Back in 2008, I got this ’75 Chevy Nova, planning to keep it as a simple street cruiser. But things took a turn in 2010 when a flood hit, leaving it half underwater. Instead of being the end, that flood started a whole new chapter for this car.

At first, I thought about scrapping it. But then, I decided to give it another shot. I tore it down to the bones and rebuilt it from the ground up. By April the next year, it was back on the road, better than ever.

Under the hood, it’s got a 357-cid engine with .040 flat top pistons, a Comp XE268 cam, and aluminum heads. The TH350 transmission, 3.08 posi rear gear, and frame connectors make for a solid ride.

The wheels are 18″x8.5″ in the front and 18″x9.5″ in the back, Beyerns, with 245/45 and 275/40 tires. I’ve lowered the suspension, added bigger sway bars, tubular control arms, and a quick ratio power steering gearbox. It handles like a dream now.

Inside, I’ve gone for an all-electric dash, new gauges, and a GPS speedometer, all matching the blue theme I’ve got going on with new carpet kits, door panels, and emblems.

Next up, I’m planning to add a 2004r overdrive, some window tint, and maybe switch to fuel injection. This Nova’s come a long way since that flood. It’s a testament to what you can do with a bit of determination and a love for classic cars.