When we first found out about Chad Weeden's '66 Nova, we knew it had to hit the cover of Super Chevy. "It's the overall package," Chad tells us that makes his Chevy II so unique. We couldn't agree more. In fact, it's probably the most visually stimulating '66 we've had in quite a while.
Chad's '66 was his daily driver all through high school and well into his career. Due to an unfortunate accident involving Chad backing into his Nova with his pickup, the car was in need of some serious cosmetic restoration. This seemed like a great opportunity to give the exterior freshening up, along with a few of the mechanicals. As one thing led to another the new paint job turned into a new motor which turned into a complete full-blown restoration.
In 1999 during the completion of the paint, the project took on a life of its own. The back half and front clip were dropped while the interior was simultaneously stripped down to a bare steel shell. The rear end was outfitted with a 10-bolt rearend suspended with Air Ride Technologies bags and a four-link from Chassisworks. Up front, a complete front clip was installed with matching bags and Willwood stopping power. To aid in the '66's cornering, a set of Billet Specialties 17-inch rollers wrapped with BFG meat made their way to all four corners. With a g-machine stance the only acceptable method of power was a high revving punched out 283 SB. Different to say the least, the 301-incher was topped with DFI and a way cool set of velocity stacks with power transferring through a Muncie four-speed tranny.
According to Chad, the real beauty of his Nova is the wicked sound system, which as is so happens is his bread and butter as he makes his living in the automotive stereo business. Chad's Chevy is packed with more amps, speakers, TV's and cool gadgets than most of us have in our houses. In fact, on the SUPER CHEVY photo shoot were constantly distracted by the built in Xbox gaming system while trying to shoot the cover, thanks Chad!
All kidding aside, Chad has built a 6-year dream from a high school daily beater. What was once a stock '66 Nova became a fully featured show machine with enough power to roast the hides for two city blocks while simultaneously playing video games and listening to Eric Clapton at ear deafening levels. While Chad claims that he'll never be done with his lil' project we're 99-percent sure that another Nova in his future, maybe a bumpin' wagon perhaps?
TECH SPECS
Owner
Chad Weeden
Vehicle
'66 Nova
Engine
301-inch SB, Brodix aluminum heads, GM steel crankshaft, steel I-beam rods, Federal Mogul flat-top pistons, Crower hydraulic roller camshaft, Mc Kay intake manifold, System Dynamic fuel injection, MSD 6AL ignition, Hooker headers, dual 3-inch exhaust
Transmission
M21 four-speed, Centerforce clutch
Interior
Modified Nova seats, leather seating surfaces, custom carpet kit, fiberglass molded console, Leon's Auto Upholstery, Hughson, CA(209/883-0621), ididit column
Exterior
Shaved door handles, exhaust routed through rocker panel, marble interior and engine bay, DuPont custom orange mix, paint and body by Paul Stoffers, Oakdale, CA (209/847-4344), graphics by Real Ralph Newmon/Danny Irby
Audio
5 Arc Audio amps, Arc Audio EQ, Arc Audio 10-inch subs x3, Rainbow dash, kick panel, door and trunk speakers, Eclipse head unit, Eclipse TVs x3, Xbox game system, wire by Stinger, SP 1000 batteries x4, installation by California Auto Stereo
Suspension
Alston's
(F) Tubular A-arms, 2-inch dropped spindles, Wilwood 14-inch disc brakes
(R) GM 10-bolt, 3.55 Posi differential, Air Ride bags, Alston's four-link
Tires
BFGoodrich Euro Tread
(F) 205/40/17
(R) 225/40/17
Wheels
Billet Specialties Talladega
(F) & (R) 17x7