Thomas A’s 1970 Nova

Built From The Ground Up

Thomas A’s 1970 Nova

Thomas bought a new 1970 Nova SS in 1970 and sold it 4 years later after getting married. He needed cash for furnishings in a new apartment.

In 2005 after watching an episode of American Hot Rod with Boyd Coddington, he went on his website. There it was, a 1970 Nova. He yelled to his wife, there was our Nova, not the actual one but one just like it). She said to him “just get it.”. He got special collector plates with DZRT1ST based on his wife’s mantra “LIFE IS SHORT SO HAVE THE DESERT FIRST”.

It has the original L34 big block 396 ci 350 hp with the Muncie M21 4 speed transmission. The rear had 3.73 gears which were way too low for highway driving. He switched them out for 3.08s, great for highway driving, but it got boring after a while. He switched them out for 3.42s so, it gives him the best of both worlds.

He has the original SS style wheels and switched them out for US Mag chrome wheels 17×7 in front and 17×8 in the rear on BFG g-force sports. Brakes on the 1970 Nova were upgraded to Wilwood all around. The exhaust is a new Flowmaster Super 44. He put in 2-inch drop spindles in front and added power steering. Panels on the hood and trunk lid along with stripping finish the exterior. Dyna-matted the interior and trunk for a super quiet ride.

He doesn’t have any more plans for mods, and any events have been curtailed due to the pandemic. So he hasn’t been to any lately.

"Experience with SS396 is second to none as you have almost everything needed for restoration. Catalogue organization is great as well as your website."

-Thomas A

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