New project. Is it rare???

Big Steve · Addicted!

New project. Is it rare???

Big Steve · Addicted!

Here is a link to the photos. Not sure why I can't get them to post.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=c4dde89d88ae3f89&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&id=C4DDE89D88AE3F89%21340&sff=1#cid=C4DDE89D88AE3F89&id=C4DDE89D88AE3F89%21342

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=c4dde89d88ae3f89&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&id=C4DDE89D88AE3F89%21347&sff=1

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

No idea on numbers produced but remember by 1975 performance was basically graphics and few of the exulted models even existed. A Nova SS in '75 is pretty uncommon. The 350 would be no different that a 9C1 police car although the fact that it has a 350 is something and with a manual trans even more impressive. Sounds like a neat car.

unburt · Guru

That is a really neat car , my brother had a 75 ss bench seat 4spd yellow black and i think in 79 it had about 30k on it. The car was really nice and now i realize how rare it was.I had a 75 custom and loved that car, would love to find a piece like yours.
They arent really popular years but i think they have a nice style same as Appolo/ventura/Pheonix. The 4spd is very rare. Hemmings did a story on one and mentioned stick cars werent made, i wrote to the editor and corrected him on that.
I do remember my brother having a few races with Z28s of the era and he would regularly beat them.
I am really pumped about seeing some pics.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

from the internet

Richard also explains how this Nova is special in even a few more ways.

During 1975, the California plant built special police cars with the Police Car 9-C1 package. This meant that the chassis was beefed up with all sorts of heavy duty parts and the 350 that came in the car had a special cam and 4 bolt mains.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

427carl wrote:
from the internet

Richard also explains how this Nova is special in even a few more ways.
During 1975, the California plant built special police cars with the Police Car 9-C1 package. This meant that the chassis was beefed up with all sorts of heavy duty parts and the 350 that came in the car had a special cam and 4 bolt mains.

Hmm, I'm going to check on the cam part. I don't think so...

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

No, the parts book says all 75-76 Nova cams are the same.

Very neat car though, and as stated I would think pretty unusual.

Big Steve · Addicted!

I found this info on Steve's Nova site. Seems wierd that this guy has the only one ever built with the 9C-1 Opton. Not saying that mine is, but only one ever made???? But pretty low numbers on the SS cars just the same.Did antbody try the photo links I posted in my second post? All the pics of the car are on there.

http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94196

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

I tried the link but goes to a sign in page so I didn't go any further.

If you want to email them to me I can post them.

sd396beaumont@yahoo.ca

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

SD 396 wrote:
I tried the link but goes to a sign in page so I didn't go any further.

Yes, same for me.

68 327 4spd · Poncho Master!

same

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Police Novas

In the late 1970s, Chevrolet's 9C1 police package Nova was the ultimate squad car.

Chevrolet made some "test mule" '74 police package Novas, but it didn't start to produce them in masse until the 1975 model year. By then catalytic converters and only around 160-175hp were the norm. (In those days, cop cars had to pass the same emissions standards as civilian cars. From the early '80s, they only meet federal emissions standards.)

Chevy made a sample for the LASD tests in 1974. They were so impressed that they immediately ordered another fifteen for field testing. They then bought eleven of them, and Fountain Valley, CA bought the remaining four. The Nova was redesigned for 1975, but this only improved the handling and even the ride quality of the actual production 9C1s.

With only 170hp, they could do 0-60 in 8.5 seconds and top out at 125 MPH with police running gear. Considering the emissions controls and a standard-output engine, a top end of over 120 was spectacular. The quarter mile trap speed was 85 MPH. This car could outrun the L82 Corvette!

The police 350s had more heavy-duty components (e.g., tougher valve springs) that improved durability. They didn't get any performance-enhancing modifications.

The transmission was a special heavy-duty police issue Turbo Hyrdamatic 350. It had an auxiliary fluid cooler and recalibrated shift points. Its higher line pressure allowed it to "spool up" more quickly, giving a slight acceleration edge. Its shifting was quicker and more precise.

