All shiny and new

The Chevy Nova just made it back from the paint booth. The finish looks great, and the car is ready to take on the new parts. While this update does not show any technical how-to information, it does at least showcase the package that we are using.

Killer cowl hood

The cowl hood looks great from any angle, but from the side you can truly get an appreciation of just how monstrous it looks. It should provide ample room for any intake system the car has installed. Maybe there is enough room under the hood for a roots type blower, hmmm.

Aggressive looks

The car has a really aggressive look to it. The gray, while being a subdued color, really seems to stand out because of the mix of metallic in it. Just right in my book.

Looking mean

From the other side of the Nova, it looks just as mean. I am sure that it will look even better when all of the chrome gets put back on. This thing will sure look good cruising down the boulevard or running down the drag strip.

Hood brace

Since the hood latch bolts to the grill area that is not present, a bracket had to be formed. The little metal brace made of perforated steel strip can be seen in the radiator opening. It helps to keep the hood locked down in place while trailering the car to the paint booth.

Front end

Not much to say about this picture. Just another look at the styling and paint on this front end. As I have said before, Detroit just doesn't make cars like this anymore. That's a shame.

Interior

The interior of the car got paint where it needed it, namely the dash and all visible metal parts. The floorboard kept its black rust resistant coating, and will eventually be covered with sound dampening mat.

Front end

Another look at that front end. Like I said, not much to say about it because the pictures sort of speak for themselves.

Front clip

Look closely next to where the right headlamp should be. See those little indents in the fender. That is pure musclecar styling. Those little extra bits of bends and folds in the metal that ultimately create looks like this.

Dash and interior

Another view of the interior shows how spartan it is inside at the moment. That space under the cowl seems like a good place to put some gauges for the nitrous pressure, and such. It can be viewed quite clearly from a driver position, so that may be an option as the car progresses.

Rear end

The rear of the car looks great in its new paint too. Missing though is the looks it will have with wider tires on it. Soon enough there will be some larger rubber hiding under the back of this beauty.

Engine compartment

The inside of the engine compartment received paint as well. The finish looks just as good as the rest of the car, and it will make a suitable home for the new engine.

Engine compartment

Everything under the hood got a good coat. There will be lots of chrome on the new engine, so it should proved a nice contrast and make for one good looking engine installation.

Engine compartment

With the new hood, there was considerably less weight on the hood hinge springs. We are trying different springs to get the right balance and are using trampoline springs in this photo. It is almost enough to hold up the hood on its own, but we will ultimately have to find some springs with just a bit more pull to them.

The trunk

All exposed metal in the trunk received a good coat of paint as well. Once again, the floor didn't get paint as there will be the coating on it, followed be sound mat and trunk liner. The wheel wells should be getting mini tubbed soon. Although it would have been preferable to mini tub first, the schedule for paint had to be kept. This just means that extra care will have to be taken when tubbing out the back.

In the sun

This picture gives a little better idea of how the paint reacts in the sun. As you can see, the metallic pics up the light and gives a nice depth.

Reflections

The paint is nice and smooth and you can get good straight reflections out of it. The extra time spent on prep before painting was worth it.

Reflections in the hood

This is looking down on the hood and viewing the reflections of the sky. The clouds were very splotchy on the day this picture was taken, and they are clearly visible reflecting off of the paint. You can just make out the roof of the building in there as well, to the right of the picture just under the cowl. Very nice paint job overall.

Like I said, not really any technical stuff of this update, just a look at the paint. It is a good start on the car, and we look forward to having you watch the build as it progresses. Remember to bookmark our site, and please visit the donation page to find out how to help support the site so that we can continue to bring you updates in the future.

Russ W. Moore
and
John Valetta

Bad Brothers Racing

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