1966 Nova

[roadhawg]

I've had a couple of guys ask me about the model in my avatar, so I figured I might as well post it. I haven't before because its an older build....about 7 years old, but it STILL gets displayed quite often....I'll explain.

Back in 1999, my father-in-law bought a well worn 1:1 scale '66 Nova, and since I had an automotive background, he asked if I would help build it with him. It took us 2 years, working part time, but we ended up with a pretty cool little car. EVERYTHING...including the interior and paint, was done by my father-in-law and myself. After the car was finished, he asked if I could build a model of it, which he could display with the real one at car shows.

He still owns the Nova, and still goes to car shows and cruise ins....where the model still gets displayed, including his yearly trip to Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

The model is built from the AMT kit. The first thing I had to do was convert it to a standard Nova, since the kit is an SS. I rounded up a front bench seat from the parts box. The seats were scribed with the correct pattern and I scratchbuilt the Hurst automatic shifter. The rear speakers are a pair of old chrome headlights from the parts box painted black.

I opened up the doors and trunk, and grafted a Z-28 cowl induction scoop to the Nova hood. Paint is the same PPG '90 Camaro Teal base coat/clear coat that's used on the real car. The rocker panel molding and door sill plates are cut from an aluminum Coke can. The grille is a MCG photoetch piece. Wheels are from a Revell '67 Chevelle, and tires are from the parts box.

My mother-in-law made a spare tire cover with a flame pattern for the real one, so I made one just like it for the model...from a paper towel dipped in diluted white glue, then painted.

The only regret I have on this one is the foil....it was the first time I had used Detail Master foil, and figured it was the same as Bare Metal brand. Boy, did I learn MY lesson! From that point on, if I don't have REAL BMF, I'll just paint the trim with a brush....it would look better!

Like I said, this one was built about 7 years ago, and I'm not sure that my building and painting skills have gotten any better, but I'm still pleased with the way this one came out. Now, I'll quit rambling on.....Thanks for lookin'!

trunk

[Jeff Johnston]

Tommy... that is one spectacular build !!!!

[george 53]

Looks REAL good Tommy, you dun yer F-I-L right!

[vizio93]

nice job man. i think i have seen the 1:1 at pigeon, forge before . Anyway, you did a good job recreating it.

[RatRod]

That is awesome Tommy!!! Both are done nicely, and yep your a talented gent....

[Janne Herajärvi]

Very cool 66 Novas! Both the real and model looks great! Sure you didnt have problems of reference material

[Jantrix]

Fantastic work. Great replica.

[crazyjim]

Both look fantastic! How did manage the Zolotone in the trunk?

[roadhawg]

Thanks so much everybody for the kind words.

Both look fantastic! How did manage the Zolotone in the trunk?

Painted the grey, then dipped an old toothbrush in white acrylic paint and "flicked" it on with my thumb.

[Lownslow]

real nice

[locoengr]

Both are nothing short of SWEET! A1 all the way....

[Randy Kern]

Tommy, beautiful builds, real and model! The '66 and '67 Novas are my favorite body style, and your build is top-notch.

[kyledr330]

Outstanding job on this 1:1 project! I would love to see what you can do with models now.

[roadhawg]

Thanks again, y'all!

... I would love to see what you can do with models now.

By the way things have been going lately, I think I probably peaked back then! Lol!

[Guest]

I never tire of seeing this beautiful build! Gorgoeuse work Tommy.

[Pat Cardz]

I love learning the inspiration behind a great looking build.

Thanks for sharing!