SuperCar 1974 Nova SS ????

[55chevy]

Does anyone know of or ever heard of a '74 Nova SS dealer modified Supercar??? I know this year of Nova gets very little respect being the last year of a body style, having the heaviest bumpers and almost the lowest horsepower ('73 was actually lower) and pretty much being the period on the end of the Muscle Car sentence... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Not much attention is ever paid to the fact that the Nova was the ONLY Super Sport Chevy produced in 1974. But you could still get a fairly quick, fun and good looking Nova in 1974.

I've got an immense magazine collection covering mostly 1965-2005 and I don't have even 1 article that I can think of on even a factory 74 Nova SS... I have searched in the Supercar world for YEARS for just ONE 1974 Nova SS that was dealer built. You'd think there would be at least 1 Motion built car??? I've not seen or even heard of it.. The closest thing out there that I know of is the '73 Nickey Nova SS 427. There are 2 that I know about, the Orange/black roof from the Car Craft article in 1973 and the Maroon/black stripe car Kevin S. owns. But what happened to 1974? Am I the only one who cares about that year Nova? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Every one of us has "that" car that made us Car guys.. Right? Mine happened about 1977 (I was about 5-6yrs old)and it was the neighbor kids dads '74 Nova SS. Silver w/black SS graphics.. black bench interior.. Hurst 4spd w/T-handle that curved up over the seat.. Gauges under the dash.. Chrome side pipes.. tracton bars.. SS hood grills.. Stock '74 rally wheels... I remember that car vividly to this day... I even drew a picture of it from memory that was published in Nova Times years ago (NNNs monthly pub).

I've owned 2 '74 Novas.. One I had from 1991-1997 and it was originally (as I decoded it) a very cool Nova. It came from the factory a Super Sport.. Lime Yellow (a green color), Black Custom bench seat interior, M20 4 speed, L48 350 4bbl, Power brakes, Manual steering, non-air car.. whatever else I can't remember.. Of course by the time it got to me it was a Black/black, bucket seat car with a saginaw, Mr gasket shifter and a 350 truck motor that lasted 1 week.. over the years I put it back in shape and gave it back some lost respect, but I sold it freshly painted black/black with the buckets and a 307/automatic th350... (I kept the built 350, M21 and 12 bolt I had in it at the time)

anyway

Today right now I'm putting together the 2nd '74 Nova I've owned.. This one is nothing special originally. Just a Nova Custom w/air car. Right now it's brown w/white bench interior. But I've decided to put this car back together with the memories I have of the '74 SS that made me a car guy. I want to paint it Silver. Already have the black SS decals and side pipes to go on it. I'm in body work stage right now. And I'm straying from my original question.. Sorry for rambling.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Anyone know of ANY 1974 Super Sport Nova Supercars ever made????? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I sure don't.

They're not bad looking cars
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/145502-a2_1_b.jpg

[Lynn]

[ QUOTE ]
Of course by the time it got to me it was a Black/black, bucket seat car with a saginaw, Mr gasket shifter and a 350 truck motor that lasted 1 week..
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/145502-a2_1_b.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Drove it a little hard did you? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[55chevy]

[/ QUOTE ]

Drove it a little hard did you? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It lived a hard life long before I got it http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[bbdon]

It seems likely that there were some 74 Nickey Novas built, but I have never seen one either. Chevy Action January 1975 had a road test on the 74 Nova SS. In addition to the two supercars that you mentioned, there were pictures of a light green Nickey 73 Nova SS previously posted on this forum. Let's see if I can call them up again.

http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/nickey2.jpg

http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/nickey3.jpg

http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/nickey4.jpg

[55chevy]

That's right.. I did forget about this green car. But I remember it now http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[55chevy]

I had those pics saved in a different spot along with this one I just found I had.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/145517-websitepics_003.jpg
I also have pics of the '75 Nickey Nova. I've seen a '75 Motion Nova too. But why would they skip over the Nova for '74?? There HAS to be a '74 out there somewhere. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[hvychev]

Ed you are not alone. I too was made a car guy by a 1974 Nova that my dad bought brand new! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
Ed you are not alone. I too was made a car guy by a 1974 Nova that my dad bought brand new! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I remember you saying that.

I thought about mentioning mine then but didn't feel like typing that much at the time or something..
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif
Just something about the '74 that sticks with ya http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif You have to be bit by one at an early age to understand I guess..

I'm going to dig out my photo album and post up a few digitals of the '74 SS I sold back around '97. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone will recognise it.. I haven't seen it since http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I sold it to a young guy in Dallastown, PA. I sure hope it didn't end up at Busheys in York and pieced out http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hvychev]

Here is pops 74 Nova circa 1974.

