One of ? L89 Nova for sale at Russo and Steele

[markjohnson]

Well, if Brian Henderson of the Supercar Workshop is vouching for this car and it's authenticity, then that's enough for me and a lot of other people. The auction house can and probably will use Brian's inspection and approval to help market the car to interested buyers that might just need that little extra piece of proof.

[bkhpah]

This is what I found when looking at the car for Dave. I met Dave at Legendary to inspect the car. The car was at that time already apart, and the body was in the paint booth. The entire drive train was out of the car. Some of the parts were already apart for restoration. The engine itself was still intact. Dave brought all his documentation along, and he did a great deal of his own research. He had GM documents with the engine code I believe he got from Fran Preve. He had factory doc's like the POP. Peter Klutt among others examined the POP comparing it to other 70' POPs that Klutt had. There was NOTHING to indicate that the POP was not legit. It matched all the other ones on hand that day. From the glue to the fonts, it was for all we could tell authentic to the car. All the other codes matched the car 100%. The engine was on a stand and had yet to be taken apart. The Legendary Camera Crew was on hand to see EXACTLY what we found that day. Legendary's lead guys were present along with Klutt as the engine was taken apart. The pad itself had some light surface rust. There was no evidence of any step down on the pad from a previous decking. The heads were removed to see if indeed the broach marks extended from one side to the other, and they did. From all accounts it looked to be untouched and real. The heads were present and the dates noted. There was nothing to indicate the car was pieced together. The documents looked right, as did the block. Since there is not another pad like this to even match up too, it is impossible to tell what the others look like. Could it have been faked? I guess anything is possible, but it looked right. If it is wrong, it is exceptional. The original parts all had pitting and wear. Nothing was CRISP. I think the car is legit. If you are a serious player on the car, inspect it yourself. Dave came off to me as an honest guy. The car was already deep into the resto at Legendary when I was asked to look at it. There was no turning back at that point...BKH

[wheelhop]

Brian,
thanks for your insight. I don't know much about Novas but what a lot of guys seem to have trouble with involving this car is the O74 heads. Were they on there when you looked at the motor?

[Pulnaway]

Why, are you a buyer? Brian...a well respected person and restorer has looked at the car/ motor and in his opinion it is real! I make no claim to the cars being legit or not! Why is it so hard for people to ask questions in a respectful maner? I think it would be great to have the answers to the head # question, but it should be asked in a respctful maner if you want a responce. I bet that if this thread was worded better, he would still be here answering questions. Who Here is the person to varify this car? If Dave gives you the information are you the person? Since Brian vouches for this car and he is a noted restorer and member of the site, is he not good enough? If I were a buyer for this car I for one would not mis a beat calling Brian!


[ QUOTE ]
This is what I found when looking at the car for Dave. I met Dave at Legendary to inspect the car. The car was at that time already apart, and the body was in the paint booth. The entire drive train was out of the car. Some of the parts were already apart for restoration. The engine itself was still intact. Dave brought all his documentation along, and he did a great deal of his own research. He had GM documents with the engine code I believe he got from Fran Preve. He had factory doc's like the POP. Peter Klutt among others examined the POP comparing it to other 70' POPs that Klutt had. There was NOTHING to indicate that the POP was not legit. It matched all the other ones on hand that day. From the glue to the fonts, it was for all we could tell authentic to the car. All the other codes matched the car 100%. The engine was on a stand and had yet to be taken apart. The Legendary Camera Crew was on hand to see EXACTLY what we found that day. Legendary's lead guys were present along with Klutt as the engine was taken apart. The pad itself had some light surface rust. There was no evidence of any step down on the pad from a previous decking. The heads were removed to see if indeed the broach marks extended from one side to the other, and they did. From all accounts it looked to be untouched and real. The heads were present and the dates noted. There was nothing to indicate the car was pieced together. The documents looked right, as did the block. Since there is not another pad like this to even match up too, it is impossible to tell what the others look like. Could it have been faked? I guess anything is possible, but it looked right. If it is wrong, it is exceptional. The original parts all had pitting and wear. Nothing was CRISP. I think the car is legit. If you are a serious player on the car, inspect it yourself. Dave came off to me as an honest guy. The car was already deep into the resto at Legendary when I was asked to look at it. There was no turning back at that point...BKH

[/ QUOTE ]

[Pulnaway]

I do want to add that the whole reason I like this site is because there is alot of musclecar knoledge here. We all would like to know when a car is real or not, but it must be done with respect if you want to get to the bottom of it. Why would someone not talk with Brian? He is liked and respected and has no vested interest in the car.

[Lynn]

Hi Dave:

You probably don't remember me, but I sat at the table with you at the Supercar reunion in 2007. Your car is beautiful. Good luck with the sale. Hopefully you can shed some light on your request for 074 heads. I know I have three sets of heads for my Z/28, all dated correctly, so I would understand you buying extra parts.

When the engine was disassembled, did it have 074 heads or 842 heads?

Thanks for posting.

[NOVAL89]

Lynn,

the car had 074's on it not 842's...Yeah I wanted to have an extra set to put on the car to drive around with and show. I didnt want the original heads to blow or crack and the snowflake was worn off. Obviously the value and rarity of my car are the heads, so If I blew the original ones then that would be it. I saw the ad for the 074's so I called to get an extra set. the original heads were on the car when Brian and Klutt examined it.

Dave

[Pulnaway]

Brian, Can you verify that in you opinion the heads and intake had never been removed? ie original headgaskets and such? I dont think anyone disbelieves that the car is a factory bigblock car. The question revolves around the heads as being factory installed. I know when replacing heads the all surfaces have to be cleaned leaving marks. Were there any such marks? Any original paper showing the heads as being factory? If there is any paper showing this can we see it or the part of it showing the factory details. Being that the car is for sale I would think the the paperwork would be key.

[kwhizz]

Dave...........So....Not only (according to you) is your car the "Only" one of one L-89 Novas made......But....It's the "Only" L-89 produced with 074 Heads.........Is that what you are saying?.......If so.....what is the GM part # for the pistons that were used in the engine rebuild.....In my opinion....If I had the "Holy Grail" car......I would hire someone with the experience to track the previous owners and get a "Documented" history trail of the car to "Validate" the pedigree............After all......since it's so valuable, the slight added expense would be worth it.....
I know I'm going to get in trouble with some here by stirring the pot.......But.....I'm just posting what "Most" are thinking........Again.....If it were my car I would take whatever means possible to "Validate" the History and I would be pushing the paperwork as much as the car.....It's easy to build a real appearing L-89 Nova....I've done it and you've seen it....and it's got a CKP stamped block with Broach marks using GM stamps.......the Block was supplied by a guy that specializes in restoring engines for the Corvette guys...........So.....It didn't just fall out of the sky magically one day......and it's not presented as real......."Validate"....."Validate".......The 074 Heads are a major problem in trying to Sell your story....After all....If the car sells for large Money (as it should if real) and the next owner can prove otherwise.....you will be at Risk...........again....."Validate"....."Validate" .....Puzzles are big and have a lot of pieces.....hard to see the Big Picture with a couple of small speculative pieces
Time to get in the "Bunker".......Just my $.02

Ken

[Hotrodpaul]

If the motor was out then I am sure detailed pics were taken of the assembly and VIN stamp. Most of the L78 Nova blocks I have seen were VIN stamped on the pad at Willow Run. Posting of these pics would probably clear up some confusion. I would like to see them...
Here is an example block I owned a while back:


Paul