The cooling system was heavy duty. This car could idle or run "pedal-to-the-metal" for a long time without overheating.

The brakes were oversized, heavy duty units designed to stop a 4500lb Impala towing a 7000lb trailer. On top of that, they had special heavy duty linings. The Nova could decelerate at 1.2 Gs! The 9C1s also had a more responsive Z28 steering gear and many Z28 suspension parts.

Chevrolet put wiring in place for the overhead light bars and under-dash wiring for radios.

Cops liked the the Nova 9C1s so much because of their excellent handling and decent performance. While they were only designed to be patrol-class cars for city use, they were still just as fast as some pursuit cars of that era.

1976 Chevrolet Nova 9C1 The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) was the launch customer for the '75 9C1 Nova after a prototype took their 1974 test by storm. In 1976 alone, the LASD ordered 222 9C1 Novas. After such a well known agency selected it the car, it caught on.

Until 1979, it was the urban squad to beat, even against the top-notch Chrysler compact offerings (Aspen and Volare). Ford's line of Maverick and Fairmont squad cars never came close. The Nova beat up the AMC Matador 401 after catalytic converters and weight strangled its performance. Since Chrysler was the benchmark of the time, the underdog police Nova 9C1s were exceptional. The Nova 9C1 was one of the best handling road cars available. It was right up there with the 1979-81 R-body Chrysler squads. It could pull .825 Gs on the skidpad. This is better than the modern Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Civilian buyers got tired of the paint-on image substituting for power in late '70s sport cars. With the help of car magazine hype, people began buying Nova 9C1s for their actual performance and handling.

Unfortunately, the Nova did have some drawbacks. The combination of mucho power and little weight made the car impractical on wet leaves, snow, or ice. Some city police departments considered them too powerful. The rear seats are already cramped; imagine how much more cramped they must be with a protective mesh screen installed to protect the cops from prisoners. And the exhaust was poorly positioned in some of the cars. A former Rochester, NY cop described a "rotten egg" smell and intense heat coming from the catalytic converter which was installed directly below the driver's seat.

Despite these drawbacks, the Nova was "the one thing I looked forward to each day" for that Rochester cop.

The Nova was not the only GM X-body squad car. Pontiac had a Ventura and Phoenix package from at least 1976. It was very similar to the Nova 9C1 package. The top engine was a big-block Oldsmobile "Rocket" 4-V 350. By 1978, the top engine was a Pontiac 4-V 301; the 350 was used only in California or high-altitude emissions areas. But because of the small block's better fit and lower price, the Nova was more popular. In Madison, WI, the city police department used Nova 9C1s for many years. One officer says that he likes the Nova squad car better than modern Caprices and Crown Victorias because of its power/handling balance and smaller-car agility.

Chevrolet concurrently made a 9C1 Nova and Malibu in 1978, and completely discontinued the 9C1 Nova in 1979.

California and midwestern cab companies picked many up these cars after they were retired from police duty. Some still drive these Novas to this date.

Comments on the 9C1 Nova from some current and former cops:

I don't remember what the horsepower rating was, but the cars were not altered. They came right from the factory. I remember another problem the cars had, they never handled the light bar too well. Fuses would blow while we were responding to calls, so you never knew if the lights were on during daylight hours and we had to look in store windows for the reflection, just to check. Later the factory sent some heavy duty wiring fix and it worked fine.

Phillip Goodwin

Here's a guy who discovered a 9C1 Nova after purchasing it:

Around 1991 I purchased a four door 1978 Nova from a guy in Poughkeepsie NY for around $800. Being a Nova fanatic, noticed the 120 mph speedometer and the fact that there was a three gauge panel where the radio should have been. After getting the car home, I found some poor bondo work covering up holes in the roof, both pillars next to the windshield, and the drivers side rear quarter panel. Another oddity was the omission of an antenna of any kind for radio. The back seat was set back farther in the car then it is in other Novas, and the cushion was much thicker. The car also had power locks in the rear, but there were no knobs inside to lock or unlock the doors manually. The car had a 350 four barrel engine and a TH400 trans. Also some time after I purchased it, a friend and I were cleaning it out, and my friend found some sort of field interrogation forms or some such thing under the back seat. They were imprinted with a seal from a police dept in New Jersey.

