1966 Chevy Nova Build - Project Getaway

When you tear down the quarter-mile at nearly 200 mph on a motorcycle for a living, you need a way to blow off some steam. For Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle racer for the Screamin' Eagle-sponsored Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team, his own version of the getaway vehicle is the '66 Nova you see being built here.

Currently 31 years old, as a youngster Eddie was a frequent spectator at the dragstrip watching his father Eddie Sr. run in the Super Pro bracket. Living near Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, also instilled racing into Eddie's blood as he rode his bicycle there just to watch events. One day Eddie was hanging around when he was approached by then track manager Jimmy Napp, who asked if he would like to fill in working the water box at the strip. Ever since then, Eddie has been an employee of Raceway Park, rising to the title of track manager of daily operations in 2001.

Photo by Matt Polito

When Eddie was 15, he purchased a '79 Camaro. With the help of his father, he worked on the car for two years. Once he was able to legally drive, Eddie recorded a 12.9-second pass in only his second time down the quarter-mile. Having been bitten by the "never satisfied bug," Eddie had a rollcage installed during the winter months, among other modifications, ultimately turning the Camaro into a 9-second performer. While this was pleasing and extremely satisfying, the daily driveability of the Camaro had diminished in a big way.

Eddie ended up selling the Camaro, and then he went for some two-wheel fun with a streetbike. Knowing that he wanted to race, Eddie had engaged in conversation with six-time NHRA motorcycle champion Dave Schultz. After about a half hour or so, Eddie was determined to make it as a professional motorcycle racer. Coincidentally, Eddie later purchased a motorcycle from Dave for NHRA competition in 2003. While Eddie had much success on the AMA Prostar tour, netting nine wins in 23 final rounds, he had consistently been on the outside of the bubble looking in when participating independently in the NHRA Powerade Series.

Here the deuce sits as pulled from the airplane hangar in Englishtown. It appears this was a show cruiser back in the day, with moon caps, custom seats, and "Help me Rhonda" painted on the quarters.

Here the deuce sits as pulled from the airplane hangar in Englishtown. It appears this was

In early 2007, a position opened up for a rider of the second bike of the Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson NHRA Team next to now three-time Powerade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines. Eddie got a tryout, and his dream came true-he made the cut. In his rookie season, he had two runner-up finishes and multiple round wins; his goal for 2008 is to improve on this. To date, Eddie has gone down the 1320 in as fast as 6.94 at 192 mph.

Needing to get away from all the craziness, Eddie wanted to return to his roots and build another Bow Tie- this time tying together streetabil-ity with huge amounts of unleashable fury. Vinnie and Alex Napp of Raceway Park had purchased a '66 Nova to be built as a father-son project back in 1995. After Vinnie died, the car lay dormant in an airplane hangar in Englishtown. After a brief discussion with Alex, Eddie obtained the Deuce for a mere $5,000, not bad considering that's what the Napps paid 13 years ago. Obviously, the car had lost its "mint condition" status by enduring the weather in New Jersey, but all in all it wasn't too bad. The '66 contained the front face from a '67, a straight-six powerplant, Powerglide transmission, and 10-bolt rear. All will be stripped and redone to Eddie's liking in order to create his dream car.

Well, that didn't last too long. Eddie and Bobby had already torn off the hood, fenders, grille, and headlamps, dropped the Powerglide transmission out, and began to pull the straight-six.

Well, that didn't last too long. Eddie and Bobby had already torn off the hood, fenders, g

For Project Getaway, Eddie wanted to combine a little of everything into his ride with a mix of g-Machine and the ability to hit either the dragstrip, road course, or Main Street USA. Prebuild thoughts included a lowered stance with 20-inch wheels out back and 19-inchers up front, a custom 9-inch rear housing, and an aftermarket subframe and custom backhalf with a twin turbo powerplant backed by an overdrive transmission.

To get started, Eddie called upon Bobby Carroll of Carroll's Rod and Racecraft in Spotswood, New Jersey. Bobby, as fate would have it, is a former employee of Raceway Park. He's also up and coming big time in the chassis fabrication world, having merged with well-known Outlaw guru Leo Barnaby of Neverlift Racecraft. Carroll's has recently moved into a new facility boasting 7,800 square feet of space, as well as the addition of a new water jet machine for custom fabrication purposes. Bobby was more than generous in helping with Project Getaway.

After having a sitdown with Eddie and Bobby, we decided to give Chris Alston of Chris Alston's Chassisworks in Sacramento, California, a call. Chassisworks is a multimillion dollar operation consisting of all the latest and greatest in fabrication techniques and equipment. Chassisworks also has most components in stock ready to ship. Chassisworks has been praised by many in the past for its NoFab Nova II components-all components are bolt in, allowing you to get behind the wheel faster than you think. Chris Alston houses a wealth of information whether you're building a cruiser or an all-out missile. With Chris Alston's background in fabrication and racing, the sky's the limit.

Let's start tearing into the box!

Once the drivetrain was removed, Eddie and Bobby unbolted the subframe from the deuce and rolled it away from the cockpit. The old unit will be replaced with a Chassisworks Direct-Fit g-Machine subframe, which is a total bolt-in unit.
Once the drivetrain was removed, Eddie and Bobby unbolted the subframe from the deuce and
Getaway was then put back up on the lift to remove the 10-bolt rear, fuel tank, and brake lines.
Getaway was then put back up on the lift to remove the 10-bolt rear, fuel tank, and brake
Eddie proceeded by stripping the interior of its gauges and all creature comforts.

