Featured Car
Mike & Karen Kingery
1971 Chevy Nova
The car came from Wisconsin. I found it on HotRodHotline and negotiated a trade deal for my 40 Ford coupe with the cars owner. He was the original builder. I met him in Illinois at a spot halfway for both of us. Danny Gelhausen and I made the trip and after driving each others cars we decided to make the deal. I liked my coupe BUT I wanted to get back into my kind of car.........mean and nasty! When we returned from Illinois I went directly to the Mentor-on-the Lake Labor Day car show. That was in 2002 and was the official unveiling to the local cruisers. I won Best of Class at the show.

After driving it for 4 years, it began to show some paint and body issues. My first thoughts were to sell it or trade it for something else. I liked the car so I began thinking about a restoration and decided to go that route. I delivered the car to the painter the end of Sept. 2006 and got it back completed on July 24, 2007. The paint was done by Richmond Auto Body and Customizing. The colors we choose were a Cadillac Pearl white bottom and Candy Tangerine top with some nice Graphics added which are painted chrome with live fire in red background. The Inner fenders are painted in white and we added some graphics on the firewall. In keeping with the smooth sides on the 71, it has shaved door handles with elec. Poppers and filled rain gutters.

In keeping with the Mean & Nasty type of car, I choose to have the Motor work done by Racing Engines by Michaels, Mike Schiberl Racing and Davis Race Cars. The 509 cubic inch Chevy Big Block sports a very functional 871 blower topped off with twin 750 cfm. Holley's. This produces 875 Horse Power which is controlled by a Competition powerglide with trans brake and line lock. From there the power goes to a 9" Ford rear end with 350 street gears and 31 spline Moser axels. There is Much chrome in engine compartment topped off with a Shotgun Bill scoop
Some of the items of interest on the car are 4 link with coil overs, 4 wheel disc brakes and Moser wheelie bars. Foe ease of driving it has power steering. The Interior was done by Interiors by Dave and he used Camel leather. It also has a Complete gauge package with big face tach, speedometer and shift light. For safety it also has a complete roll cage

There were some issues with the restoration. The painter was late getting the painting done. The upholsterer damaged the paint by clamping a light on the roof and there were two pieces of chrome that were lost somewhere between the painter and the chrome polisher. I guess those things happen but I know my frustration levels were sky high. I WILL NEVER DO A COMPLETE RESTORATION AGAIN!! Too much for my old brain to do again.
I am happy the way the car turned out and I know it will give me more years of cruising good times. I am contemplating taking the car to Florida this winter to cruise there. There are not many Pro Street cars there and I know it would be a big hit.

I really need to say thanks to my wife, Karen, who put up with me during the months of restoration and was a voice of reason many times when I was angry and upset. Thankfully, she knew when to say something and when it was best to just be quiet. After nearly 44 years you kinda learn those things.