Tony’s 1969 Nova: Surprises, Restomod Challenges & Pro Touring Power

Tony’s 1969 Nova came to us as an incomplete restoration with a handful of performance add-ons. At first glance, the body seemed solid, but once we started tearing it down, we discovered severe rot around the cowl area. After sending the car off to be blasted, more surprises surfaced — poorly executed prior repairs and hidden damage. With so much structural work already on the table, we shifted gears and decided to integrate custom body mods and high-performance upgrades into the restoration.

Inside, a custom transmission tunnel and roll bar were fabricated, subframe connectors were integrated into the floor, and mini tubs were installed to accommodate massive rear tires. In the trunk, an Aeromotive aluminum fuel cell was recessed into the floor, while up front, factory wheel wells were widened to house broader wheels and tires. A smoothed firewall, custom dash top, and interior refinements set the stage for a truly one-of-a-kind Nova.