The Beginning

Two years. That's how long I searched for the right project car.

Like most people bitten by the classic car bug, I started where everyone starts—scrolling through listings for 60s Mustangs. They're everywhere. Parts are easy to find. The community is massive. It made sense.

But then my buddy Glenn—I call him my classic car consigliere—dropped some wisdom on me.

"Have you looked at Novas?"

I hadn't. Not seriously, anyway. I always thought Novas looked badass, but in that understated "I take this car to church on Sunday" kind of way. Not flashy. Just right.

Why Am I Even Writing This?

Honestly? I don't expect anyone to read this. And I really don't care if they do.

This journal is for my family. One of the most exciting parts of this whole thing is that I get to share it with my 16-year-old daughter Maya and my 13-year-old son Luke. They're along for the ride—literally and figuratively.

And my wife Shai? Surprisingly supportive. I think she secretly loves everything old. I say that because she loves me.

The Goal

Let me be clear about what I'm trying to do here.

I wanted to find a classic car with a clean, rust-free, straight body. That was non-negotiable. But I'm not going for a full concours restoration. I'm not trying to win shows or impress purists.

I want to make this car mine.

I want to modernize it to my liking. I want to learn along the way. I want to teach Maya and Luke what I learn. And I want to be creative about it.

I'm also going to track every dollar I spend. Mostly to publicly shame myself. I'm no pro at this, and I know I'll pay for my lack of knowledge. Might as well be honest about it.

The Purchase

So here we are. My build starts at $23,000.

Sounds like a lot. Sounds like a deal. It's somewhere in between.

Let me tell you what I got.

What Came With the Car

The previous owner, Travis, had already started down this path. The car came with:

• Small block V8 — Motor is strong
• Disc brakes up front
• Coil-overs up front
• Power seats — Look like they came from a newer Camaro

Not a bad starting point.

What Needs Work

Here's where it gets real:

• She stalls at stop lights (vacuum issue, I think)
• Speedometer reads 90 when she's doing 50 (output gear?)
• No tachometer reading
• No temp gauge reading
• No oil pressure reading
• E-brake won't disengage (need a new handle)
• Gearbox fights going into reverse

What I Need to Install

The to-do list is long:

• New 5-speed transmission (gonna need help with this one)
• Power brakes
• Power steering
• New ignition keys
• Window handles, interior door handles, door locks
• New mirrors
• Custom fuse panel with relays and toggle switches

That last one excites me the most. Old school toggles. There's something about them.

The Rabbit Hole

I can already see it happening. The temptation to strip this thing down to the frame and really get myself in trouble.

I've got a solid crew of buddies who will hopefully talk me off the ledge when I need it. But I'm going to document everything—the wins and the mistakes.

Especially the mistakes.

For Maya and Luke

If there's one thing I hope my kids take away from this project, it's this:

You learn from your mistakes. You enjoy your successes.

That's it. That's the whole lesson.

Bringing Her Home

I bought the Nova from a super cool dude named Travis. He met me halfway and towed the car to the meeting point, which was huge—that PowerGlide transmission is a little sketchy on the freeway.

But I got her home. She made 55 miles without drama. The suspension is solid. The motor pulls strong.

Travis was well on his way with this build. Now it's my turn.

Chapter 1 of the Nova Build. December 2024. California.