1968 COPO nova

[copo-2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nukledragger</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the car was a Harrell tuned 396 car and not a 427 transplant..</div></div>

So, what specifically made the non converted 396 Harrell Novas any different from the other L78's?(other than the heavy duty auto trans)
Thanks </div></div>

When you speak of the 1968 Gibb COPO Novas, you would be speaking of the 50 factory built cars, all with the same options except exterior colors(Matador Red, Tripoli Turquoise, Grecian Green, or Fathom Blue). These cars also had Black interiors, except the Fathom Blue cars had Bright Blue interiors. As they came to Gibb before modifications, the L-78 engine specs were the same as all other 396-375 motors. As far as the experimental Turbo-400 automaatic transmission, the Harrell cars retained the factory transmission on all that I am aware? These transmissions had very tight converters.

What the difference was is the fact that beside the 427 transplants, DHPC super tuned and added aftermarket products on these 396 versions that were sold through authorized Cheverolet dealers from the midwest to the Pacific Coast. Harrell modified these cars by reworking the distributors, tuning and changes made to the carburator, adding headers if the customer, plus many other options the buyer was willing to pay for? Those options included gauges, tachs, slicks, wheels, A&amp;A fiberglass hoods, even addition of extra carburation if you were willing to pay for it? Harrell &amp; Gibb were actually business associates with these Nova's, Gibb furnished the cars and Harrell did the modifying at his shop in K.C. What might be of interest to some, is the fact these cars still retained their 90 day factory warranty and could be financed by GMAC for the full price, including the added aftermarket products purchased. The short 90 day warranty reflects the fact that all 50 COPO Nova's were actually built and labeled for racing.