The "Other" Novas

The Chevy Nova has it's place in musclecar history-and rightly so. The L79 350 hp 327 SS models of the mid-60's could certainly surprise the heavier big-block offerings from the big 3. When GM redesigned the X-body in 1968, it opened up a whole new world. The front subframe was the same as a Camaro, which meant that big-blocks could now be easily installed. and for the first time, the 396 that had been previously only avaialable in Impalas and Chevelles, was now optional on the Nova SS.  Many an unsuspecting street hero that thought he was messing around with a small-block Nova got his doors blown off by a 396 model. To this day Novas have quite a following, and although they aren't as pricey as a same-year Camaro or Chevelle, they are rising in value. even for base models. However, the other GM divisions needed an economy car too, so they began offering their versions of the Nova. The best ones are the Pontiac Venturas from 1971-77. A lot of them had six-cylinder or 307 or ( 76-77 models ) 305 Chevy engines under the hood. This is not a bad thing, as that means a stout 350 or 383 Chevy is virtually a bolt-in swap. However the real sleepers to look for are the 350 Pontiac models. With very little work-intake,exhaust, and an axle-ratio change, they can really fly, or if you want to go really fast, since Pontiac engines are externally identical from a 326 to a 455, a 400 or 455 is a bolt in swap. After I totaled my 77 Trans-Am, I put the engine and tranny in a 72 Ventura. Since the T/A weighed 3830 lbs, and the Ventura weighed 3278 lbs,  ( a nearly 600 lb difference) the Ventura was noticeably quicker than the Firebird! I toasted many people who thought I was driving a small-block Nova. Olds and Buick didn't get in on the act until 1973. There are quite a few Omegas out there, with 350 Olds engines under the hood. There is a lot speed equipment available for the 350 Olds, and although a 455 Olds doesn't interchange with the 350 as easily as the Pontiacs, it's not too hard. You don't see many Buick Apollos around, but if you do, they were usually bought by old people, and are in really good condition, as opposed to the Novas and Venturas that have been raced, abused and wrecked. T/A performance and Edelbrock offer speed equipment for 350 Buicks, or again, a 455 would swap in pretty easily.  And, many aftermarket suspension and brake upgrades that fit a Camaro or Nova also fit these cars. If your looking for a bargain sleeper, this may be the way to go. Mastermind