Re: 1970 L78 Nova on Ebay
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I also believe that there were some L89 Novas in '68 or '69, but not '70. Would love to see a documented one, regardless of the engine code!
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While it is hard to say never, it has been brought up about true documentation surfacing. Before one can be documented by old, original paperwork, this issue will never be settled for sure? There are codes from different sources, identifying the L-89 to the Nova, and as mentioned the Camaro & Nova do carry the same code in some cases? Yet, to my knowledge, not even one of these has been properly documented, although attempts have been made? If there ever is one that can be fully documented, I believe at this point it would have to be a 69? My reasoning for this is the fact that it has already been mentioned about the low number of L-89's designated for 70 Chevelles (18), but in 68 if you think about another aspect, this being the Gibb Novas and the reason they were built in the first place? This may be going out on a limb a little to mention this, but since these cars were made for NHRA competition, and were radio delete to save weight, Fred Gibb being aware and updated on the latest issues of Chevrolet high performance, etc., what better way would there have been to take an extra 60lbs., or so off the car, especially off the most important part, the front end, unless this would have made them too light for the classification they were being built to run? Would this have not been a good set-up for the 50 car requirement for Super Stock competition? The 68 Gibb cars record is still on file as well as the 50th L-78 Nova being built on April 23rd of 1968 in their records with a letter from GM document? NHRA was very stringent and required documentation or proof from GM, Ford, Chrysler, & all the car manufactures of this time period. Question; Has anyone ever contacted NHRA to see if maybe 50 L-89 Novas were ever documented by a letter from GM? I believe NHRA would have such a record if they were legal to run during this time frame, though I know they have become a little more liberal since on ethics of that period, as too what was stock back then? AHRA was altogether a different subject in the way of their classifications? What about Bill Jenkins 68 Nova? What heads did he run, aluminum or steel? On this I do not know the answer, but if he would have been allowed to run the aluminuim and did, then surely they built at least 50 or otherwise he would have had to run Modified Production? Now, there is a difference between even 1 and 50, but this is only a thought? I do not have all the answers and like all, are to trying to learn the facts? Discussion is good and I am only conveying my personal thoughts on this issue, but unless one can be properly documented beyond reasonable doubt, this question will never be put to rest? I agree, I would love to see one, adding yet another piece of history for the Nova? Ray
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