Thomas Herring

Here's a guy whose 9C1 rental car Nova saved his butt:

I am Canadian, but was living in California for the summer of 1978 working for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach. Two friends and I flew down to San Diego and rented a very innocent looking baby-blue (metallic) 78 Nova which was a Hertz 'Mexico Car' complete with a protective underplate below the floor pan and engine as well as the full compliment of police special equipment. This included a 350 V8 I believe and was the best handling small car I ever drove (until I got my first Mustang.) That Nova would go like a bat out of hell!! We were chased back to the border by a Mexican cop in a major Monaco over some alleged parking violation and we got all the way there safely. The border guards took a dim view him following us so he f*cked off. That Nova really saved our bacon.

Dan Perley

Many thanks go to Seth Ellestad for providing the bulk information. Thanks also goes out to Phillip Goodwin, Jeneth Hawke and Don Seributra.

timbuk · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

its a SS hatchback that makes it real rare most were trunks full ss guages some custom novas were 4 speeds inside looks like my buddys 75 custom 4sp nice project for sure,also vinyl top wow

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Required Elements of the 9C1 Police Package
350-4 BBL V8 Engine (RPO code LM1)
Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission (RPO code M40)
Power Steering (RPO code N41)
Police Tires (COPO code 5EK bias-belted or 5FF fabric radials)
Heavy Duty Front Seat (COPO code 6C1 bench or 6B9 bucket seat)

Standard Features of the 9C1 Police Package
Padded Sport Steering Wheel
120 MPH Speedometer
3.08 axle ratio, front and rear anti-roll bars, special springs, 14" x 7" wheels and special steering ratio
Engine Durability Mods
Heavy Duty Brakes w/Semi-metallic Brake Linings
Heavy Duty Battery and Alternator
Heavy Duty Radiator w/Heavy duty fan & clutch
Trans Cooler
Heavy Duty Rear Seat (COPO code 6C2)

Big Steve · Addicted!

Thanks SD 396 for posting the pics for me. Good news, Dropped a battery in, Replaced a bad fuel line and fired it up on the old gasin it. Runs great. So I did some more checking. It is a LM1 350, Muncie M20 trans and a 3:31 posi diff. But I can't find anything police interceptor on the car. The original owner claims it has the interceptor 350, but how??? and how would you prove it??? Brakes even worked enough to do a burnout. And the original space saver spare and can to inflate it is still there. I'm kinda liking this car. Haha

Big Steve · Addicted!

Here is what Wikipedia says about the LM1.

LM1
The LM1 is the base 5.7 L (350 cu in) with a 4-barrel carburetor (usually with a Rochester Quadrajet) in passenger cars until 1988. Throughout its lifespan, it received either a points, electronic, and/or computer-controlled spark system, to conventional and feedback carburetors.

LM1s were superseded with the L05 powerplant after 1988.

The other list I found shows it as an option from 69-88. It also shows A LM1 Police engine option separate from the LM1.

This list is off the 73-87 Chevy truck web site. You can see the LM1 all throughout the years. Unfortionately, I just can't find the 9C1 code anywhere on the build sheet. Any other ideas on confirming it? I appreciate the help.

