One of the coolest things about the classic car hobby is the amount of passion and creativity enthusiasts put into projects that can sometimes span decades. And since all of us here at RK Motors Charlotte are gearheads in one form or another, we know the kind of dedication a ‘built to keep’ project takes. That said; it seems every time we think we’ve seen it all, another completely amazing car comes through the doors and just knocks our socks off! This 1967 Chevrolet Nova pro-tourer is a professionally assembled ‘built to keep’ stunner that wraps a fresh 355 V8, some of the best performance hardware on the market, and a custom massaged interior in one of the most impressive bodies to ever come out of a GM design studio. And best of all, you can drive and enjoy it RIGHT NOW for less than half of what it cost to build!

You know, we’ve heard for a long time that Wooding’s Auto Body in Roanoke, Virginia is the place to go if you want a car done right. And judging by the caliber of their work, which has adorned some of the nicest and fastest selling cars we’ve featured, we couldn’t agree more! Their latest project is this super cool, and super slick, ’67 Nova pro-tourer which is a ‘take no prisoners’ build that was completed in late 2010. Exceptionally solid and ready to hit the show circuit, this broad shouldered compact features laser straight body panels that were aligned to better-than-factory standards, block sanded into a Kansas-flat surface and covered in a striking coat of Honda blue paint. Once that urethane was dry, a custom painted yellow graphic, which perfectly accentuates the intersection of the body’s main character lines, was expertly applied and, along with the rest of the car, wet sanded, buffed and polished to a head turning shine. The result is one fantastic looking muscle car which features a level of fit and finish that is more akin to a concept car than a 45 year old classic, and has the kind of unique style and daydream inducing eyeball appeal that will drop jaws anywhere you go.

The handsome, sharp-edged lines of the Nova II are typical 60s conservative. And because they’re so appealing to look at and so specific in nature, they’ve continued to gain significant popularity as car design has become more and more homogenized. At the front of the car, a body-width show quality chrome bumper hangs clear and functional parking lights below two pristine headlights and a ’67 Nova Super Sport exclusive black anodized grille. At the top of the car, pristine stainless trim frames 100% new, factory tinted glass that is cleared by spotless stainless windshield wipers. At the sides of the car, clean modernist panels are complemented by traditional chrome GM door handles, dent-free stainless wheel well trim and a chrome driver’s side mirror. And at the back of the car, chrome trimmed vertical tail lights illuminate a second body-width chrome bumper which hangs between a pristine “Chevy II by Chevrolet” emblem and good looking stainless exhaust tips.

Hoist the mirror-like blue hood and you’ll find a 355 cubic inch small block V8 that has seen less than 100 miles of road time since it was bolted between the car’s custom fabricated and body-matched inner fenders. Featuring a .030 overbore, this vintage Chevy block was installed after the owner decided the cars initial powerplant, a 383 stroker, was too radical and too moody. The result is a tight running pro-tourer which has both the killer power you’d expect from a top notch muscle car AND excellent street manners! At the top of the engine, a tall brushed metal air cleaner traps air in a re-usable filter element and swirls it into a chrome 670cfm Holley carburetor which is bolted to a high performance aluminum intake. At the sides of that intake, fresh aluminum heads hide fresh roller rockers and fresh roller lifters under custom fabricated aluminum valve covers. And at the back of that intake, a high performance MSD distributor sends fire from a fender mounted MSD 6AL ignition system to high quality MSD plug wires. Those wires snake around ceramic coated long tube header which, with the help of a hot roller cam, beat a mean sounding rhythm through a mandrel bent true dual exhaust system. At the front of the engine, new V-belts spin a chrome alternator and a high quality Sanden AC compressor at the ends of sturdy and attractive polished brackets. And a factory correct radiator circulates water between fresh hoses, a trick billet thermostat housing and an aluminum water pump. Aesthetically, this Nova’s engine bay is completely spotless; and details like a chrome fuel pump, a complete set of braided hoses, a billet dipstick and a pristine Chevy Orange block contrast exceptionally well to its glossy blue hue.

One of the best parts of owning a pro-tourer is putting it up on a lift; and naturally, this Nova does not disappoint! I say ‘naturally’ because, after studying the body and spending ample time taking in the engine bay, you should know by now that this car is the real deal! Behind the small block 355, you’ll find a tough 5-speed Richmond transmission which sends power to a narrowed Ford nine inch rear end that has been equipped with both a Strange center section and stout 3.50 gears. At the front of the car, a Heidts sub-frame slides a modern rack and pinion between tubular control arms and polished coilover shocks that live under gloss blue inner fenders. At the center of the car, a mandrel bent true dual exhaust system sends burnt dinosaurs past a tubular transmission crossmember to an X-pipe crossover, new dual chamber Flowmasters and pristine stainless tips. And at the back of the car, a factory four link suspension hangs a second set of coilover shocks below Detroit Speed mini tubs. Stops are provided by Wilwood four wheel disc brakes which utilize polished calipers to squeeze massive drilled and slotted rotors. And motivation is supplied by a professionally painted stainless fuel tank which funnels gas through fresh stainless fuel lines. The cars floors and chassis are extremely clean and display a nice coat of gloss black paint under evenly sprayed protective black undercoating. And based on appearance alone, I’d say this Nova’s small amount of post-restoration mileage was racked up exclusively on sunny Saturday afternoons. All this awesome hardware rides on a great looking set of 18 and 20 inch Billet Specialties Legends wheels which feature four inches of back spacing in the rear and wear 235/40 and 275/35 Continental Extreme Contact radials.

Take a look inside this laser straight Nova and you’ll find a nice mix of classic and custom pieces which create a tailored environment that still retains the integrity of GM’s already impeccable design. The custom black seats, which come courtesy of King’s Auto Upholstery in Roanoke, Virginia, show no wear at all and feature trick metallic silver piping that perfectly complements traditional chrome knobs and fresh chrome emblems. In front of those seats, a familiar satin black dash, which is topped by a fresh pad that looks brand new, hangs a full assortment of Auto Meter silver faced gauges and an MP3 compatible Alpine CD player above traditional chrome accessory knobs and controls for the cars heat and air conditioning system. Below the seats, new black carpet, which is protected by “Nova” stitched color-keyed floor mats, frames slick metal trimmed foot pedals and a chrome Hurst shift that’s complete with a white cue ball knob; and above the seats, a tight black headliner stretches around a chrome rearview mirror and a fully functional dome light. In front of the driver, a tilt steering column, which has been fitted with trick billet stalks, props an aluminum GM Rally wheel below a traditional red, white and blue Chevrolet horn button. At the sides of the driver, factory door panels, which are probably one of the most balanced and impressive interior design elements to ever breach the door of a GM design studio, ride behind great looking billet door handles and window cranks. And behind the driver, a custom package tray, which contains attractive silver faced speakers, hangs over a fully restored trunk that is inhabited by custom cut carpet mats and an Optima gel cell battery.

This sweet ‘67 Nova pro-tourer takes ‘clean’ to a whole new level and is certain to be the star of the show anywhere you go! It’s a spectacular build which features custom comfort and a modern drivetrain that’s ready to hit the road for Friday night cruises, Saturday morning poker runs or Sunday afternoon shows. If you’re looking for a car that has serious performance to back up its killer good looks, this Chevy II belongs in your driveway!