Thread: At Last - 1963 Nova

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Like many here, I’ve always been “…workin’ on something for someone else.” and just never seem to get to my own car. I’ve had a 1963 Nova SS for more than thirty years. Early on, I tackled all of the mechanical work – front end from Fatman Fabrication, drive train from a Z-28, new rear end and rear suspension, 11” front disc brakes, relocated battery to trunk, tons of stainless and billet, etc. Somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that I’d get around to having the body and paint done.

Time has a way of “slipping away” and the little car sat. Now and again I would get excited and work on various pieces – always kept a good battery in the car and would fire her up now and again but somehow couldn’t get a good body and paint person on my radar. I had a couple guys give me the, “…well for about $50K I can do a show quality job…” yeah right – like I have an extra $50K just hanging around.

I continued to help out some other guys – built a bunch of 350 engines and couple 383’s and a few Mopars and even a couple Ford 289 engines. I always enjoy it – more so the time with good folks and the coffee between the wrenches – and the initial spark and hearing an engine come to life anew still excites me. More than once I had a tear in my eye when working with a young man (and a couple young girls too) and saw the delight on their faces when their engine fired up and we went for a shakedown drive. All the time, in the back of my mind was the picture of the ’63 and the vision I had for it and in January of this year, I finally retired from my “day time job” and thought, “If I don’t do this now, it may not get done.”

Encouraged by my precious bride (of 47 plus years), I contacted a “friend-of-a-friend” who had run a local Ford body and Paint shop – retiring in 2016 –who painted cars for a hobby. Lonnie McCance came and looked at the little car and said, “I can make this real nice.” Understatement of the year…

He came and hauled the car to his shop (April) and the work began. Down to bare metal, replacing several bad pieces of metal, repairing an old fix (it was done with brazing rods) as well as both rocker panels and painstakingly righting the gaps. Here’s some pictures that believe me – do not do justice to the amazing journey this car is taking. Lonnie is truly a master.