'69 Nova for stock
 

Been looking at bodies to build a stocker. A Nova seems to be a good choice dollar wise and based on my limited knowledge looks like a '69 will offer many engine combos. Will this be a good choice?

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

No.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

If you want to work hard, and you're willing to spend the time and money, yes.

If you're trying to go for cheap and easy, you could hardly pick a worse car if you tried.

You can probably get away with running the car as any year between 68-72 (I'll probably have to face the inquisition for that), and with various big block and small block combinations, either 4 speed or automatic. Be aware that just about all of the faster 350, 396, and 402 combinations have been ridden hard and put up wet, so the factors are way up there. That makes it difficult and expensive to be relatively fast. Although, in truth, much of the work has been done, if you get the right help, and don't mind the effort and money. You could even run it as a 6 cylinder if you wanted.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Really? It's just a square camaro

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

I agree. I like them. The overhang is good, too.

But I still hesitate to suggest one to a guy who is very new to Stock, and may not really have the dedication, time, or money. It is sort of the deep end of the pool.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Check your private messages.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Sweet and to the point HAHAHA

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Obviously I don't want to flush money away but honestly I would rather it be tough. My daughter(s) will be doing the driving and we are leaving Jr Dragster so I have already pulled all my hair out from that. Whatever we chose will be a stick combo also. Thanks for all the comments and advice. Todd Greene

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

HAHA yeah I read that one on here.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Research what is running in your area.

If your daughter is driving, the 255/350 with a 4 speed is still a decent combination. It's fun, quick, and easy on parts. A good engine will not be cheap.

It will be expensive to build a car if you cannot do the vast majority of work yourself. Chad's car : http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=62036 is a sweet piece and worth the price. You won't beat it for the price, unless you build it yourself. Good people to deal with, too.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Thank you, PMed.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

I have a 73 Nova that only runs 5-6 under. Competitive but many cars are faster in my class but I love the car . I don't have the budget to make it run 1+ under but I have a blast. Figure out what your foul is and look at the cars for sale that meets your goals. Cheaper to buy than build in most cases.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Honestly, we will have a bit of a learning curve in tuning, driving, and how the events are run, so if we can run at all, we will be fine. We can come out and run competitively after we get our feet wet for a bit. We are still in the planning stages but have been looking forward to leaving the bracket side and moving into stock for more than a year. I just bought a new motorhome and trailer so we can travel as a family for the divisional and national events as soon as we stop with juniors and get a car done.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

I really don't know who Steve Williams is or where he bases his opinion, but I really have to disagree. I have been running one of these cars for awhile and believe I am qualified on this subject. There is no more versatile platform to race available. From AA to W stock depending on engine, year and weight. I do not know of another platform that will do that. All first gen Camaro suspension parts fit and are available. No real research needed. And if you want to run a stick, one of the very best, under rated combos is available in this car. Would like to help you with the project.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

The versatility is really what caught my attention, the parts interchangeability is also a plus imo. I have asked locally and saw a cringe also, but I believe that to be based on the class being ridden fairly hard. Honestly I just want my kids to move away from a typical bracket class and they like older body styles (I would do a '99-'02 F-body). I have an option to buy a pretty nice '72 reasonable but I don't want to pick up the first thing I see. Thanks for the offer for help I will lean on you for sure.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Sent PM

Kurt Gross

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Find a car that runs fairly hard and go with it. Meaning buy it. Starting from scratch is tough. She's learning and you might be too. Find a car she likes and fine tune it. Good luck and happy motoring.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

I agree 100%, I just don't want to buy a good car and then hang the rods out of it. Then I could have built one how I want for the same $$$. So if I buy one done it's going to have to be a good deal.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Chad's car IS a good deal. That is one nice car, and you'd probably have to do something really wrong to hang the rods out of it. I've seen the car up close and personal, several times. If I were looking for a Nova, especially a small block car to start a kid in, I'd buy that one.

Re: '69 Nova for stock
 

Looks like a real nice car, but for me, if I were going to spend that kind of dough I would consider Strickland's 70 which I think is an A B or C car. Plus it's red ;)