Gibb 68 COPO Nova

[dykstra]

So cool!!

[Xplantdad]

Ray is an amazing person and a wealth of knowledge!

[copo-2]

Thanks, Bruce for chiming in as a moderator of this site. Staying away from the Gibb Nova's for this post, is only to reflect the appreciation for a place we can come together and disclose our experiences & disclose information from past years. We can think Steven Shauger for the devotion in maintaining such a place that all gear heads can share & hand down the things of interest that others might be able to reflect on for future use? As time rolls on, one can not benefit from information they have, forever? Thank you once again to Steven, Bruce & All the Moderators, & Members for maintaining a site that refresh's our minds where Chrysler, Ford, GM, including AMC, were in a war for dominance of the High Performance industry, & those dealerships that used the Central Office to produce cars that weren't available as Regular Production Options.

[dykstra]

Originally Posted by copo-2

Thanks, Bruce for chiming in as a moderator of this site. Staying away from the Gibb Nova's for this post, is only to reflect the appreciation for a place we can come together and disclose our experiences & disclose information from past years. We can think Steven Shauger for the devotion in maintaining such a place that all gear heads can share & hand down the things of interest that others might be able to reflect on for future use? As time rolls on, one can not benefit from information they have, forever? Thank you once again to Steven, Bruce & All the Moderators, & Members for maintaining a site that refresh's our minds where Chrysler, Ford, GM, including AMC, were in a war for dominance of the High Performance industry, & those dealerships that used the Central Office to produce cars that weren't available as Regular Production Options.

Well said Ray.

[copo-2]

The assigned designation of the Gibb Novas for the redesigned (experimental) automatic transmission for the higher horsepower, higher torque, and higher rpm solid lifter engines was processed thru the Central Office Production Order (COPO) at the request of Fred Gibb Chevrolet. The assignment # of 9738. The green tag attached on the transmission shows the serial # as CY-68-1005. Fred Gibb stated these automatic transmissions were produced and used as the benchmark for the use of high performance applications.

[dykstra]

Any more details of your Nova, Ray? I love this car!!

[copo-2]

Originally Posted by dykstra

Any more details of your Nova, Ray? I love this car!!

Thanks for the interest within the Gibb COPO Nova's. It has truly been a blessing to associate a car bought through a local authorized Chevrolet dealer because of an article published and fully read in detail about the all new and available 396-427 automatic Nova. Fortunate to be successful in checking the availability of the 427 version, the local salesman called Dick Harrell Performance Center in Kansas City MO to check on one? No problem of it being available, so from there a price was quoted, which was agreed upon with a L-79 Nova trade-in, with the understanding there was a waiting period of about 10 days & the only choice of color was blue. Knowing from the beginning it was a Dick Harrell 427 Nova, it was about 20 years later that there was more to be learned about the history surrounding the Nova and about the involvement associated with another well known Hi-Peformance and successful Chevrolet dealer from LaHarpe, IL that had a special interest in keeping Chevrolet competitive. I am truly grateful & honored to speak with Fred Gibb a few times and uncover some history of the mystery 68 COPO Nova's.

Dave, too, just had a peak of your site noticing the very appealing 409. Never did own one, but have a soft spot in my heart for the old "W" engine powered cars.

[copo-2]

Originally Posted by dykstra

Any more details of your Nova, Ray? I love this car!!

Dave, Fred had 50 of these Novas built for this purpose. This picture had some modifications added from the original purchase with 4:88 gearing, Lakewood traction bars, & 10:50 X 15" slicks, plus a hi-stall converter. Notice the absence of the fiberglass hood with small hood scoop.

[hvychev]

Ray, I was recently thinking about this car. I met you MANY years back, but please tell me you still have it? And if you don't mind me asking, how old are you now?

[copo-2]

Frank,
Yes, I do still have the Nova. It has been with me for 57 years coming November 11. I, myself, have survived for 83 years, but still have the urge to talk & listen to others.

The Nova has led me to friendship with many special people in relation to so many stories of others cars or past experiences. Being able to look back in the past with others has been a highlight of my personal life!

I hate to ask as I should remember, but where was it we met?