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interestingly enough,
www.novaresource.com shows the body numbers starting at 100001
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Kim Howie and I have been sharing information on the 68 Novas for several years. In regard to the Fisher Body numbers of documented 68 L-78 Novas, I was just looking at some notes I have here at work. I notice JasonL78 made an earlier post of his L-78 Nova as being a 05D (4th week of May). In my notes, I have record of an 06A L-78 Nova that was probably built 1 week later, but since I don't have a 68 calendar, I can't be for sure June only had 4 weeks? Although this discussion is questioning a 68 Nova on e-bay, for most part this discussion is the kind that can be helpful to all interested?
Kim Howie and I have in the past few years been collecting some data on the 68 L-78 Novas. Looking at some of the notes I have here at work shows that the Fisher Body numbers range from a 06A build date of 820xx to a 07B car with a 969xx. This is the range for an approx. 6 week period. What I find interesting about this, is the fact concerning the 50 Gibb COPO's that were built 07A and 07B. The body numbers of these cars I have referenced start with 963xx and range to 969xx in a 2 week run. The variation could be even more as the stated partial early body number is only that of car #14? My personal car is #37, 07B built, and has a 966xx body number. Car #44, just 7 cars later of the Gibb order, the body number jumps to 969xx. I believe many have been confused about consecutive body numbers for a long time, but this shows, at least in this case, they can vary quite a lot in a short period of time? So in reference to the car discussed, we have documentation of cars with Vin#'s that start with 373xxx that reach the 97000 plateau, my personal feeling, by comparing the notes I have and the time period involved, is that a 6 figure body number may exist? Like Kim stated earlier, it could be a 07C build date, but I would guess it to be be a 07D?However, this is not saying the car is a true L-78?
I believe that the standard transmission for the L-78 Nova was an M-21 with the M-22 as an option? As stated, before, standard brakes for the L-78 Nova was HD power assisted drums, finned fronts. Disc brakes were an added option for 68 SS Novas. Fuel lines were a single 3/8 inch on the L-78's, and the radiator support had a larger opening for the HD radiators.
Like Kim mentioned in a post about the earliest build dates of the L-78 Novas, I too have not run onto any April build cars that can be documented, however, from the archives of NHRA, they have information from the engineering department of GM,that on the 23rd day of April, 1968, the 50th L-78 Nova had been produced. This was addressed to NHRA's Tech committte. Another document from GM, dated May 3 1968, shows a total of 73 L-78 Novas as being built.
Just wanted to share these notes that might be useful later on to those interested.
Ray