FY stamp RPO CID appl VIN HP BBLS Body/Comments
1974 CMK 350 t400 NB2 pol/taxi - 4 full size
1975 CML 350 155 4 Camaro
1976 CML 350 LM1 L 165 4 F X
1980 CML 305 LG4 H 155 4 Camaro
1980 CML 350 LM1 L 190 4 Z-28
1975 CMM 350 LM1 165 4 A B F
1975 CMN 350 LM1 L 165 4 A B F
1980 CMN 305 LG4 H 155 4 G
1991 CMP 350 L98, a/t 8 240 TPI Firebird
1974 CMR 350 tur hydro trans. - 145 2 A
1978 CMR 350 m/t L82 4 220 4 Vette/Z-28
1980 CMR 305 auto trans. H LG4 155 4 full size
1974 CMS 350 m/t, 4 spd 185 4 Camaro
1978 CMS 350 a/t L82 4 220 4 Vette
1980 CMS 305 auto trans. H LG4 155 4 full size
1974 CMT 350 t4OO L82 245 4 Camaro/Chevy II
1978 CMT 350 LM1 L 170 4 B
1980 CMT 305 auto trans. H LG4 155 4 full size/Chevy II
1975 CMU 350 145 - - 2 A F X
1975 CMX 350 145 - 2 full size
1975 CMY 350 145 - - 2 FXB
1970 CNA 302 manual trans. - 290 4 Nova/Kingswd
1982 CNA 350 Police LM1 L 185 4 B
1970 CNB 302 tur hydramatic 290 4 Nova
1982 CNB 350 Police LM1 L 185 4 B
1970 CNC 307 manual trans. - 200 2 A F X
1970 CND 307 manual 4 spd - 200 2 A F X
1970 CND 350 manual trans. - 250 2 B
1970 CNE 307 Powerglide - 200 2 A F X
1970 CNF 307 tur 350 trans. - 200 2 A F X
1982 CNF 350 Police LM1 L 185 4 B
1970 CNG 307 m/t 200 2 El Cam/Chevy II
1970 CNH 307 Powerglide 200 2 El Cam/Chevy II
1982 CNH 350 Police LM1 L 185 4 B/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNI 350 manual trans. - 250 2 AFX
1970 CNJ 350 manual trans. - 300 4 A F X/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNK 350 Powerglide - 300 4 A F X/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNM 350 Powerglide - 250 2 A F X/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNN 350 tur 350 - 250 2 A F X
1970 CNP 350 4 spd, pol/taxi - 250 2 Caprice/Bel Air/Kingswd
1971 CNQ 350 manual trans. - 300 4 full size
1970 CNR 350 tur hydro trans - 300 4 Caprice/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNS 350 Pwrglide, pol/taxi - 300 4 Caprice/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CNT 350 t/h trns, pol/taxi - 300 4 Caprice/Bel Air/Kingswd
1978 CNT 350 auto trans. L - - full size
1970 CNU 350 Powerglide trans. 250 2 full size
1970 CNV 350 tur hydro trans. 250 2 Caprice
1970 CNW 350 Pwrglide, pol/taxi 250 2 Caprice
1970 CNX 350 t/h trns, pol/taxi 250 2 Caprice
1976 CPA 305 vins; 76:Q, 77:U LG3 145 2 F X
1980 CPA 267 L39 J 120 2 G
1976 CPC 305 vins; 76:Q, 77:U LG3 145 2 F X
1980 CPC 267 auto trans. J L39 120 2 G
1980 CPD 267 J L39 120 2 Camaro
1980 CPH 267 auto trans. J L39 120 2 full size
1976 CPJ 305 LG3 Q 140 2 F X
1978 CPJ 305 LG3 U 145 2 X
1977 CPK 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1977 CPL 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1980 CPL 267 L39 J 120 2 full size
1977 CPM 305 LG3 U 145 2 B X
1980 CPM 267 L39 J 120 2 G
1977 CPR 305 LG3 U 145 2 B
1980 CPR 267 L39 J 120 2 G
1977 CPS 305 LG3 U 145 2 X
1977 CPT 305 LG3 U 145 2 X
1977 CPU 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1977 CPX 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1977 CPY 305 LG3 U 145 2 F A X
1978 CPZ 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1958 CO 283 m/t, 3 spd 230 4 Vette
