Project 66 Nova

[james schaechter]

Our car is still in pieces and we are planning on going to Belle Rose. Maybe I should come by and "borrow" yours? It would be a lot easier! LOL. Looks and souns nice! Don't do too much joy idling! You need to get a good ring seal on that bad boy!

[Paul Merolla]

Well fellas, I finally made it. I joined this site in Dec. of 2001, when I first got bitten by this classracing disease, and have learned probably 80% of what I know about these cars from all of you. (Well, most anyway! All I learned from Ed O'Brien was how to step on my...)
Last night, I took the Nova to Midamerica Motorplex for its first shakedown passes, and had the time of my life. After wanting to do this so bad for so long, I was wound up pretty good in the lanes before my first attempt. I had gone through the procedure a million times in my head, but it was really hard to concentrate. Burnout went fine, put too much brake in it to stage. Launched hard, went right. Pedaled it like Capps, haha, then it went straight but it got stuck in third gear. Got back to the pit and found the one detail I had overlooked....tightening the jam nuts on the linkage. Got it straightened out. Went back up, and was a lot more calm that time. Set the 2-step at 5500, still getting my feet wet, and turned 'er loose. Oh Yeah!!! That, friends, is what it's all about! Managed 3 shifts, and it was over. (wish we had a 1/4 mi.) Got my timeslip and drove back to the pit pumping my fist and shaking like a leaf. 7.381...that means I'm UNDER the 7.57 index for F/S! Now I have nowhere to go but quicker!
Big thanks to my wife, Elizabeth, for lots of encouragement and presents from Summit. Also to the midwest Chevy II contingent, all of whom have helped me with this project: Dave Cech, Jim and Joe Schaechter, Jim Parsons, John Hladky, and Tom Meyer. Big thanks to Frank Allen for keeping me motivated with good stories and great sound effects.
Thanks to many of you on this forum for sound advice, not directly, but by answering the questions of others. Alan Roerich, Adger Smith, Dwight Southerland, Bub Whitaker, and on and on. Geez I'm sounding like the Oscars....anyway, a couple of pics to close it all out:






[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/23587359@N05/8727842419/]

[Billy Nees]

Great job! AND the personal satisfaction of doing so much of it yourself.
It just goes to show, good things ARE worth waiting for!

[bigsixman]

Nice job and a big congradulations to you on a job well done!

[cicero819]

Congratulation on a job well done, now you just have to get the c/d out there soon. Claude Ruel

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Great job! AND the personal satisfaction of doing so much of it yourself.
It just goes to show, good things ARE worth waiting for!

Thanks, Billy - you belong on that list, too, along with Eddie Rezac.

[gmonde]

great job on getting it all put together ,, bonus you get to drive it ,, on the two step and let the clutch out ,,, there is nothing like it ..make some passes , you will get it figured out Gmonde

[Geerhead55]

Way to go Paul,,, glad you finally got it out to the track. It was very enjoyable following along with your build,, take care.
Danny Durham

[69Cobra]

Very Cool and Congrats!!!! I hope you be where you're at this time next year.

[Jeff Kempton]

Paul; thanks for taking the time to post pics and text to allow us to follow along with your build. The race debut post captured your emotions perfectly and was icing on the cake. Best Of Luck and have fun racing your sharp Chevy II in the future!