I own a first-generation 1972 Nova, but this Nova is special.

This is an Argentinian version called the Chevrolet 400. I bought it in 2009 with the original engine! Under the hood now is an inline 6 250ci engine with four gears.

A New Engine

The original engine was a 194ci with 3 gears (steering wheel gear selector), but I found that to be too boring. In Argentina, the V8 engines are very expensive, so I knew that was out of the question.

In 2011, I turned 40. I had only had my Nova for a couple years, and it still housed the original engine. On my birthday, a good friend of mine told me, “I bought a new engine for you!”

My first reaction? “You’re crazy!”

It was a 250ci model 1994 from a Chevrolet Silverado.

He prepped my engine, and we changed it out. The new engine now has almost 200hp. I still kept the steering wheel gear selector intact, but I changed the gear box out for a four speed along with the engine.

A Full Paint Job

in 2013 I started the process of painting my Nova. I could have paid to have someone do it, but I decided to do it myself. I removed all the paint from the car, leaving just the metal underneath, and repainted her with the striking orange you see in the photos now.

Just Ride

For nearly ten years, this Nova has been “finished.” Your work on a car is never done, but, with the new paint and new engine, I feel like I can call this car mine. I can show it off, take some beautiful photos, and drive around town with a car I’m proud of — a car that I have put my own time into.

It has really paid off.