1958 CR 283 m/t, 3 spd 250 FI Vette
1975 CR2 350 Chevelle
1977 CRA 305 LG3 U 145 2 A
1982 CRA 305 LG4 H 145 4 F B G/Chevelle/Monte
1982 CRA 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 145 4 F G B
1977 CRB 305 LG3 U 145 2 B
1975 CRC 350 F A X/Chevy II
1977 CRC 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1972 CRD 350 tur hydro, A.I.R. L65 165 2 Camaro/Bel Air/Kingswd
1975 CRD 350 - F A X/Chevelle/Monte
1977 CRD 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1970 CRE 350 tur 350 300 4 A F X
1975 CRF 350 B
1977 CRF 305 LG3 U 145 2 A
1972 CRG 350 man trans, A.I.R L65 165 2 Camaro
1970 CRH 400 265 2 A
1978 CRH 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CRJ 350 m/t, 4 spd J L48 165 4 Vette
1972 CRK 350 t/h A.I.R. L48 200 4 Nova
1975 CRK 350 tur 400 J L48 165 4 Vette
1972 CRL 350 m/t, A.I.R. L48 200 4 Nova/Monte
1975 CRL 350 h/p, 4 spd T L82 205 4 Vette
1977 CRL 305 LG3 U 145 2 Starfire
1975 CRM 350 tur 400, h/p T L82 205 4 Vette
1977 CRM 305 LG3 U 145 2 Starfire
1975 CRR 350 Camaro
1972 CRS 350 a/c, tur 400, A.I.R. LT1 255 4 Vette
1972 CRS 350 a/t, a/c L LT1 255 4 Vette
1975 CRS 350 F B
1982 CRS 267 E2ME carb. exc Cal J - 2 Malibu
1970 CRT 350 solid cam LT1 360 4 A
1972 CRT 350 4 sp]d, A.I.R. L LT1 255 4 Vette
1972 CRT 350 LT1 255 4 Vette
1975 CRT 350 - - F X
1976 CRT 350 - 165 4 Vette
1977 CRT 305 LG3 U 145 2 Starfire
1975 CRU 350 A B F X
1978 CRU 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CRW 350 full size
1978 CRW 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CRX 350 - 155 4 A B
1975 CRX 350 - 145 2 F X
1978 CRX 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CRY 350 full size/Bel Air/Kingswd
1978 CRY 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CRZ 350 F B X
1978 CRZ 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1958 CS 283 m/t, 3sp, hi lift cam - 290 FI Vette
1973 CSA 400 tur hydro trans. LE2 U 175 2 B
1976 CSA 400 LT4 U 175 4 A/Bel Air/Kingswd
1973 CSB 400 tur hydro trans. LE2 U 175 2 Caprice
1976 CSB 400 LT4 U 175 4 A
1973 CSC 400 t/h trans., Calif LE2 U 175 2 Caprice
1973 CSD 400 t/h trans., Calif LE2 U 175 2 Caprice
1976 CSF 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 A B
1972 CSH 350 tur hydro, pol/tax 165 2 A B/Bel Air/Kingswd
1975 CSH 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 A B
1972 CSJ 350 manual trans. 165 2 B/Bel Air/Kingswd
1976 CSJ 400 a/t LT4 175 2 B
1973 CSK 400 tur hydro trans. LE2 U 175 2 B
1973 CSL 400 t/h, NB2 LE2 U 175 - full size
1973 CSM 400 t/h trans., Calif LE2 U 175 2 Caprice
1975 CSM 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 Sprint
1975 CSR 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 B
1975 CSS 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 B
1975 CST 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 B
1974 CSU 400 t350 U LT4 175 4 Chevelle
1974 CSU 400 t4OO NB2 U LT4 175 2 full size
1974 CSW 400 a/t U LT4 175 2 B
1974 CSW 400 t4OO U LT4 175 2 full size
1976 CSW 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 A B
1974 CSX 400 t350 U LT4 175 4 A B/Kingswd
1976 CSX 400 LT4 U LT4 175 4 A B
