fast until you line up next to a FAST car. So about 4 years ago ()
I started building a purpose built drag car. Not to try to be any faster that in the 10's, but just so it was quick enough to go to the track and have fun. If it broke oh well, I could just load it on the trailer and haul it home and fix it whenever time/money allowed.
So I had a 66 Nova body stashed for years. The car had started life as a 4 door and the back doors had been welded up when I got it. It had no value & I didn't pay much for it. Perfect car to hack up into a drag car.
I hauled it from my property down to where I live and cut the entire floor out, installed a rectangle tube chassis, funny car cage, center steer, single seat back where the rear seat used to be.
Fast forward 4 years the car runs and drives, just never been finished to take to the track. It keeps getting bumped back in line by my 67 Chevelle, 63 1/2 ton GMC, or my current 68 C30 dually project.
Anyhow I had posted a thread on my weekend cruiser Chevelle so I though why not show what's in the other bay of my garage?
Her name is "Ugly Betty".

[cooperhw]

few more

[cooperhw]

try again

[onebigdog]

"Ugly Betty" is cool, can't wait to see your first run down the track. I have a 55 Chevy "more door" wagon that has been on the back burner for 16 years. My goal is mid 11 in the quarter. Not a show car but a weekend toy. Keep up the good work.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by onebigdog

"Ugly Betty" is cool, can't wait to see your first run down the track. I have a 55 Chevy "more door" wagon that has been on the back burner for 16 years. My goal is mid 11 in the quarter. Not a show car but a weekend toy. Keep up the good work.

Yeah thanks. It's funny. I used to laugh at guys doing more that one project at a time or having projects stall and move onto something else. Now "I AM THAT GUY". At least I am not alone.
I may only get in the 11's myself. Don't care really. Plenty fast at that. I have a brand new 496 BBC with a glide and a tranny brake in my Nova. What are you planning for the wagon?
I am also not planning nothing special for looks on Ugly Betty. Just a toy to take out 4 or 5 times a year and go racing and have some fun before it's too late.

[cooperhw]

Don't know if this link will work to a short video I had my buddy take in the neighborhood last year. A few little short hops, around the block, back in the garage, shut the door, cops cruised by about 1 minute later.

http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/co...00010.jpg.html

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice car and good work on it!

[onebigdog]

cooperhw, My car is stripped down to the basics, the rear end is narrowed, for bigger tires, full spool, 33 spline axles, ladder bars, coil overs. Fuel cell/battery in the back. 350 SBC, tunnel ram, on paper {should make 500 HP} engine is on the stand ready to break-in. Front suspension is complete w/poly bushings needs disc-brakes all around. Kirkey seat is installed, waiting for cage to be installed. Body is similar to yours. Mine needs a lot of work, however I am retiring in two months. Over the past 10 years my car was a dream and on hold, my son used to race Sprint Cars in Nor Cal and I have helped him build ,sell and destroy 7 cars. Now is Dad's time to play. Over the last 3 years I have working on my 66 GMC 3/4 ton long bed, I finished it and recently sold it. That is how I came to the forum. I want another C10, however I am considering waiting until my 55 Chevy is street worthy, so I won't get distracted.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by onebigdog

cooperhw, My car is stripped down to the basics, the rear end is narrowed, for bigger tires, full spool, 33 spline axles, ladder bars, coil overs. Fuel cell/battery in the back. 350 SBC, tunnel ram, on paper {should make 500 HP} engine is on the stand ready to break-in. Front suspension is complete w/poly bushings needs disc-brakes all around. Kirkey seat is installed, waiting for cage to be installed. Body is similar to yours. Mine needs a lot of work, however I am retiring in two months. Over the past 10 years my car was a dream and on hold, my son used to race Sprint Cars in Nor Cal and I have helped him build ,sell and destroy 7 cars. Now is Dad's time to play. Over the last 3 years I have working on my 66 GMC 3/4 ton long bed, I finished it and recently sold it. That is how I came to the forum. I want another C10, however I am considering waiting until my 55 Chevy is street worthy, so I won't get distracted.

Man I know what you mean about distractions.

