You’d better watch out because this 1974 Nova is a war machine. With its P-40 inspired color scheme, rumbling big block motor, and gun-ho personality this War Nova is dressed to kill. Craig Richey, of Missouri, built this ride from scratch beginning with a worn Inline 6 powered 1974 Nova that was olive green and a bunch he wanted to built a ride that had personality and turned heads.

Getting the Nova Prepped For War

Richey began his project by building a 468 cubic inch big-block Chevy motor with a solid roller cam that has .780 total lift and makes 12.5:1 compression. The 468 BBC is tied to an M21 four-speed manual gearbox which has been upgraded with a close ratio KC Clutch “race ready” clutch. This runs to a 31 spline Eaton posi trac rear end with 3.73 tire roasting gears. Richey put a ton of elbow grease into War Nova’s suspension; underneath are ride tech control arms, QA1 coil overs with 550 lb springs, while a Hotchkiss adjustable sway bar resides up front and Hotchkiss 2″ drop leafs Slide-a-links were also installed. Rickey also fabricated his own weld in subframe connectors and all poly bushings. 2000 Camaro SS disk brakes grind the car to a halt while a 1990 IROC 16:1 ratio “high effort” quick ratio steering box makes up the control yolk. Other war like features include a dash of custom gauges and a hand grenade shifter.

Built On a Budget

Richey built his machine on a budget and for cheap almost every part acquired for this car came from Craigslist or a Junkyard. Due to tire changes he was able to give his car three different set ups. His first set up is BF Goodrich Radial TAs (235/55/15 front, and 245/55/15 rear) which is for “mostly for hooning around and powersliding everywhere.” His second (the one shown in the pics) has Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials on the rear (275/60/15) with the BFGs on the front, which is for a little stop to stop light action. His last set up is for the drag strip and its a set of Nitto NT01s on 2000 Trans Am wheels.

While most people turn heads and drool over his machine apparently not everyone is a fan. At a Cars and Coffee, Richey parked next to a snobby Ferrari owner who was angry. He parked next to his F355 and even had the nerve to ask Richey to leave. Richey stayed put and everyone at the show ignored the Ferrari and couldn’t stop commenting on the War Nova.