Article and photos by Larry Crain
This beautiful 1963 Chevrolet Nova owned by Gene Delcomyn of Brandon, Mississippi is an awesome example of the Pro-Touring style brought to show level. While most Pro-Touring style cars and trucks are built from day one as engineering marvels and feature beautiful craftsmanship, they mostly see the autocross or road course tracks, not the floors of indoor shows. I saw this one recently in a video Scottie D had done for ScottieDTV while at the Birmingham World of Wheels, and then I saw it again at the Wild Wheels Car Show in the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
This early Chevy Nova was initially rendered and designed by the talented Eric Brockmeyer then built by Palmetto Rod Workx. Gene’s Nova chassis is a combination of Heidts independent front suspension and a four link on the rear with an AccuAir Ride system determining ride height. A set of Coy wheels mounted with Riken tires give the car a traditional, but at the same time new look. Stopping power for this Pro-Touring machine comes from a complete Wilwood brake system with disc brakes on all four corners.
The Nova’s body has been given an updated look with all of the following being removed or shaved: door handles, trunk lock and all body badges. The front and rear bumpers have been smoothed, filled and then painted to match the lower body color. Slicking out the body did not stop with the exterior but continued into the engine compartment where the firewall has been smoothed along with new smooth inner fenders. The super straight body has been painted in the two-tone paint scheme of PPG Machine Silver Metallic over Atomic Orange Metallic.
The custom engine compartment features a GM Performance LS3 that is color matched to the body and runs a custom engine cover and air induction system built by Palmetto Rod Workx. The LS3 is equipped with a pair of Edelbrock heads with exhaust gasses routed into a custom exhaust system equipped with a pair of FlowMaster mufflers. The dressed out LS3 is paired up with a Tremec six speed transmission that kicks the power back to a Chevrolet 10 bolt rear end.
The interior of this Chevrolet is just as custom as the outside and showcases the talents of Noone Customs. A custom console runs from the dash between the leather covered front bucket seats and ends between the twin leather covered rear seats. The console is home for the power window controls, level controls for the AccuRide system, shifter for the Tremec transmission and a Lokar emergency brake. The original dash was filled, smoothed then painted the Atomic Orange Metallic and features a complete set of Stewart Warner gauges and controls for the Vintage Air a/c system. A painted Ididit tilt column is dressed out with a Billet Specialties steering wheel that is wrapped with interior matching leather.
This Pro-Touring styled Chevy Nova might not ever see the gritty pavement of an autocross track at speed, but you have to admit it sure does make a good spokesman, uh spokescar, for the Pro-Touring hobby/sport!
Manufacturers and shops used in the building of this car.