His father’s influence continued throughout his high school years as Paul’s dad bought him this 1971 Nova as a roller for a mere $150. The deal was that his dad would help him build the car and allow him to drag race it on weekends as long as Paul kept his grades at a 3.5 GPA or above and also attend college after high school. Paul agreed and kept his side of the bargain.

Initially, Paul and his dad built the car with a healthy 350 backed by a Turbo 400 and 4.10 posi unit. Over the course of time the father and son team gradually built the car with more power where it eventually ended up with a 454ci mill between the ’rails that brought the Nova into the low 11-second zone. “By the late 1980s and into the early 1990s we would spend just about every weekend drag racing together—my dad in his big-block El Camino and me in the Nova,” Paul reminisces. “We didn’t have a lot of money back then—no trailer, no pit canopy, or other amenities—we drove our cars to the track with slicks and toolboxes in the trunk of our cars. Once there, we’d put the cars on jackstands, uncork the headers, and put on the slicks. Those were the best memories of my life, but by the mid 1990s the engine was tired and ready for a rebuild. I intended to park the car for a little while to start my career and get on with life. Months turned into years and years turned into decades. I finally got back on the car in May of 2022.”

A few years earlier, Paul’s dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, which became the trigger that motivated him to rebuild the Nova so he and his dad could enjoy the car again. This time around Paul wanted to take the Nova in a new direction as a potent Pro Touring street machine. Paul had a vision in mind for the car but he needed a reputable shop to bring his ideas to fruition. “I was referred to Jason Morey to take on the project, and once we met in person I knew he was the right guy for the build,” Paul confirms. “I also collaborated with Jason Rushforth to help fine-tune my ideas. Rushforth was also instrumental in the project by reaching out to his network of car guys to help in various areas of the build.”

Austin Riddle of Austin’s Autobody in Tacoma, Washington, bodyworked the sheetmetal back to perfection as time and years of racing took its toll on the vintage Chevy’s skin. He doused the Nova in LAU Chrysler Granite Metallic Gray along with the contrasting light gray and orange hood graphic designed by Rushforth.

Rushforth Night Train wheels with color-matched centers and polished outers create a brilliant look and continuity that fit the Nova’s overall theme. Continental ExtremeContact rubber provides excellent road-gripping performance, while Wilwood disc brakes reside on all four corners for excellent stopping performance. A Wilwood master cylinder, GM booster, and Wilwood proportioning valve create consistent pedal feel throughout the braking process.

With the car going through its share of small- and big-blocks early in its life, Paul stepped up the engine program with a Mast Motorsports Black Label LS7. The 427ci bullet features a 4.00-inch bore and 4.125-inch stroke and is stuffed with 11.4:1 Mahle pistons capped with Mast Motorsports aluminum heads. It’s topped with an MSD Atomic intake manifold and dressed up with Billet Specialties valve covers and a custom chrome intake tube fitted with a K&N element. A Vintage Air Front Runner system manages the accessories, while a Griffin aluminum radiator ensures optimal engine temperatures.

The rowdy beast makes 663 hp and exhales through a set of stainless Hooker Blackheart headers, a custom galvanized 3-inch exhaust fabricated by Scott Cochran of Cochran Garage Exhaust Shop, and MagnaFlow mufflers ensure the Nova breathes easy and sounds as fierce as it looks.

A TREMEC T56 Magnum transmission is backed up by a McLeod Racing twin-disc clutch while a Quick Performance rearend housing minds an Eaton Truetrac posi, 3.89 gears, and Quick Performance 35-spline axles—plenty of ammunition to handle anything the nasty Mast mill can dish out.

Up front, the stock chassis received several suspension upgrades, including a Ridetech TruTurn system featuring tubular Strong Arm control arms, RideTech HQ Series coilover shocks, and springs. A Borgeson quick-ratio steering box enhances cornering properties and offers excellent highway tracking. Out back, a Ridetech four-link system with Ridetech coilover shocks and springs ensures the Nova bites the asphalt while dodging autocross cones.

Inside, the stock dash was treated to Dakota Digital RTX gauges blending classic style with modern engine monitoring. TMI Products supplied the seats, door panels, and carpet, while the Ringbrothers door handles, shifter, and shifter boot ring contribute to the cohesive interior. Jason Morey handled the installation of the TMI center console then cloaked it in black suede and leather. A Simpson harness is anchored to a custom harness bar designed and installed by Rob Hancock from Flipside Customs in nearby Renton, Washington. The Billet Specialties steering wheel complemented by Lokar pedals, complete the stylish setup.

A Vintage Air HVAC system enables perfect climate control, while an Alpine head unit powers strategically placed speakers to create an articulate musical experience throughout the Nova’s cabin. A 12-inch subwoofer complements the system and delivers a deep, resonant bass.

Paul was pushing to get the car done before his father’s death but it wasn’t to be. With that said, he found comfort in showing him photos of the car’s progress through the build process while appreciating his opinion along the way. Paul knows his dad would be proud of how the Nova turned out, so he drives the car as intended and how his dad would expect: hard and fast just like they did back in the day racing side by side at the dragstrip—no frills with an overdose of adrenaline.

“My dad was an excellent mechanic. He was the neighborhood car guru who helped all the young local hot rodders with their rides when their cars had problems they couldn’t figure out. He was the main reason our neighborhood had the best-running cars in town. He never asked for money as he just loved wrenching and making people smile,” Paul remembers. “Today I’m the guy lending a hand to those in the neighborhood needing a little help with their hot rods. I’m a chip off the ol’ block, and I’m happy to take over where my dad left off.”

No doubt Paul’s dad would be proud—proud of the car he built and proud that he’s keeping the neighborhood hot rods in proper running order.

Bodywork and Paint: Austin Riddle (Austin’s Autobody, Tacoma WA)
Paint: Chrysler Metallic Gray
Hood: Auto Metal Direct 2-inch cowl
Grille: Auto Metal Direct
Front Bumper: Auto Metal Direct
Rear Bumper: Auto Metal Direct
Headlights: LED
Side Mirrors: Billet Rides