A YouTuber is restoring a 1971 Chevrolet Nova into their dream muscle car. After it sat for 46 years in a barn, it is set for an LS or LT engine.
The Chevrolet Nova is one of the most popular classic muscle cars on the market and is often the subject of many restorations. YouTube channel Subdivision Auto has unearthed a 51-year-old example of the Nova that has been in a barn for over 46 years. The video shows them rescuing the car and removing it from its hiding place, before beginning a restoration project.
The team behind the restoration is looking to devise a plan for the Nova and give the muscle car the full restoration that it deserves. The video also shows us how neglected the muscle car was after over four decades of rotting and rusting in a barn.
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The 1971 Chevrolet Nova Is In Deceptivley Poor Condition
Why This 1971 Chevrolet Nova Was Chosen For Restoration
- The bodywork on this 1971 Nova is in good condition
- The interior comes complete with its bucket and rear seats
- Only minor work needs to be done to the Nova’s fenders
- The car will become a daily driver
The YouTuber talks us through the Nova and says that the last time the car was on the road was in 1977. It took the team 13 months to find the Nova, as they were seeking out a very particular car. The car was a true barn find and it is a clean slate for the team restoring it. The YouTuber says that it is mostly original, although a look under the hood reveals that there is no engine for the Nova.
The car was white thanks to a repaint, and the paintwork wasn’t done to the highest standard. This has contributed to the rundown condition of the muscle car. Despite the rough appearance, the metalwork is solid. The YouTuber says what it did have under the hood was a 350 ci block, complete with a four-speed manual transmission.
The Nova had power brakes, and the disc brakes also suggest that this is a higher-trim specification of the 1971 Nova. For this Nova, features such as the fenders and fender walls are in good condition, meaning that they will not need replacing. It should also provide a good starting point for this project.
The YouTuber discusses the paintwork of the Nova and that the car will go right back to bare metal. This is not only to completely restore the paintwork but to make sure the paint isn’t hiding any nasty surprises such as rust or corrosion.
A strip of trim used to run down the side of the Nova, but a previous owner removed it, filled the hole, and painted over the strip. The hope is though that much of the original skin of the muscle car will remain upon the completion of its restoration.
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What The Team Is Planning For The 1971 Nova Restomod
1971 Chevrolet Nova 350 Ci Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production Years | 1967-1974 |
| Configuration | Naturally-Aspirated V8 |
| Displacement | 5.7-Liter |
| Power | 245 Hp |
| Torque | 345 lb-ft |
| Fuel | Gas |
| Notable Applications | 1967 Chevrolet Camaro |
(Sourced from Nova Resource, Fastest Laps, Chevy Hardcore)
The YouTuber reveals the plans for the 1971 Nova, and the vision for the Nova is to retain as much of the original car as possible. Part of the reasoning for this is to ensure that it all fits the body as best as possible, with Subdivision saying that any replacement parts may not have quite the same fit. The video identifies the fenders as one area that needs work, thanks to a rough repair done by the previous owner. The fenders will get repaired in order to save them.
The front and rear bumpers came with the car and the video reveals them in good condition. They aren’t perfect, but the YouTuber says that as it won’t become a show car, it does not need to be perfect. The Nova also comes with a box of parts, including the trims, headlights, and bezels, which means nothing is missing. The rear quarter panels are another area that needs work, with visible rot showing. But as there are no structural integrity issues, a small piece is all that needs replacing. Only the flares need major attention.
Inside, the Nova comes with its dashboard and front bucket seats as well as the rear seats. Everything the team needs is here, and the plan is to reupholster while retaining the original headliner. Subdivision Auto says that they will save 90 percent of the Nova’s interior during the restoration work. The outside will go through a sanding down, then primed and painted to bring the car back to its former glory. The front window needs replacing, but the side and rear windows are all in good condition, so they will remain.
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The Powertrain Will Either Be An LT Or LS Motor
How This 1971 Chevrolet Nova Will Be Modernized
- A modern LS or LT engine will go under the hood
- The new owner will install power steering and air conditioning
- The 1971 Nova will receive a more aggressive stance
- A modern Tremec five-speed manual will go into the Nova
With no engine currently in the Nova, a choice needs to be made about its powertrain. Subdivision Auto says that they are thinking of going for a more modern LS engine, or even an LT engine. The YouTuber says that sourcing an LT engine will be trickier, but that it could be the more enjoyable of the two engines. What they also want to do is add power steering to the car complete with rack and pinion. As this Nova will become a daily driver, its new owner wants it to be a comfortable experience on a daily basis.
Modern refinements should transform the handling of the Nova according to the YouTuber, especially combined with the four-disc brakes at the front and rear. Air conditioning is another mod-con that the Nova will have. Originally, the Nova had a four-speed manual transmission, and it will retain a manual transmission after the rebuild.
A five-speed Tremec is on the cars for this restoration. The YouTuber chose this as it requires no modifications to work with the Nova, and it should drop right into the muscle car. Overdrive will help the Chevrolet get better fuel mileage on longer road trips.
Chris and Joey from YouTube channel 3:23 Fabrication began to restore the Nova, including bringing back the original paint job’s former shine.
The Nova Will Cost At Least $10,000 In To Restore
1971 Chevrolet Nova Sale Prices
| Lowest Sale Price | $6,600 |
| Highest Sale Price | $82,500 |
| Average Sale Price | $33,280 |
| Most Recent Sale Price | $16,304 |
(Sourced from Classic.com)
The YouTuber reveals the cost of the Nova, and he paid $5,000 Canadian dollars for it, which roughly equates to $3,700 USD. Where the cost will rise is buying things that are missing, and getting the engine and transmission into the car. In total, the cost will come to around $10,000 for the parts of the Nova. As Subdivision Auto was looking to spend at least that much on just parts for other cars he looked at, he sees this as a very good deal.
Sources: Subdivision Auto YouTube Channel, Classic.com, Nova Resource, Fastest Laps, Chevy Hardcore
