The purchase of this 1967 Nova SS 327 took 50 years to become a reality. It started as a childhood dream when Tony was eight years old, seeing this car everyday as the bus passed by. He prayed it would one day be his.
The original owners, his cousins, John and Karen L, purchased this car on 2 June 1967. Over the years Tony’s cousin Kent T and him tried to persuade John to sell it; but unfortunately, he never had any desire to let it go. Nevertheless, Kent and Tony were persistent and never stopped asking. If you knew John, he was a stubborn person, and wouldn’t do anything he didn’t want to. As the years passed by, owning the car seemed increasingly out of reach, and Tony and I were losing hope. During a visit to Ohio, Tony saw Karen and Cheryl at a family gathering. During a conversation, they mentioned the car and said they hoped it would be his one day. Hope – that’s all he needed to get his juices flowing. The first call went to Kent, telling him they were back on track to owning the Nova. While at a Pigeon Forge car show in April 2016, I posted a picture of several Nova classics. To his surprise, Tony received a text from Karen, saying there was a classic at their house, which could be up for sale. He called immediately, sure that she was joking, she said no, John was ready.
Tony called a friend to ask if he could restore the Nova. He knew how much Kent and Tony wanted this car, so he agreed to do the restoration for them. Over the years Kent and Tony would talk cars, and the discussion would always lead to the Nova. In 2016, Kent T passed away. Tony was devastated but knew in his heart that he was looking down and would see him through this build. After negotiations Tony made it to Knoxville and closed the deal with John. He was elated that day, but also knew it wasn’t an easy decision for John. He remembers pulling the car to Ohio, seeing it on the trailer in his rearview mirror, knowing it was his. Tony also remembers looking up at heaven, smiling at Kent with a tear in his eye, knowing he approved.
Tony wants to continue spreading the story and driving the car!
