I still have my High School car: a 1972 Monte Carlo 454. But I had always liked the 66/67 Novas and planned to buy one for my wife someday. One day a buddy of mine called me and said he met a guy with a 1966 Nova project car for sale. I thought I would at least take a look, (even though I wasn’t ready to buy). I called and set up a meeting with the owner, only to discover he lived only about a 1/2 mile from me!

When I got there I found a car that already had the floors, and both rear quarters replaced and shell already painted (work done by a shop that had the car four years). By the time he got the car back he said his health had gotten worse, and he was unable to finish the project. The car sat in his garage two more years before he decided to sell it. I made the deal the same day and bought the car.

The Nova looked pretty good, but I am pretty picky, so I took the car to Jeff at Spears Automotive to fix the flaws & repaint the car. Another friend of mine Jim Moss of Paradise Road Rod & Custom hooked me up with Joe JR. at Chevy2 only, where I bought all of my restoration parts. I also had to lean on him a few times for technical advice. Meanwhile, the wife was getting angry over three cars in the Garage and insisted one had to go (the 3^rd car was a 66 Pro Street Chevelle I had at the time).  So I agreed to sell the Chevelle – but only if the Nova would be mine.

It took me two years before the car was completed. I did have some problems with wheels and a disc brake conversion kit I bought at a swap meet, (I don’t recommend) but I learned my lesson to buy only from a company you can trust (like GM Classics & Chevy 2 Only). The Nova was ‘finished’ in May 2010. So unfortunately, it wasn’t ready in time for Super Chevy. I have only been to three local shows so far. But, I’m hoping to attend Good Guy’s and maybe the upcoming Nova Nationals.

The Parts:

I have bought way too many parts from Chevy 2 Only to list so I will list some of the highlights: front sump oil pump kit, 700R4 conversion kit, motor mounts, front & rear suspension parts, headers, all power steering parts, pedals, bumpers and brackets, locks, bezels, emblems (inside & out), fuel tank parts, complete interior, power antenna, wheel well moldings, window seals and felts, weather stripping, and hardware. One of the best parts was when I needed advice I had someone that knew the cars, and the parts he was selling, so the tech advice was great!

– Bill Carney