Your wagon sounds a lot like my nova. We put a 2" X 3" rect. tube frame in it with ladder bars, coil overs, fuel cell, 9 inch, Currie spool with 31 spline axles, full cage, 496 & a glide with a brake.
Sounds like yours is a very solid build too with about the same expected results = FUN. Take it out to have some fun with the boys, and park it and mess with the trucks till next time.
Let's see some pics of that bad boy. Put em on here if you don't want to start a thread I don't mind at all. The more the merrier is my motto.
I don't come on here to "only talk about my junk", I like talking to others who dig the same stuff just as much no matter whose ride we are chatting about.

[cooperhw]

maybe this?



I don't know??

[flashed]

That is Bada$$ ,I love it .

[Dieselwrencher]

That car definitely sounds bad a$$!

[tommys72]

Haha, neighbors were loving that huh! Sounds good

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by tommys72

Haha, neighbors were loving that huh! Sounds good

About 3 or 4 neighbors Love it. ALL THE REST do not love it or me. I think they believe I am closely related to Satan.

[68anthony]

I have one of these cars also

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by 68anthony

I have one of these cars also

Yeah but yours is pretty as h*ll. I love it.
street car or track?
My street car is a black 67 Chevelle pro-street car. LS-2 & a 6 speed.

[cooperhw]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...ps88ef7bc1.mp4

Click on the pic above for noise.

Needed to bump this as a buddy is gonna come look at the video. Hope you all don't mind too much.

Nevermind. Don't seem to want to work. Post # 10 has a little video if you click on the picture.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

maybe this?



I don't know??

Maybe this will drag the video down with it? We'll see. If not post #10 has it.

[flashed]

I didnt realize how far back you are seated in there til watching the video again ,looks and sounds like a lot of fun.I have never owned a real fast toy .

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by flashed

I didnt realize how far back you are seated in there til watching the video again ,looks and sounds like a lot of fun.I have never owned a real fast toy .

Yeah the whole "theme of the build" was to try and re-create a 60's style funny car like Jungle Jim drove before he went to flip top funny cars. He was sitting back near where the rear seat was.
I used to love watching him race as a kid in southern California. Jungle Pam was nice too.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

My Nova video. Made in my H.O.A. governed sub-division. Drove around the block and handed my cell phone to my hot rod buddy Mike who made a little video for me.
I was having trouble with the front brakes not stopping the car (line lock) for rolling forward. Still got some work to do there.
You will notice I am sitting in the back seat area in the center of the body (center steer). The rear axle has been moved forward 8", front axle center line is 4" forward, and the 496 Big block Chevy is 12" back into the cabin space. new frame, floor, and firewall are in place along with a full roll cage.
It sounds ok listening to it at regular sound, but give it a try with the volume turned up LOUD if you are "Sure You Can Handle It".

If I can ever get Homer on the road I am jumping back on "Ugly Betty" with a vengeance to get her finished and to the track finally.

[aussiejohn]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

few more

Was this when you brought it to Australia for a trial run?

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by aussiejohn

Was this when you brought it to Australia for a trial run?

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

I would love to take anything Down Under. Maybe someday.
Posted via Mobile Device

[aussiejohn]

cooper,

Give me a call if you ever plan to visit Melbourne, you will be made welcome. On an aside, I befriended a charming couple from Lodi CA when I was on the 2009 Corvette Caravan and they visited Oz in March. I picked them up at Brisbane Airport and we spent a few weeks cruising down the eastern coast from Caloundra via Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Eden and finally Melbourne. We even got to go on a dinner cruise with my local Corvette Club two days before they flew home.

Fun times!

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by aussiejohn

cooper,

Give me a call if you ever plan to visit Melbourne, you will be made welcome. On an aside, I befriended a charming couple from Lodi CA when I was on the 2009 Corvette Caravan and they visited Oz in March. I picked them up at Brisbane Airport and we spent a few weeks cruising down the eastern coast from Caloundra via Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Eden and finally Melbourne. We even got to go on a dinner cruise with my local Corvette Club two days before they flew home.

Fun times!

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

Awesome. Friend request coming. You like my Ugly Betty?
Posted via Mobile Device