This ’65 Pro Touring Nova Comes with Kiddie Seats
Performance
Motorsports
Classics
American
The 1965 Chevy Nova recently offered on eBay represents a misunderstood type of classic car: the pro-touring muscle-bound daily driver.
In the late 1980s, performance-car magazines started highlighting cars built for antics on special autocross courses—but still street-worthy.
Pro Touring classics are intended to outperform brand new muscle models, like Chargers, Camaros, and Corvettes. Enhancements are applied to the chassis, suspension, and braking systems. When everything is in place, drivers can test out their skills carving corners and zigzagging through courses.
The seller of the ’65 Pro Touring Nova says he rebuilt it also for reliability. Putting a car into shape and making it relatively comfortable for everyday use is part of the deal.
An aftermarket suspension kit converts cars for Pro Touring action.
The custom interior of the Nova is comfortable, but it’s not luxurious. The exterior has a patina of slightly worn paint.
What made these Pro Touring cars really take off is the ability to get full mod kits specific to certain models. Popular cars, like the Camaro, got attention first. But owners of Novas, Mustangs, and Chevy C-10 trucks can now get Pro Touring suspension kits. And the list keeps growing.
Orange Cones and a Parking Lot
Hotrodders modifying a stock muscle car for more speed and better handling is nothing new. But many early machines were built mostly to go in a straight line as quickly as possible. On the other hand, competing in autocross competitions was inspired by a different type of vehicle—the agile sports cars.
People who welcomed small European vehicles to US shores needed an outlet to exercise their machines. So setting up orange cones to create a small makeshift racecourse in a parking lot quickly grew in popularity. Autocross is a timed competition in which drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course.
Today the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) boasts some 65,000 members in the US. These gearheads like nothing better than spending a weekend traversing a winding course outlined by orange cones in an empty parking lot. That’s where they can safely let loose—and see what acrobatic maneuvers their car (of any vintage) can achieve.
Hold On Tight, Kids
The 1965 Chevy Nova sports impressive pro-touring gear, including the requisite GM LS3 550hp crate engine, Tremec six-speed, big Wilwood 13-inch 6-piston brakes, and a full floater 31 spline Currie Ford 9” rear end.
The Nova has the Speedway G-Comp front suspension power rack and the G-Comp Unser rear truck arm suspension with Watts link and sway bar.
The car has these additional goodies:
- Custom Ultimate 1-7/8” headers
- Three-inch exhaust with X-pipe (exiting from the rear lower quarter panels)
- Monster lightweight dual disk clutch
- Aluminum driveshaft
- Speedway hubs
As if the red 1965 Nova doesn’t already display enough bravado, check out the small child safety seats in the rear. They are securely mounted in the second row. Imagine the squeals from the tykes when mom or dad push this nimble 550-hp Nova through an autocross course—or slalom through back streets on the way to soccer practice.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.