Pro-Touring '69 Nova

[LOBBS]

I know alot of guys are looking to put an LSX motor in these things so here's the combo I came up with for a good LSX crate motor.

<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh211/lobbs611/69%20NOVA/IMG_4465.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh211/lobbs611/69%20NOVA/IMG_4467.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

I started with the LS motor/T-56 tranny from the Revell Camaro SS/Firebird then added the top end and front engine cover from the Revell '01 Z06 Vette. I didn't see any interfence fit problems with the Camaro/Firebird set-up but I liked the look of the accessories on the Vette cover better. The oil pan on the Vettes and Camaros is way too shallow in my opinion so I stole one from the '99 Silverado. It's nearly identical in depth and pickup location as the '69 Nova pan. I also had to bring the oil filter and starter over from the truck kit. The Vortecs and LS motors are all basically the same architecturally so it's a reasonable swap.

It's way too late to risk the compressor coming on and waking up the wife and kids so I'm hoping to get this all in aluminum tomorrow.

Here's a hint at the body color on the smoothed engine covers. MM Dark Bronze under Tamiya Clear Orange (thanks gowjobs I told ya I'd find a use for it someday). I've got to wait and do a final color match to the body before I can clear and polish these out.

<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh211/lobbs611/69%20NOVA/IMG_4469.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Now, if I can finally get the clear undercoat off the replacement grill Revell sent me (I swear they laid down the clear with a trowel), I can get the body in primer this weekend.

Edited June 14, 2010 by LOBBS

[Nick F40]

Now THIS i'll be watching as I am into the Pro Touring thing, my favorite muscle car thing. Looks like a goodin!

[Len Geisler]

Lobbs,

Looking fine, I am planning a drag verion of the Nova with an LS-X for power, so seeing what you've done here is a big help. Keep pluggin away, and keep us posted.....

And welcome back!!!!!!

Edited August 18, 2008 by Len Geisler

[ajulia]

Hello there friend! Ya got some business goin on there fella!! Will watch this one til the end!! Please post away and keep on wit the keepin on!!

peace

ajulia

[LOBBS]

Work has been insane lately so I'm just now getting the Nova in primer. The body has been given a full shave and haircut. The emblems, fender louvers, fender turn signals and vent windows in the doors are gone. I also filled in the door handle dimples and the door/trunk locks. I love how primer always makes every little defect pop so I'll have some clean up to do before she gets some color.

I also decided on the wheel/tire combo. They're gonna be modified MPC Motorsports Chevy Ralleyes that I've been holding onto these for years waiting for the right project. They fit the tires in the Revell California Wheels series. I'll be stealing the kit's center caps and trimming down the back halves of the California Wheels '69 Vette wheels to use as the beauty rings.

[LOBBS]

Alright, I need an opinion. I'm up in the air about the interior color. I'm torn between Tamiya German Gray and Tamiya Desert Sand w/ Flat Earth inserts in the seats.

Here is Dave McGowan's Silverado which inspired the color choice for the Nova.

I've seen cars in a similiar color with either tan or gray interiors and both look equally good.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Kyle,

If you are going to really detail the interior, do it in tan as light colors show your detail better than dark colors.

Marc

[LVZ2881]

I'd go with tan, it would compliment the orange better..

[mikelo]

I agree with the tan. Looking good so far.

Mike

[novadose71]

You betcha, Tan.

[LOBBS]

This is just a quick heads-up for the LSx transfitters. The T-56 in the Revell Camaro SS/Firebird is huge compared to the 4-speed in the kit and takes quite a bit of fitting to get the engine/tranny to sit level. You can keep the stock crossmember is you completely remove the round mounting nub. I ended up sanding away about half the thickness off the underside of the tranny tunnel and taking a little off the profile where the bellhousing butts up against the tranny tunnel. From there, it's a matter of filing away on the top side of the tranny aft of the bellhousing until the engine sits down on the engine mounts without picking up the floorboards. I tried to get some pictures but the changes were slight and hard to photograph.

Hope this helps

[MikeMc]

Either a black and tan , or Tutone Tan...dark inserts and carpet......simple but sweet

[novadose71]

OOOoooooh, black and tan sounds good too.