[55chevy]

If anyone here knows and talks to Joel Rosen frequently, could you ask him if he ever put his magic on a '74 Nova SS? I'd love to talk to him about the Motion cars but I'm sure he gets it from 4 different directions every other day about that. I don't want to waste his time and ask him things he's heard a million times already. There isn't any car in question that I know of either, I'm just curious. I want to finish out my '74 in a Motion- Day 2 style. I'm not going to add any emblems or Motion style paint job or anything, I'm putting the factory SS stripe kit on it, but it'll have side pipes, cragars and a few other bolt ons that'll give it a Motion influenced look. I was going to add a stinger hood but I just can't swing it right now.

Anyway if someone could ask Joel if he remembers any 74 Novas coming through and post up a yay or nay I'd appreciate it.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[69hurstSC]

wow, this post made me smile! i am 28 years old and have owned my 74 Nova since i was 15. a brown on black interior Nova custom. not much for options except for a windshield antenna. i ran the car dead stock down the 1/4 to the tune of a 16.5 not mind blowing, but for a 185hp 2 barrel it clearly has potential. also get this.. we parted out a rotted 74 SS to help put mine together. i know, how sad. i still regret carcassing a 74 SS :-(

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm going to dig out my photo album and post up a few digitals of the '74 SS I sold back around '97. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone will recognise it.. I haven't seen it since http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I sold it to a young guy in Dallastown, PA. I sure hope it didn't end up at Busheys in York and pieced out http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not gonna let this tread die dammit http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I had to go find it on page 3!!

here is a pic of the 74 Nova SS I used to own. I sold it to a guy in a suburb of York, PA. Anybody in that area recognise it?? I wish I'd kept it http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Hopefully it still lives.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/149019-DSC00806.JPG

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/149024-DSC00812.JPG

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/149025-DSC00808.JPG

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/149026-DSC00809.JPG

[55chevy]

last one http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/149029-DSC00813.JPG

[Salvatore]

Man, That ain't a bad lookin car! Underrated I would say. I like it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
Ed you are not alone. I too was made a car guy by a 1974 Nova that my dad bought brand new! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Ah come on Frankie....You were only a glimmer in Pops eye back then! You never saw that car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

How about a Spirit of America '74? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif
http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar/grom/bilder/478.jpg
I've seen lots of NOS SoA trim pieces lying around at swap meets over the years, always thinking I'll eventually see a flawlessly restored example...but I can't say I can think of one. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif Maybe we'll luck out and someone will bring their SoA car to the all Nova show in AC.

[hvychev]

Sammy that was the longest my pops ever kept a car! He had it from 1974-1983! I remember it vividly because of that distinct "old car smell" and the fact that by the time he sold the car to my uncle with 125K miles the front seats were ripped and we used to tear the foam out of them! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
Man, That ain't a bad lookin car! Underrated I would say. I like it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I loved that Nova even though it wasn't in the best shape. When I was in highschool a kid a grade above me owned it and drove it every day. I would check it out from time to time. Still had a bench seat in it back then. I graduated in '90 and didn't see much of it after that. Then sometime in '92 a buddy of mine told me this guy who owned a little car lot in the middle of nowhere just got it in on a trade and I jumped on it immediately. It was beat and worn. The exhaust pipes were rusted off. The seats had been changed. Holes drilled in the dash for gauges. Rust got to it and the paint was chipping off here and there. It felt strong but the engine spun a bearing a week after I got it home. Then it sat for some time. I eventually turned my attention on it and made it an awesome daily driver. After I redid all the mechanicals it ran like an SS396. ... wish I had kept it and did all the body work it needed instead of yanking all the hi-po stuff and selling it http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[Salvatore]

You are right Ed you should have kept it. With the prices of cars today we just keep moving up in the years. 67-69 stuff has become 70 to 72 stuff, and now we are considering "musclecars" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif from 72-75. Because of affordability. I go to the drags alot and see that the 73-74 novas with I guess 185 rated H.P. are setting the I/S records in the 11:20's and so. I am beginning to like 74 Z/28's. They are growing on me. Look at Lee Zanes K/SA Buick. 73-74 I don't know, but he runs in the mid 11's, with a Buick motor. The way I look at it is that years ago people started with Corvettes than when they got out of reach they went to camaros then to chevelles and novas and then even to 68-72 chevy pick-ups. Now that all that stuff is used up and over priced we have to go up to the next level. The Mopars were never worth anything till some one realized that they were truly scarce because they were so junky you couldn't find one 10 years old that was still on its wheels. On and on and on! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif