51 Year Old Barn Find: A Beginner's Ultimate Restoration Project? | RUSTORATIONS EP7

In this captivating video, join us on a remarkable journey as we stumble upon a hidden gem - a Chevy Nova left untouched for an astounding 46 years! Prepare to be amazed as we take you through a mesmerizing walk around of this classic beauty, inspecting its condition despite the passage of time. Watch closely as we outline our detailed plan to restore this neglected Chevy Nova to its former glory. With utmost enthusiasm and dedication, we are embarking on an unforgettable restoration journey that promises to resurrect the spirit of this iconic car. Throughout this series, we will document every step involved in revitalizing this rare find, from the careful inspection of its components to the meticulous restoration process. We plan to share invaluable insights, tips, and tricks with our dedicated viewers. Witness the magic unfold before your eyes as we breathe life back into this long-standing slumbering beast. Stay tuned as we share our expertise, passion, and unyielding commitment to excellence in restoring this Chevy Nova. Join us on this thrilling adventure as we navigate through challenges, triumph over setbacks, and unlock the untold stories hidden beneath the surface. Like and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on the latest episodes of this extraordinary restoration project. Don't miss out on witnessing the revival of a Chevy Nova that has been dormant for nearly five decades. Become part of our community and share in the excitement of this exceptional journey!
Below are questions we would love to get your feedback on.
- Is the car solid or are we going to have some serious issues?
- Was this a good deal or did we overpay?
- Do we keep it old school or do a modern build?
- What drive train do we put into this sucker? Do we keep the 8.5 rear end or swap out to a 12 bolt?
00:00 Introduction of Chevy Nova muscle car barn find project
01:00 Family Road trip to retrieve muscle car barn find
01:48 Inspection of the condition of the muscle car
03:19 Paint condition of muscle car barn find body work needed
04:35 Quarter panel condition and plan for restoration
04:55 What parts can be saved; trunk pan, upper and lower tail panel
06:50 Inside inspection of muscle car barn find complete dashboard, rocker panels
07:50 What’s the plan for this restomod
11:20 Muscle car fender restoration plan
12:00 Front and rear bumper restoration plan
13:20 Doors and interior bucket seats re-upholstered, condition of windows
14:25 What will the stance be of this 1972 Chevy Nova
14:30 Shock relocation kit plan on muscle car
15:20 LS vs. LT vs. Carburettor
16:02 Modern Rack and Pinion, Power Steering & Brakes in a classic car
17:15 What kind of manual transmission will be used, 5 speed or 6 speed Reer Wheel drive
19:00 What is your opinion on our choices?
20:00 Financial overview of the car restoration project
21:00 Muscle car interior tear down
23:40 Removing of the car seats
24:00 Debrief condition of the floor pan
26:10 Transmission tunnel inspection on muscle car
29:45 Floor pan: What are we removing and what should be kept
30:15 What skills do we have to do this project
31:10 Special guests on the show to go through specific skill sets required

[@Eldude350]

Welcome to the Nova family! 12 yrs ago when I 1st seen the car, it had a running 350, 2bbl, 4 speed. Most likely it had been swapped from the racing mill it had for the racing life it had. It has seized up from time . All the better cause you were putting your own mill in it anyways. Nice start to the project, keep on it and the 1st thing you know, you'll be driving it with the biggest smile! Gerry

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Well it's all thank to you Gerry you are the man the one who found this gem! I have worked on this car over 40 days since this was filmed and can honestly say it's the perfect car. Thank you Gerry for making our dreams come to life! Can't wait to cruise the novas in a couple years in New Brunswick

[@davidthomits544]

I had 73 nova years ago that paid 75 dollars thru a rod junked it not thinking at the time regret it was a pretty solid car should of kept it

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@davidthomits544 wow 75 bucks can't even go out to dinner for that these days! Unreal how times have changed. The 73 is a little different but truthfully they can be made super mice by shaping the front and rear bumpers and rear tail panel. Great cars sorry to hear you had to let it go

[@Domenshow]

You hit the nail on the head. No one came out of the womb knowing how to do any of this. Skills were acquired from others and a lot of trial and error. Having the right attitude, as you do, towards learning as you go is important. Also accepting the speed bumps you encounter as learning opportunities is what is going to make this journey special for you and your family!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Well said Adrian thanks for the kind words man! You are 100% On all that NY friend. And trust me lots of mistakes along the way but good learning experiences.

[@SD70ACE-]

That's a nice find, the car is in good shap.. i can't wait to see the build come together.God bless you and family

[@SubdivisionAuto]

It is indeed and its in a million pieces since this was filmed. And it isn't perfect we have found some surprises! Hope you stick around to see the progress. What brought you to see our Nova project?

[@eduardorivera2460]

Okay i really loved seeing the garage overhaul!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Glad you liked it amazing what you can do with little resources and lots of creativity. Having a trailer and driving around garbage day has been an asset for us! Amazing what people throw away

[@eduardorivera2460]

Go with a pullout drivetrain from a 5th gen SS Camaro and keep your ten bolt just upgrade the axles and diff maybe a eaton detroit trutrac. Classic auto air has some great complete AC systems too. And look at CPP for brake systems and suspension upgrades too. Good luck brother and welcome to the Nova owners family!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thats is a brilliant idea. I've had someone suggest the 5th gen SS camaro as well and its a great option I think. Yeah going to get AC as well just wasnt sure if I should get Classic Air or see about getting something else since my firewall is bare a the moment. I will look up all those suggestions thanks for the really useful comment. And thanks for taking the time to comment on the other videos and watch them I really appreciate it.

[@derek4073]

Gunstock grey is a sharp colour, but whatever you pick will look nice on this car. Good luck with the built I hope it all works out well, I'll enjoy watching this build.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Cool color thanks! Appreciate you coming for the ride.

[@erictate8986]

Subdivision Auto Hello Friend also make sure that the trunk rubber seal is good because that will let water leak into trunk and a bad rear window rubber seal will let water leak inside the trunk as well !!

[@PaulRhodes420]

I think maroon would look pretty good, with gold stripes on the hood & trunk, it would stand out for sure! The seats are tan, so the gold would really make it pop! Beefy tires all the way around for better handling and shiny American Racing rims. Tinted windows!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Very cool idea Paul. Believe it or not thats probably the closest ito what it was before. I thought it was black but turns our it was more of a brown... pretty close to maroon. So yes that would for sure. Cool idea with the gold never thought if that before. Tinted windows and beefy tired are a must for sure!

[@PaulRhodes420]

@@SubdivisionAuto I'd love to see it come to life! Even more I'd love to drive it one day! ✌️😂🏁🏆🥇

[@carthageclassiccars]

Max, great start to an awesome project car to restore. Happy for you to have found this one and already tearing into it. Good luck on the build, I am excited to see the progress at it come along. Also thank you very much for the shoutout at the end, I really do appreciate the kind words.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thanks for the help amd kind words Richard ofs because of people like you sharing your knowledge that makes this kind of project possible. It was very valuable knowing the type of work that needs to go into restoring these even before buying a car. Despite some of the surprises that have come up the shape of this car and the limiter skills I have are working great together and it's coming together. Mind you this vidoe is 3 months behind but progress is being made. Thanks again Richard you are the man! I look forward to seeing you take the firebird for a drive one day

[@heathhathaway500]

GM had a paint color in 72 called Midnight Bronze. It would look cool in Midnight Bronze W/ white racing stripes.👌

[@SubdivisionAuto]

That is a cool color and the racing strips are something we like as well. Going to be a tough one to figure this one out quite a few interesting options out there...

[@travlite8496]

My first car was a 69 ss Nova love these cars

[@SubdivisionAuto]

right on what engine did you have?

[@JLeary45acp]

For what its worth I'd keep the patina as much as you can, that's the character you met when you saw her.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

For sure looks super cool because of that. Good point

[@michael1294]

I saw Rush 2112 on the wall. Awesome!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Cant get enough of Rush. heck the channel is named Subdivision Auto and the other show is Between the wheels all Rush references

[@attilakorosi6900]

Great start to the rebuild nice to see younger guys working on older muscle cars we have to keep the car hobby alive keep up the good work.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thanks for the kind words Atilla. Will try my best to mimic the great work done by the previous generations for sure. Thankfully I have a lot of guys to look up to for motivation. Thanks again for the kind words, if it's 1/4 as good as your camaro I will be quite happy

[@eduardorivera2460]

Oooh love the shout out to Rick Carthage Classic Cars he is the man when it comes to body work.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Rick is a great guy. He has been helping me out behind the scenes with certain issues, super nice guy you will see more shoutouts for him for usre.

[@Nova.1971]

This is going to be a great project!!! I put QA1 front coil overs in mine and sway bar what a difference. I'm not going to put QA1 in the rear of my Nova.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Coil overs / sway bar combo sounds good heard a lot of good things on that! Thanks for the support!

[@johnnyduplantis]

Great start. I continue to be amazed at how perfect a car your patience and persistence led you to find. I would rate initial discoveries of the floor condition B+, better than expected. Max, if you don't want my two cents worth, don't ask for it! Walk before you run. K.I.S.S. principle. Keep It Simple Stupid. LS1. Tremic 5 speed. Canadian flag red with full black interior. I believe you're first major DIY restoration is intended to be a family car not a race car. Don't over do it. PS. Here's an idea - let the boys pick the color. TrooperJess could handle that. Throw some color samples on the family room floor and see what they pick. 😉😊

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Hey Johnny how ya doin man? Jess does like your idea that's a pretty cool idea. So far Ive gotten "pink" hah,,,, we may be to pick some choices out for the boys to look at. In terms of the shape, let me tell ya since this has been filmed we've put over 40 days into the car, it's in a million pieces, and just yesterday we finished exposing all the "Surprises". This is a BIG project, like really big. But it's still something we can do. In terms of the drivetrain I like what you said "It's intended to be a family car not a race car". That is true, and despite the fact we are doing that its still going to be fast so it will be fun. But I am not putting no roll cages, or 1000hp into this, it just doesnt make sense. So I have been battling the whole transmission and rear end battle for a while now but the more comments like this I see the more I realize keeping it simple is more important. You dont even get traction over 500hp without slicks. Great comment Johnny nice to see ya again

[@johnnyduplantis]

@@SubdivisionAuto The joy is mine. This is going to be great! 👍👍 Pink, eh? Well you did say you wanted it to be different. 🤣

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@@johnnyduplantis haha!

[@chuckirwin7334]

I've been knee deep in a 69 Camaro every pannel has been worked so I feel you pain keep up with what you're doing just take time and look closely, slow and steady wins the race.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Yeah so you know the pain of the thin sheet metal. Even with how good this car is compared to the others you will see us replacing a lot... Just easier than a million patches. But you'll see a lot of mistakes I make as well. Slow and steady indeed thanks for the advice very cool about the 69 Camaro nice cars.

[@erictate8986]

Subdivision Auto Hello Friend another thing to watch out for with rust inside these classic cars , is make sure all the rubber window seals are in good shape, if not that will let water to coming into the car !! And check the rear window seal and the front Windshield as well for leaks !! And check the front of the car cowl and heater box as well for leaks !!! You can test this by making should the all the windows and roll up ,then Spray water all over the car with a garden hose , and check for leaks !!! If your found these water leaks because of the age of the car you will have to fix them because that's critical ,and not enough people Point out that issue Ok !!!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

You are 100% correct. Next episode you will see I had this exact problem. Leaks on both front and back not visible due to the interior and trim. Ended up a huge issue because of it. Great point I never would have knew before...

[@CalebGibbsAvenue]

Thanks for going in to the details on the bild I find your research valuable

[@SubdivisionAuto]

My pleasure Caleb thanks for taking the time to watch these and comment I always appreciate it. Filming this series nonestop it's going to be a huge job it seems but really enjoying it. Thanks for the support as always have a great weekend.

[@seanc2862]

Finally got her eh! Great find and can't wait to see the progress !

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Indeed! Lots happening with the car next update comes in 2 weeks

[@rich-eastcoasttech]

My 1969 nova SS is fathom green with the l-88 hoodscope.The SS sits lower than other nova's, i'm runing the 8.5 ten bolt with moser street axles.my front suspension is delran bushing's the upper balljoints are 1/2 inch taller than stock and a detriot speed swaybar with 9 inch wide tireson first gen Irock wheels it corners like it's on rails

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Very cool sounds like a good looking car. Nice setup thanks for your input I appreciate it.

[@gmxbody]

Nice # gmxbody welcome to the gang

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thank you very much loving ever minute of it. Nice 74 ventura sweet cars! So are you a Nova guy or prefer Novas or both?

[@jessicaleduc9250]

3:15 😂😂 my favorite part of this video !

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Oh yeah!

[@boatnut64]

Bottom fender patches are about $65 bucks (doing them on my own 72 Nova) 👍👍👍

[@SubdivisionAuto]

No kidding eh? Oh man had no idea they sell patches for that good to know. Thank you

[@schwartzyy-_-5635]

Put Qa1 coilovers on my nova really nice having the ride adjustment and being able to set ride height up and down and change if you want

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Interesting will have to think about that sounds like a cool option. What year Nova and engine do you have?

[@CalebGibbsAvenue]

Finally , I was waiting for this one. 🙌

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Yeah buddy!

[@LASALDELMAR]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 king of muscle style

[@erictate8986]

Subdivision Auto Hello Friend Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family OK 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😃😃💪💪🦃🦃🦃

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Same to you my friend thanks for the mice wishes

[@billywird]

I see a lot of factory SS stuff on this car and one can see if the mounts for the buckect seats appeared to come from the factory for instance. The console is a factory SS gauge console and the tunnel has factory four speed stuff. The sound deadening is factory. Got to get it all cleaned down to the bare floor and see what has to be repaired or replaced. The same goes for the rest of the car as it needs to be stripped down to bare metal and see what has to be replaced due to rust out of panels. I'll bet it you research the VIN it may be a factory SS Nova. Most of those factory hot rods of that era came with standard steering boxes. Unless special ordered people did not want power steering, air conditioning, and such on their factory hot rod. You have something that is a basic builder. Better have you a warehouse out in the back yard for all of those parts you need to store while you are building this car.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Good points all 100% . I really thought this was a SS as well but turns out it's not. But thats okay because If it was I'd rather have it all go back to factory. The fact it's not but has all these extra goodies makes for, like you said, a great basic builder. But it isn't perfect and turns out it had some hidden surprises. I hope you stick around to see what ends up happing with this car because let me tell you it'd one hell of a ride. Filming it all now thanks for the support. Are you a Nova fan, owner or other?

[@boatnut64]

Get the Windshield and rear windows out. The sealant they used back in the day, was crap. Both windows would leak (front floor pans and toe boards indicate leaky windshield)... If you have any questions, I'm glad to help. Allan (I just won't list my contact info, for the whole world to see) 😉😉😉

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Man you are 100% correct. Both seals leaked really bad and you will see a hell of a lot of damage on this car. ... Despite the damage its still in decent shape but much larger project than I expected. Great tips you are right on the money... Thanks for your tips I will keep you in mind. next part of the series comes out in 3 weeks for the full removal.

[@boatnut64]

@SubdivisionAuto I had to replace the dashboard metal, and just got my new toe boards. Like yours, my trans tunnel is good, as well as the floor, directly under the front seat. Seems to be the way they go...

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@boatnut64 yeah no kidding eh seems to be a thing in these cars. Yeah dashboard is done. Did you have to do more than just the dash or damage under it as well?

[@boatnut64]

@SubdivisionAuto There was some pitting, and if I were doing a Concours resto, I probably would have replaced the edge (in spots) but I ended up cleaning it up and rust converting and sealing the hell out of it. A guy could go crazy and replace every panel (Carthage Classic Cars) 😉 but where does it end??? And let's face it, most of us don't have a $50,000 + Budget... Don't get me wrong, he does beautiful work, but he does extremely High End Cars, for people with Very Deep Pockets; not average Working Folks...

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Haha yeah I know what you mean Richard takes the cars down to literally nothing, like step 1 in a model car! But after taking stuff apart and seeing all the rust (especially between panels on the spot welds I totally get it. Plus even if something looks like it has no holes the guage of the metal is so low its impossible to weld. its just so much easlier to use new metal. But that means a huge budget so you will see some give and take on this project. But I had a hell of a time with the floors and theyre not done. You will ssee all the issues. @@boatnut64

[@67NovaJayFoxbodyRestoration]

Max did you send way for the GM Heritage on your Nova? It will give you all the car options, color, where it was built and what dealership it was delivered to. I have it for my 67 great info to have use to be $55.00 Jason

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Hey Jason nice to see you again man. I have not yet but I did get in contact with them do will do that soon. Got about two more weeks working on this car and then shutting down for the Christmas season. Only posted the first ep thus far but should have the next 5 filmed by the end of two weeks... if all goes well!

[@ejscarfo19]

What does the cowl tag say? Look to see how the car was born and see if the original color appeals to you. With respect to better brakes, steering, etc. there are no many options out there. Leeds makes great brake kits. Being the car looks mostly original, save whatever parts you remove and will not use again to sell and make up some of the money you spent. Plenty of people doing OEM restorations would be interested in those parts. Interior wise, do the three point seat belt upgrade for the from and rear, you won’t be sorry especially if you’re going to have your kids in it.

[@bryantidwell]

Since it was originally a 350 4 speed car that's what you should put back in the car

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Makes sense thanks for the idea.

[@kevinvansandt9117]

What is that on the floor between the seats ? Great start, welcome to the nova club

[@SubdivisionAuto]

The ol 8 track player and amplifier? We go through all the details what we find in the next episode and a much deeper inspection of the car (plus all the hidden surprises we find... and yes there are some). Thank you for the welcome I assume you have a Nova as well... what are you running?

[@kevinvansandt9117]

I have a 71 with a crate 350 and t350 and 12 bolt posi it's good enough for me,I just cruise around and go to car shows with my friends, future plans are up grading to disc brakes

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@kevinvansandt9117 that's a solid bullet proof setup. I know a couple people with the same thing (we did a episode on a Nova not long ago it wad a racing nova) and he has the same setup. He's been racing with that setup since 1991!

[@henrykoontz9088]

Put a small block back in it

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Can't go wrong with a small block for sure!

[@PaulsProTips]

Please no cowl hood. Nostalgic wheel and tires would be cool, but if 4 wheel disc is being considered, maybe some 17" steel wheel would be a nice compromise. I would make the theme of your restomod to be the car should feel like it was discovered as a 1970's relic with modern running gear. Like 5.3, TKX. Keep the 8.5. Add disc brake and decide on the wheels and brake size. The rest of rhe car, paint and colors and interior should keep the 1970's theme going. Exciting project!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Thanks for the input Paul! havent decided 100% on the hood yet may use the original afterall not sure yet...

[@davidbrown-55]

This is going to be gd boss. Ls 6 speed for drivability sounds gd. I’m ready for the ride.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Good stuff. It'd gonna be a ride man cars already in a million pieces since we filmed this!

[@Jimthechevywheelman]

Paint it white, don’t have to air condition it. White is forgiving for a paint job or bodywork…. Doesn’t dust….. have only own white cars for like 40 years.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

You are right white is a great color... other than my jeep all our other cars are white. Our dailys are always white cars super forgiving and look good! No AC? Curious why no to that?

[@Jimthechevywheelman]

My personal reasons for no air… Budget and less is better way of thinking (less chaos.. ) . I have bought and ordered a new 79z /28 back in the day … while living in Youngstown Ohio …back in the early 80’s in Houston, Texas had a white 68 El Camino and a white top 59 El Camino… all no air,,,,in Atlanta I ordered a 89 suburban with just front air. I’m still in the south and have had a bunch of second/work cars that some I would just removed the compressor if it quite working… I’m 67 years old. Now if I want a vehicle for cross country or long distance traveling, I could understand that air-conditioning is a necessity ….oh yeah .. cloth seats tinted windows helped a lot in comfort. And my wife chimed in and said always use a sunshade while parked! Big difference if u haven’t tried using one. Main thing : u get use to it , it’s not that bad.

[@HeathParker619]

Patch the fender’s aftermarket suck they don’t fit at all !!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Dude I'm 100% having that problem as we speak. Did thay today they don't fit at all I regret not getting the whole panel

[@runeingebretsen8378]

he is working on the car very backwards,the first thing you do with a old car is pick it apart,and then you start addressing everything.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Next update on the car comes next week with the full breakdown and updated plan. I only did it this way to start ordering parts (which took weeks to come so glad I did it this way). But yes you are right normally not the way to do it.

[@DonCrookwashere]

Why not ask your wife what color she wants. Then look at shades of new cars to see if you can find something different.

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Indeed. Funny she likes the color of the Chevelle in your picture, I assume that's yours?

[@DonCrookwashere]

Correct but sold due to back problems. The color is Mulsanne Blue that was on 1970 Camaros.@@SubdivisionAuto

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Ah man sorry to hear you are not the first one to sell it for that reason, heard this quite a few times. But I am sure you had some great times in that. What engine did it have?@@DonCrookwashere

[@DonCrookwashere]

I used parts from my very rusty 69 SS El Camino to make a clone. 396, 400 trans and 12 bolt 3:31 posi. Even had factory AC.

[@michael1294]

Go back original. Black with camel interior

[@michael1294]

Here are my other opinions which seem to align with some of yours. Keep as much original metal as possible. Nothing fits as well as original. I would do a small block 350 stroked to 383 with aluminum heads. I would do the 5 speed so you don’t have to mode the trans tunnel. And I would do original colors. Black with camel interior. The seats look like they don’t need to be redone.

[@user-oz9wh8rr3b]

Please paint the car!

[@SubdivisionAuto]

Agreed what are you thinking would look good on this ?

[@user-oz9wh8rr3b]

I would paint it blue, but that is just me (my first car was a '74 4-speed Nova - blue of course). I wish I would have kept the car.@@SubdivisionAuto

[@SubdivisionAuto]

@user-oz9wh8rr3b yeah I still would paint it blue unless someone convinces me otherwise. They look awesome blue.... 74 nice year man