Meet One Of The Baddest Chevrolet Novas Rolling Around Ohio: Video

The Chevrolet Nova may have been overshadowed by its Chevelle bigger brother, but it remains one of the coolest vehicles Chevy put out during the epitome of muscle car culture in the 1960s. That golden era of automobiles sits as inspiration for Mike Cosculluela, who sought out to build a Chevrolet Nova that reminded him of the cars he saw as a child.

Specifically, per Cosculluela, he recalls hearing the distinct burble of a V8 as a paperboy 40 years ago before a Chevrolet Nova itself rounded the corner and not only frightened him, but inspired him. Since that encounter, he says he’ll never forget how that car made him feel, and it inspired him to build his own one day.

Now, in present, day, Cosculleula’s 1969 Nova sits as one of the meanest Nova builds in all of Ohio. After swapping out the original 286 engine and swapping in a proper V8, and creating one heck of a rake, the beastly Nova embodies the character of a 1960s racer. It lurches forward with authority when stomping on the throttle, creating clouds of smoke from the fat rear tires, while the front rubber decides which way forward it wants to go with a slight lift off the ground. It looks and sounds beastly.

Cosculleula states the car was ultimately inspired by his father, who passed away two weeks after completion. We’re sure dad was mighty proud. Have a look at the car in the video up above. And if you like this one, there’s going to be a full video dedicated to the black and gray Nova, too.