After completely stripping the Nova, it was mounted to the rotisserie in order to be blasted with some baking soda. Did that sound right?
After completely stripping the Nova, it was mounted to the rotisserie in order to be blast
Once mounted to the rotisserie, the Nova was transported to Raceway Park (where else?), where there's plenty of space for the unibody to be taken down to its birthday suit (bare metal).
Once mounted to the rotisserie, the Nova was transported to Raceway Park (where else?), wh
Eddie called upon Beau Gurlavich of The Blast in Trenton, N.J., to perform the blasting duties.
Eddie called upon Beau Gurlavich of The Blast in Trenton, N.J., to perform the blasting du

Not only is baking soda environmentally safe, it's also less abrasive than most media, allowing the metal to retain its current form without any harmful distortion or pitting.
Not only is baking soda environmentally safe, it's also less abrasive than most media, all
The Blast has a mobile rig that can come to you-how's that for convenience?
It was like Christmas morning at Carroll's Rod and Racecraft when the Chris Alston's Chassisworks components arrived. All the pieces were neatly packaged in a more than secure fashion.
It was like Christmas morning at Carroll's Rod and Racecraft when the Chris Alston's Chass

Each box is properly labeled, indicating the part numbers as well as a brief description of the part. The majority of orders are shipped by Chassisworks within 24 hours to get you going on your project rather than sitting around and waiting.
Each box is properly labeled, indicating the part numbers as well as a brief description o
Showcasing a couple of the components to be installed is the Chassisworks g-Machine power rack-and-pinion, along with the g-Machine A-arms. The g-Machine rack provides responsiveness and excellent feedback to the driver. The rack body, control servo, and hard lines are all constructed of steel to improve durability and performance.
Showcasing a couple of the components to be installed is the Chassisworks g-Machine power
The g-Machine A-arms feature a large-diameter tubular cross-brace design and TIG-welded mild steel contruction. They allow the use of both the VariShock coilover or ShockWave air suspension.
The g-Machine A-arms feature a large-diameter tubular cross-brace design and TIG-welded mi

Eddie and Bobby wasted no time; the subframe was set up atop three jackstands and readied to be outfitted with all the necessary hardware provided. All Chassisworks components are direct-fit for the '62-67 Chevy II Nova subframe.
Eddie and Bobby wasted no time; the subframe was set up atop three jackstands and readied
Beyond installing the g-Machine A-arms, the g-Machine spindles were also attached. These particular spindles are taller than their OEM counterparts, increasing camber gain during body roll. This helps keep your tires planted for maximum traction.
Beyond installing the g-Machine A-arms, the g-Machine spindles were also attached. These p
Once the subframe was completely mocked together, it was time to mate it to the Nova.

Also obtainable through Chassisworks is this shock simulator, which sets the vehicle at a 12-inch ride height. This is key when performing measurements, especially in a project of this magnitude-every measurement is crucial.
Also obtainable through Chassisworks is this shock simulator, which sets the vehicle at a
Eddie and Bobby merely put a jack under the crossmember and wheeled it up to the firewall for installation.
Eddie and Bobby merely put a jack under the crossmember and wheeled it up to the firewall
Here Eddie finishes up by installing highclearance forward struts. These units feature mandrel bends that assist in routing the tubes tightly along the inner fenderwell, creating additional room for clearance around the engine, headers, and whatever other modifications you have planned.
Here Eddie finishes up by installing highclearance forward struts. These units feature man

Here's a view from the top showing the heavy-duty construction of the bulkhead where the A-arm attaches, as well as the zinc-plated adjuster hardware. The brake rotors are of the 14-inch Wilwood variety and feature directional vaning, slotting, and cross-drilling.
Here's a view from the top showing the heavy-duty construction of the bulkhead where the A
The Chassisworks billet aluminum hubs and hats reduce unnecessary weight and allow easy replacement of a worn component. We will install the Wilwood six-piston calipers at a later date as well as complete Wilwood stoppers out back. The deuce will roll on custom Intro wheels wrapped in Nitto rubber.
The Chassisworks billet aluminum hubs and hats reduce unnecessary weight and allow easy re
Now that the subframe is completely mocked up on the deuce, the entire car will be properly fitted to a jig before any further work is performed. This will ensure the car stays true and deters any sort of body flex, especially when cutting the floor to install the Chris Alston's Chassisworks rear frame and Fab 9 rear.
Now that the subframe is completely mocked up on the deuce, the entire car will be properl

SOURCES
Carroll's Rod and Racecraft 7-32/-416-9887 www.carrollsrodandrace.com	Nitto Tire Dept. MM&FF 6261 Katella Ave. Cypress CA 90630
Chris Alston's Chassisworks 8861 Younger Creek Dr. Sacramento CA 95828 8-00/-722-2269	The Blast
Intro Wheels 8-00/-45I-NTRO 8-00/-454-6876 www.introwheels.com	WILWOOD ENGINEERING 4700 Calle Bolero, Dept. SC Camarillo, CA 93012