68 Nova McKay Chev

[GrumpyJeff]

Originally Posted by Blk61409

I can fill in some blanks about the 68 Nova. Don Kidd was the son of the parts manager, Virgil Kidd, for Bill McKay Chev. I worked there and had raced cars for years. Don raced the car when he first got it in High School. It was a dark blue 327 4 speed.
Virgil asked me to assist with the car.
The dealership bought the car along with buying the ZL-1 from Dick Harrell.

I built the engine for the Nova, installed one of the first Z-28 offset dual Holleys.
Labor Day 1969, class record was 12.06, backed it off the trailer with a 12.05.

Finally ran 11.86 with a .060 over 327, 4 speed, 5.38.

Car was sold to a guy that worked in the body shop, never seen again. May have been painted grey.

When I or somebody else on here ask's if anybody knows or remembers a specific car these are the responses we dream off !!! Love this site !!! thanks for sharing

[luzl78]

I wonder if someone told 61409 about the car or did he just see the posts and joined. I’m glad he joined and explained some history

[markjohnson]

Originally Posted by luzl78

I wonder if someone told 61409 about the car or did he just see the posts and joined. I’m glad he joined and explained some history

I messaged Pat and let him know the Nova he was involved with back then was being discussed here. You know, cuz we’re like 409 guys!

[JRSully]

a 5:38 gear! unreal..

[WILMASBOYL78]

Originally Posted by JRSully

a 5:38 gear! unreal..

Back in the day my first L78 Nova had 4.56 gears...my boss at the garage went for a ride with me one day...he said "Tommy the engine is going faster than the tires".

Never forgot that line

-wilma

[9566 BA]

I talked to Pat today, the builder and driver of the record holder nova. It started life as a L-79. They didn’t like it very much at McKay Chevy when he was keeping up with the ZL-1! As far as the 5:38 he called it making RPM. Very cool to talk to someone that actually raced the car from an old picture! Wish it was still around. Probably in someone’s back yard ruining. You never know someone might read this post and show us pictures of how he restored it!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Just checking back on this great thread in case I'd missed any postings but no such luck.
Pat's post and info relayed is quite simply some of THE best from the good old world so I thought I'd kick this thread back to the top/hoping for more posts on the subject car or anything from Pat including his '61 W-car.
Below are the subject Nova pics again that 9566 BA posted but in likely date progressive order w/ added scoop etc, note middle pic is Ramblin' Rose 1 but first/last Ramblin' Rose No. 1?

~ Pete

.

[9566 BA]

I will call Pat and ask him about the Ramblin Rose number differences. Jim McKay like the Nat King Cole song that's why he named the car that. Also he used that as a selling hook as he put a rose in the front seat of every car he sold when he delivered it. He also had a catchy little jingle that I have to ask Pat again how it went. Its odd that they took the time to change how #1 was written . On the early picture it has engine by which I cant read, and was removed on the later pics.

[Carleen]

x

[9566 BA]

That picture is from Green Valley Raceway in Ft Worth TX. They are lined up for the Top Stock Eliminator. He had to spot his 327 a bunch. As Pat put it" We lined up , I launched and saw him in my rear view mirror lifting the front end and then dying! Easy win for me. "
Trophy he won, by the way that was a 427 camaro
https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1615763091