http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/how-to-build-an-x-camino.348483/ Sorry to derail your thread Pat, back to the Nova/Apollo discussion as I'm genuinely curious as well.
Well..I am heading to S&W in a few weeks to get a complete replacement rear frame and start over on the 1st project.This other deal is a racecar that's been sitting and the guy lost interest. Unfortunately,it's been bastardized most of it's life..It wont be a street car ever again and I just got the idea in my head.. What's not to like about this???
As a guy who owns an apollo I can tell you that's a terrible idea. You're taking a nova that's worth some money and turning into a car that barely carries a tenth of the value. Save yourself some time and burn your money.
I’m showing my age, but I can’t believe Novas are worth anything if they’re not the few factory 396 or hot small block factory cars. When I was young, Novas were so cheap (+- $400) the only people who bought them were racers and kids too poor to buy a $1200 Camaro, Firebird or Mustang. Novas were cheaper than Skylarks. Patrick
the hatch was optional not standard. however if its a 72 car it has the wrong quarters to look right.
All yiu would need to do is graft the apollo rear tail light panel in,...the do whatever is necessary on the fenders to match the doors,..if anything
No. The body changed in 75. The 73-74 cars have no wing windows and hideous energy absorbing bumpers. Otherwise the same car 68-74. The apollo was only 73-74 though. I believe the 75-79 was a skylark.
Pat, I'm sorry to do this and bring my logic in on this. If you don't make it over to Beaver Springs with any cars that are street legal you have right now, Buick or naught, why are you thinking that a racecar only would work out for you? Would it ever see the track? How many years down the road? Which car is going to get done first? Just in case you were thinking a 455 would go in the Nova easily, unless the steering is changed from the rear steer to the later front steer, things get dicey at the driver side header area. Maybe it has been already since it was a racecar? Maybe a set of shorties from a Riv? I'm sure somebody will get on and say they did it but customizing headers is the minimum that will need to be done. Just to throw in another $.02 I'd keep those tires covered up with giant black plastic bags if you want them to be in good shape when the chassis car is done.
Mike, I value your opinion very much. I'll try to answer your questions in order. My 70 Skylark I call the Maggot is all done except I need to bleed the brakes and set the timing Going to BSD was out of the question with all the nonsense that's currently going on. It also needs the cowl hood set back on and the Dzus's fastened is all. The Nova is a car that is all there (electronics interior etc) but the motor was killed and sold along with the transmission(Powerglide) I have a good friend that has a 383 Chevy motor and Powerglide transmission that needs a car hauled and we will swap if it happens.I just wanted it to appear like an Apollo. I am aware of the steering box placement. I am not concerned with it going 8's,or 9's. It's very cheap enough and I have the space and cash. That picture of the frame was taken 3 years ago and yes,those tires as well as several others are in black bags as well. I ordered the new rear frame for the Buick today(the frame pictured) and made an appointment to get the rust free body media blasted and in primer for the spring. The goal is to have the body on the completed frame in the spring and get things like bumper mounts,fuel tank mounts and the flooring done before paint. I am planning to retire in 2 years and will have more time to do the work on my cars much more..
If you got the space, time, and cash then so be it. You have to do what you have to do. However, Chevy 383 into a Nova and then turning the Nova into an Apollo? The logic goes right over my head. If the Nova is very cheap and you have the space, buy it and throw it in a corner. Then I'd be pouring the cash and time into the back-half car and get it on the road before the tires expire.
