1968 'Chevy II' 327/325 HP 'L-79'

[Jim Parsons]

According to Doug Byoce in his book “Grumpy’s Toys” the 1968 Nova bill owned and mostly driven by Ed Hedrick as a SS/D was originally a L-79 car. Chevrolet engineering used it as a test mule and rather than scrap it gave it to Bill as Chevy wanted the new body style” to be seen in action by the young people”. He never ran the car with the L-79 engine as it was swapped out for a 396.

I have a NOVA restoration friend who found one and is redoing it. According to him and the National Nova Club there are only a few verified one left so very rare car.

Jim Parsons

[Paul Ceasrine]

Originally Posted by Jim Parsons

According to Doug Byoce in his book “Grumpy’s Toys” the 1968 Nova bill owned and mostly driven by Ed Hedrick as a SS/D was originally a L-79 car. Chevrolet engineering used it as a test mule and rather than scrap it gave it to Bill as Chevy wanted the new body style” to be seen in action by the young people”. He never ran the car with the L-79 engine as it was swapped out for a 396.

I have a NOVA restoration friend who found one and is redoing it. According to him and the National Nova Club there are only a few verified one left so very rare car.

Jim Parsons

Here it is,

[Jim Parsons]

Paul,
Great picture is that recently as a restoration or an old one of the car.
In reading the track/ road test article from Hot Rod the page ended when they were going to add the slicks? Any idea of how fast they were able to make it run.

FYI; my 66 SS NOVA L-79 when new would run 14 flat-13.90’s in show room stock with 3.36 rear and tiny rear tires with lots of wheel hop. Of course it was probably 250 lbs. lighter than the 68 plus the stock shifter was just as bad as they reported by Hot Rod.

Thanks

Jim

[Paul Ceasrine]

Jim,

October 20, 1968

NHRA World Finals {Tulsa, Oklahoma}

Super Stock Finals

Bill Jenkins 'SS/D' 396/375 HP - 1968 Nova ~ vs. ~ Dave Strickler 'SS/F' 302/290 HP - 1968 Camaro 'RS' 'Z-28'