A YouTuber is restoring a 1971 Chevrolet Nova into their dream muscle car. After it sat for 46 years in a barn, it is set for an LS or LT engine.

The Chevrolet Nova is one of the most popular classic muscle cars on the market and is often the subject of many restorations. YouTube channel Subdivision Auto has unearthed a 51-year-old example of the Nova that has been in a barn for over 46 years. The video shows them rescuing the car and removing it from its hiding place, before beginning a restoration project.

The team behind the restoration is looking to devise a plan for the Nova and give the muscle car the full restoration that it deserves. The video also shows us how neglected the muscle car was after over four decades of rotting and rusting in a barn.

The 1971 Chevrolet Nova Is In Deceptivley Poor Condition

Why This 1971 Chevrolet Nova Was Chosen For Restoration

• The bodywork on this 1971 Nova is in good condition
• The interior comes complete with its bucket and rear seats
• Only minor work needs to be done to the Nova’s fenders
• The car will become a daily driver

The YouTuber talks us through the Nova and says that the last time the car was on the road was in 1977. It took the team 13 months to find the Nova, as they were seeking out a very particular car. The car was a true barn find and it is a clean slate for the team restoring it. The YouTuber says that it is mostly original, although a look under the hood reveals that there is no engine for the Nova.

The car was white thanks to a repaint, and the paintwork wasn’t done to the highest standard. This has contributed to the rundown condition of the muscle car. Despite the rough appearance, the metalwork is solid. The YouTuber says what it did have under the hood was a 350 ci block, complete with a four-speed manual transmission.

The Nova had power brakes, and the disc brakes also suggest that this is a higher-trim specification of the 1971 Nova. For this Nova, features such as the fenders and fender walls are in good condition, meaning that they will not need replacing. It should also provide a good starting point for this project.

The YouTuber discusses the paintwork of the Nova and that the car will go right back to bare metal. This is not only to completely restore the paintwork but to make sure the paint isn’t hiding any nasty surprises such as rust or corrosion.

A strip of trim used to run down the side of the Nova, but a previous owner removed it, filled the hole, and painted over the strip. The hope is though that much of the original skin of the muscle car will remain upon the completion of its restoration.

The Powertrain Will Either Be An LT Or LS Motor

How This 1971 Chevrolet Nova Will Be Modernized

• A modern LS or LT engine will go under the hood
• The new owner will install power steering and air conditioning
• The 1971 Nova will receive a more aggressive stance
• A modern Tremec five-speed manual will go into the Nova

With no engine currently in the Nova, a choice needs to be made about its powertrain. Subdivision Auto says that they are thinking of going for a more modern LS engine, or even an LT engine. The YouTuber says that sourcing an LT engine will be trickier, but that it could be the more enjoyable of the two engines. What they also want to do is add power steering to the car complete with rack and pinion. As this Nova will become a daily driver, its new owner wants it to be a comfortable experience on a daily basis.

Modern refinements should transform the handling of the Nova according to the YouTuber, especially combined with the four-disc brakes at the front and rear. Air conditioning is another mod-con that the Nova will have. Originally, the Nova had a four-speed manual transmission, and it will retain a manual transmission after the rebuild.

A five-speed Tremec is on the cars for this restoration. The YouTuber chose this as it requires no modifications to work with the Nova, and it should drop right into the muscle car. Overdrive will help the Chevrolet get better fuel mileage on longer road trips