Yenko SC Tribute Car/396ci L73 V8/Torque Thrust Wheels/Tremec 5-Speed

1971 Chevrolet Nova

The Chevrolet Nova got a new promotional bent that echoed Volkswagen's approach in pitching the Beetle's lack of change as a virtue. Instead of focusing on any alterations, the Nova's sales brochure explained that, "we've been building essentially the same car since 1968. We think we've got it down pat." These were the years of the first energy crisis as Middle Eastern countries cut back on oil exports. After waiting for hours in gas lines and fretting about the prospect of fuel rationing, thrifty compacts looked pretty good to plenty of Americans. The Nova fit the bill.

For consignment, a consigner stated all original sheet metal Arizona car, (except hood,) now with a fresh 396ci big block engine. Menacing black paint with some white stripes, nice chrome and a very original interior, it's looking good and ready to go by just turning the key.

Exterior
With a horizontal shiny ribbed grille sans any badging and a single flanking headlight on either corner, and shiny bumper below, this is the leadoff for this machine. Some white striping and a triangle with sYc emblazoned on it harkening to the Yenko SC built in beautiful downtown Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. A white side stripe also adorns this car along with more Yenko badging in black knockout type on the rear quarter. Nice shiny trimmings for the glass surrounds and side view mirrors. On the hood is a bit of bubbling of the top coating, however the car retains a good shine and overall paint is good. This car's panels, which have decently minded gaps with only one dent on the passenger's side of the roof, looking black and beautiful. Just the small aforementioned faults within the paint as well as some issues just below the bottom of the gracefully swooping downward rear glass. The back of the car keeps it simple with a single horizontal taillight on either side and another shiny bumper below.15-inch Torque thrust wheels are on all 4 corners and wrapped by 235/60R15's raised white letter tires all around.

Interior
Racy would best describe the interior with original door panels in black vinyl and a strip of wood appliqué just below the sills. Turning our attention to the passenger compartment we see black vinyl high back bucket seats in front complete with sYc stickers on the headrests, and a bench in the back. In the center garnishing the hump is a long shift lever reaching for the driver with a white ball on top. Black carpeting is flooding the floors and looking good in fade free condition. Up to the dash and it is GM simplicity with just a speedo and gas gauge, and a column mounted tachometer. Temp sliders are on to the right of the original GM steering wheel, with a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo inserted where the original radio was. Below this are a trio of aftermarket gauges hanging from the bottom of the dash. Above is a nice tight black headliner in textured vinyl

Drivetrain
Underneath the nicely restored hood with new insulation, is some automotive bling in the form of a 396ci V8. Consigner states this mill sports new cast iron heads and comp roller rockers. On top is a single 4-barrel Holley carburetor and on back a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission which pushes power to a 10-bolt rear. 2 new high output electric fans keep this baby cool.

Undercarriage
All nicely restored with no rust and just clean coating everything and black paint. A nice shiny like new Borla exhaust in dual format snakes its way rearward from the engine. Disc brakes are now upfront, and drums for the rear.

Drive-Ability
I slipped behind the wheel, settled into the sYc racy black bucket seats and with a twist of the key I was off to the test track. Here I noticed not only that the transmission had a tendency to pop out of first gear but also a pronounced bottom end knock in the engine between 2500-3500rpm. After hearing the noise, I cut my drive short. However, our consignor has taken the car out our our Hallowed Halls to have a rebuild performed on the engine. Handling was fine and braking was adequate. The horn, and reverse lights are nonfunctioning, and the A/C is blowing warm.

A nice Nova circa 1971 with fine paint, a few faults, good interior, but in need of some engine repair. A good example of a tribute to the Yenko SC Nova's of yore.

VIN DECODE
114271W122400
1-Chevrolet
14-Nova V8
27-2 Door Pillared Coupe
1-1971
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
122400-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 71 11427-1971 Nova Hardtop
BDY WRN031540
TR 753-Black Vinyl Custom Bench
PNT 49-Antique Green
09B-2nd Week September Build