Year after year, the Toyo Tires Treadpass is a must-see destination at the SEMA Show. It’s an open-air gallery that provides a platform for talented builders to showcase their most innovative work. Of the 28 incredible premieres this year, one of the most talked-about was Sean Ramage’s 1,200-horsepower 1969 Chevy Nova. It’s a car that perfectly captures the event’s blend of artistry and brutal performance.
The Builder and the Build
Sean Ramage, the CEO of Empire Fabrication, has a pedigree that includes time spent at Wargasser Speed Shop and Nelson Racing Engines. He specializes in cars with extensive metalwork that maintain a deceptively stock appearance. This Sinister Nova is his rolling resume. The body is a study in subtlety, with tucked and shortened bumpers, a shaved cowl hood, and surgically-tightened gaps. The engine bay is just as clean, with a stamped-out firewall and custom inner fenders.
A 1,200 Horsepower Secret
What isn’t subtle is the engine. The Nova is powered by a 427-cubic-inch Dart LS V8 built by Nelson Racing Engines. A 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger is bolted on top, helping the mill produce an incredible 1,200 horsepower on the dyno. That power is channeled through a 4L80 four-speed automatic and a Strange differential, with Baer calipers at all four corners to bring it to a stop.
A True Toyo Tires Treadpass Showcase
This build is the total package, which is why it earned its spot at the Toyo Tires Treadpass. The foundation is a full Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe up front and a DSE Quadralink in the rear. It sits on Forgeline GA3 wheels wrapped in the event’s signature rubber, Toyo Proxes R888R tires, with massive 335s in the back. It’s the perfect chassis for a massively overpowered street car.
One-Off Interior Fabrication
The Sinister Nova name also applies to the fully custom cockpit. A hand-fabricated dash holds a full suite of Holley instrumentation. Leather and Alcantara buckets with Braum five-point harnesses frame a custom, hand-fabricated console. All switches and A/C vents are one-off items, designed in CAD and machined specifically for this build. This Nova is a masterclass in restraint and power, defining the innovation found at the Toyo Tires Treadpass.
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