We’re looking for our next project car, a budget-oriented ’68-72 Nova street machine.

Ever since I sold project g/28, I’ve been on the prowl for another project. Initially, it will serve as a test bed for a 523-hp Dart 400 SHP small-block that we just finished for the magazine. (You may have seen the story on the short-block in the December issue.) After thinking about the options for this, and discussing it with folks around the office, I’ve decided to go hunting for a ’68-72 Nova. These are lightweight, relatively good looking, and they’re a lot less expensive than a ’67-69 Camaro.

I hit the Pomona swap meet last weekend to do some trolling. I found one or two possibilities, but nothing that struck me as just right. Ideally, I’d like a black car with straight sheet metal and good paint, but I’d consider other colors. For the interior (black vinyl), a bench seat/column shift is mandatory for that grannied-out look. I’ve been seeing a lot of cars with floor-shifter conversions, and those plastic-box $99 shifters don’t look like they’ll last two minutes, so that’s out.

For wheels, I want silver-painted 15-inch Ralleys with chrome trim rings. (Fat drag radials out back, natch.) Maybe some Flowmasters with turndowns in front of the rear axle too. I’ll probably do the leaf spring/shock relocation trick to fit the max meat possible without mini-tubbing.

For a trans, I’d really like to do a 2004-R overdrive. Basically, it’s the same case size as the Turbo 350 that many Novas came with, only it’s got an overdrive. The 2004-R can be built to handle a ton of power, and in a light car like the Nova, it should last forever. Behind the Dart 400, such a Nova could go low 11s in the quarter without much drama.

Nevertheless, I’ve got to find a Nova first. Then I’ve got to name it. If you have any ideas for the as-yet unobtained Nova, if you’ve got a lead on one, or if you have a cool name, post it up here, or email me at john.hunkins@sorc.com.