You've done a tremendous amount of work in five months. For a mechanic, you do just fine metal repair and bodywork from what I saw on the final assembly vid. Very nice job. I'm also a mechanic but haven't done it for a paycheck in almost thirty years. I worked at a bodyshop in Michigan as a mechanic. Mostly wheel alignments, but a lot of suspension work, engine component R&R, electrical trouble shooting. Would occasionaly help the body men bolt up large panels, and whatever else was needed.
Nice work, l have a 78 hatchback l bought off the original owner. Love the simplicity of these cars, they're easy to repair and the parts are cheap compared to new cars. All the best.
That's why more and more people are buying classic cars to daily drive and have fun with on the weekends, with the economy in the tank people no longer have 60k to throw down on a new car so they are buying classic cars and putting 5-8k into them. I'm seeing alot more on the road and I'm seeing alot more participation in Cruise-ins and Cars and Coffee's.
I fell in love with that body style in 1980 when they were popular for late model sportsman stock cars. I wanted to own one for a daily driver, but I was going to hold out for a Ventura, since I had blossomed into a Buick Olds Pontiac guy buy that time. I had loved Chevys as a teenager. I fantasized over getting a Ventura with a factory stick-shift but I honestly thought that I would never find one. Then in 1982, fate stepped in, as you say, and I spotted a 1975 Ventura in the newspaper classifieds that said it was a 3-speed. And it was a V-8 to boot! I was over the moon. It had a 260 Olds engine, which I didn't even know existed until I went and checked out this car. The 3-speed was floor shifted and you could tell by the faded carpet that it originally had a console (which was missing). It was also a factory A/C car. It had about 102K miles on it when I bought it, so I made it my goal to put it over 200K. I accomplished this by the end of 1989. The 260 was pretty weak but that was fine and dandy with me. On cross country trips it routinely acheived 25 mpg. It was originally beige and I had it repainted emerald green in 1984. I had them spray black rock scholtz (sp) along the bottom ten inches and that set the color off pretty well. That was the best RWD car that I have ever owned.
I will follow this build, I have a 76 Buick Skylark, bought it several years ago from the older lady that lived next door who bought it new. People have started buying more and more classic cars to daily drive them because the economy is in the tank they can no longer afford to pay 60k for a sar just to drive to work and the sweet spot seems to be the Smog and Malaise era cars of the mid 70'- Early 80's. I'm the Vice president of my Car Club and and our membership has gone up alot also, in the last 2 years it's gone up almost 40%, in 2021 we had 28 members now we have 45 or so.
Thanks for watching! Totally agree, new car prices are crazy! Just not worth it. In the future I’ll be installing a 5.3L fuel injected Chevy motor into a 1978 nova, not just to go fast but really to use as a daily driver. The build will be covered step by step on RU-vid. But first I have to finish the current project which is a 1978 Nova police car. If your interested, check that one out on my channel. It’s a complete restoration process I’m working through, a lot more details in the episodes than Frank’s! Please check it out and share with a friend! Thanks again and good luck with the car club!!
@@threeriverswrench I will certainly go look, The 350 is a good choice for a daily driver, decent fuel mileage and power when you need it. My Skylark has the 3.8 V6 and I don't plan on changing it because I don't have to, I live on the Eastern coast of Central Florida and I just use U.S., I never get on the interstate although there is one close it's on the completely other side of town, it would take me more time to drive across town to get on the interstate to go north to Daytona or south to Melbourne then it would if I jumped on U.S. 1 and drove so I don't need to scream down the road at 80 mph. 65-70 is good enough plus it's different, noone keeps a V6 in a muscle car, My club is trying to start a new catergory of car anyway, Pro Cruising, Basically it a car that has the original engine or a engine that was available in the car when it rolled of the assembly within a 5 year block of the model year, with updated interior, paint and wheels on the cheap, sort of a High School Hot Rod on steriods.
Love all Nova's and these 75's make nice hot rods. I've owned a 65 and a 63 and a friend had a 75 years ago that made a lasting impression. Good to see one being done right.
@jehu75 • I got a 75 Nova body , just the body . Nothing else , $400.oo All glass is good , inside still in good shape , You will need Uni-Body Frame , Rear leaf springs and rear end of your choice , engine, Trans - Auto or Standard , it was Auto and I installed a 4 speed and clutch pedal , but I have since removed the clutch pedal and installed it into another Nova .
The full vinyl top on car #1 is not very common. I mention this because it looks like the two Novas in the photo at 1:00 also have vinyl tops. Do you remember if they did in fact, or was one or both just two-tone paint? Also appears that your burgandy Nova had non-power brakes. How unusual that it does, and Frank also does. Would expect to see that on an in-line six car, not a V-8, especially not a 350.
Both my Dads and Grandpaps cars had whit painted roofs. My dads was a straight six auto with bucket seats and console. And it was a hatchback. Weird combo! For right now Frank has non power brakes. I will be doing a video this winter on upgrading to power brakes!
do you need another Nova? we have a 78 coupe thats been 90% restored. rust free. new motor and trans 4bolt main 350 4 barrell..we are in ga and ready to sale 8,000.00
