1966 Nova Street Machine

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I started this about a month ago so I'll do a quick catch-up to bring everything up to speed.







The engine I will be using is a 350 TPI. Here's a pic of what I'll try to make it look like



In the instructions it says to install the engine first and then all the front suspension afterwards. I always leave the engine for last so I don't damage or knock something off while working on the rest of the chassis. Has anyone here built this kit before know why or does it really matter?







And some mock up pics with the body on. Once again, the tires are a tad too big and do not fit into the body. I'll see if I can trim a little off of the rear end to make them go in just a little bit more.








As usual, more custom work had to be done. I realized that I needed roll bars since this is a street/drag car and of course I didn't have any in my parts box so I had to make some. I just took aluminum tubing and very carefully bent the back brace bars and then put music wire inside so they could connect to the front bar. Nothing is glued in yet but it fits good.

What do you think, passenger seat yes or no?





Whew!! I think I'm all caught up now

[kirbside]

Looking real good. Keep the updates coming.

[geezerman35]

Good start.
Looks like yer doing nice neat work.

[virgmeister]

I love the color on the frame. The build is looking sweet!!! I have built this frame before, and i did not put the engine in first. Using headers you will want to put them on after the motor is in. I found this to be easier. Building it as a street machine, i would use both seats. Maybe add a detail master seatbelt kit??? Using aluminum tubing for the rollcage is better than the kit cage. It will fit better, cause your building it to the car. I hope you find the info helpful. It is a fun kit to build. As a hint for a future build, i cut the tub area off of the nova frame and attached it to a revell skips fiesta '55 chevy with little modifications. Sorry for the run-on...LOL. Keep the build update pics coming.

Virgil

[rodburner]

looking good! this is a NICE kit to build. I built one and a half, would consider doing anoher one someday too.

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Thanks guys!

Finally got the seat belt harness in after fumbling with it for an hour or so. Can't seem to handle flimsy stuff I guess. Anyway, should I put a seat belt on the passenger side or make it even scarier for them?

[virgmeister]

Aug 6, 2009 22:17:24 GMT -5 thumb said:

Thanks guys!

Finally got the seat belt harness in after fumbling with it for an hour or so. Can't seem to handle flimsy stuff I guess. Anyway, should I put a seat belt on the passenger side or make it even scarier for them?

Being a prostreet/street machine, i would use the seatbelts on the other seat also. More realistic. Looking good man!!!!!

Virgil

[bob29579]

Either put a seat belt on the passenger side, or just turn it into an injector seat would be my view... ha I guess either way though, a seat belt might be a good idea, wouldn't it... ha
This is a great kit, I built it when it first came out. I see no reason to put in the engine first. Keep us posted.

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Finally got the interior done! I am thinking why put in a steering wheel, it's a drag car and it only goes straight..... Right???

[virgmeister]

That is a sweet interior. keep the great work pics coming

Virgil

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Thanks Virgil, I got the color on today and now just need to let it dry a bit then color sand it just so lightly. Then I can start the trim on it. Oh, if you didn't notice, I took off all the badges and will replace them with some PE parts.

[Spooky]

That's gonna be a great looking Nova!

Very nice color. What color is it, if you don't mind me asking?

Keep us updated!

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Thanks Moon Pie,

The color on the body is Dupli-Color Light Blue Metallic #DSGM302

[tooltas]

looks nice

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Aug 16, 2009 13:34:58 GMT -5 RodBurNeR said:

SICKALICIOUS! work thus far, thumb

I guess that's good?

Moving right along I've hit a couple small but fixable problems. The Gibson engine is slightly larger than the kit engine so when I try to fit it into the chassis, it sits to far back because the exhaust hits the motor mounts. There's two things I can do:
1. Try trimming the back of the motor mount a bit, or
2. Just cut the mounts off and move them forward a little bit.

I think I need about a 1/16" to make everything fit.