[RadRidesByDan]

Alright, I need an opinion. I'm up in the air about the interior color. I'm torn between Tamiya German Gray and Tamiya Desert Sand w/ Flat Earth inserts in the seats.

Here is Dave McGowan's Silverado which inspired the color choice for the Nova.

I've seen cars in a similiar color with either tan or gray interiors and both look equally good.

######....At a kwik look i thought I was seein' my truck....Excellent work on your truck Dave

here's mine....

Just to let you know I did mine with 2 tone tan and it looks sharp....the Aircraft cockpit black and Med charcoal or carbon fiber looks really sharp as well.....hope this helps

Edited August 28, 2008 by RadRidesByDan

[george 53]

######, Dan, I really like your outside shots! They make the cars look so real! Look like a nice neighborhood too! I think BOTH trucks look great in that color, and it also looks like great minds DO think alike!

[RadRidesByDan]

Yep, Daves truck is really well built and finished.

Thanks for the comments on my photography. .......Its called, the put the camera on a stand cause my hands shake too much close up shot that sets the real live size illusion.

thanks George

[plastikfreek]

Ok guys..........I can't get enough of these '69 Nova builds.....I need more pictures!!!!!!!!!!!! ...................Your build is looking pretty sweet.............Can't wait for some more updates.

[LOBBS]

Made some good progress on the Nova this weekend.

I got the color on and then proceeding to screw it up

<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh211/lobbs611/69%20NOVA/IMG_4569.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

A little more orange peel than I would have liked but the orange clear started spitting on my last pass.

She had been sitting on the stand for about half an hour, normally that's long enough for things to harden up enough to move it over to the dehydrator. Of course, I picked her up by the back wheel wells and proceeded to put a couple of finger prints in the paint job. She'll probably be taking a bath and I'll get to do it all over again.

I also got the interior painted and ready to detail. I went with Tamiya light sand with Testors Light Tan for the carpet and inserts on the seats.

<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh211/lobbs611/69%20NOVA/IMG_4570.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

I'll probably jump to another project for awhile because it'll be couple of weeks before I can make it to the hobby shop that carries Tamiya paints (I only get to go when my wife has a Dr.'s appt. that puts us on that end of town).

Edited June 14, 2010 by LOBBS

[ajulia]

Hello there friend! I have to say the progress is comin along and the body is nuttin to worry jus a little hurdle to get this beast back in action Im also diggin the two=tone very nice and the color choice if remains will pop right at cha!!! Keep on with the keepin on!!

peace

ajulia

[LOBBS]

Ok, finally got back to the hobby shop and got the color re-shot over the weekend. I'll give her a few nights in the dehydrator and then she'll get cleared and polished. I've still got to get the black-out treatment on the grill and taillight panel area also.

Sorry about the mess, my true-white lamp was really screwing up the true color so I took some shots on the bench.

Edited September 30, 2008 by LOBBS

[LOBBS]

Had to go way back to find my original thread. Looking back I'm glad I screwed up the original paint job 'cause the second time around looked so much better.

Anyways, I've got the itch to build again. I got a different vibe from her when I put her back on the bench so the tan interior is gone now and repainted Tamiya flat black which I'll get some pics of once the foil work is done.

This is what's kept me busy the last couple of nights, fabbing up a set of DSE-style subframe connectors. I'm sure I did it the hard way but the channels for the rails were done by hand with a needle file and the scale 2x3s are a nice snap fit to the floorboard. They should "weld up" nicely with some Ambroid. I've still gotta make the caps where they connect to the subframes but the major work is done.

Edited May 27, 2009 by LOBBS

[71datsun1200]

please keep me updated on this project. i'm a huge fan of novas and even a bigger fan of the pro-touring movement.

i just posted my 76 nova kinda of a pro-touring build.i have a 69 nova coming up soon to. i just started building again to.

[gilsdropshop1]

awsome ride! keep pics coming looking sweeeeeeeet.

[vizio93]

been watchin' this build for a little while and i gotta say that it looks great ! can't wait to see how it turns out

[LOBBS]

Finally got the subframe connectors for the Nova done. I'm sure I'll have a little clean-up/gap filling once I lay down some primer but I'm happy with them as my first effort.