1958 CT 283 m/t, 3 spd 245 8 Vette
1972 CTA 400 tur hydramatic LE2 U 175 2 B
1974 CTA 400 a/t U LT4 175 2 A B
1978 CTA 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1970 CTB 350 high perf, 4 spd LT1 350 4 F X A
1972 CTB 400 man trans., A.I.R. 4 Caprice
1974 CTB 400 t/h trns, pol/taxi 175 2 Caprice
1975 CTB 400 a/t 175 4 A
1978 CTB 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1970 CTC 350 high perf, tur 400 - 320 4 A/Bel Air/Kingswd
1970 CTC 350 LT1 - 360 4 F X
1974 CTC 400 t/h trans., Calif - 175 4 A B
1978 CTC 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1974 CTD 400 tur hydro trans. 175 4 Caprice
1978 CTD 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza/Bel Air/Kingswd
1978 CTF 305 LG3 U 145 2 Monza
1978 CTH 305 LG3 U 145 2 F X
1974 CTJ 400 tur hydro trans. 175 4 B/Bel Air/Kingswd
1978 CTJ 305 LG3 U 145 2 Nova
1972 CTK 307 tur hydramatic 130 2 A F X
1974 CTK 400 t/h, pol/taxi, Calif - 4 Caprice
1978 CTK 305 LG3 U 145 2 F X
1970 CTL 350 4 spd trans. 300 4 Vette
1972 CTL 350 tur hydramatic L65 165 2 A F X
1975 CTL 400 LT4 U 175 4 B A
1978 CTL 305 LG3, a/t U 145 2 B
1970 CTM 350 tur 400 300 4 Vette
1975 CTM 400 LT4 U 175 4 B
1978 CTM 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1970 CTN 350 high perf, a/c, m/t - 350 4 Vette
1970 CTO 350 h/p, a/c, m/t - 350 4 Vette
1970 CTP 350 h/p, t/ign., m/t - 350 4 Vette
1970 CTQ 350 h/p, t/ign, a/c, m/t - 350 4 Vette
1970 CTR 350 spec hi perf, m/t LT1 370 4 Vette
1975 CTR 400 LT4 U 175 4 B A
1978 CTR 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CTS 400 LT4 U 175 4 B
1970 CTU 350 H.E.I., sp hiper, m/t LT1 370 4 Vette
1975 CTU 400 LT4 U 175 4 A B
1970 CTV 350 s h/p, m/t, t/ign. LT1 370 4 Vette
1975 CTW 400 LT4 U 175 4 B
1978 CTW 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1975 CTX 400 LT4 U 175 4 A B
1978 CTX 305 LG3 U 145 2 G
1976 CTY 400 LT4 U 175 4 B
1976 CTZ 400 LT4 U 175 4 B
1958 CU 283 m/t, 3sp, hi lift cam - 270 8 Vette
1975 CUA 350 m/t, 4 spd J L48 165 4 Vette
1980 CUA 305 LG4 H 155 4 B
1988 CUA 350 L98, a/t 8 225 TPI Firebird
1975 CUB 350 4 spd trans. J L48 165 4 Vette
1977 CUB 350 LM1 L 170 4 B
1980 CUB 305 LG4 H 155 4 B
1977 CUC 350 LM1 L 170 4 B
1980 CUC 305 LG4 H 155 4 B
1975 CUD 350 h/p, 4 spd T L82 205 4 Vette
1977 CUD 350 LM1 L 170 4 B
1980 CUD 305 LG4 H 155 4 B

Home

forespeed · Poncho Master!

Steve, as a long time member of NNN, I have seen and heard quite a bit about the last design Novas from 75-79.

In 1990, I attended a Super Chevy Show in Atlanta, GA and a vendor from NC had pictures of a couple cars he had for sale. My son was about to get his license and I was looking for a car suitable for a few modifications and cheap enough to let him drive it to school.

One of the cars for sale was a 1978 Nova, black with a black interior, bench seat, 4 spd, 305 2bbl with only 32,000 miles on it. I went home that week and hooked up the trailer. We drove to NC the following weekend and bought the car. Over the years we owned it, I installed a 327/350hp cam, edlebrock intake and 4bbl carb. Z-28 steering box, 78 Z-28 differential (3.42 posi). Keystone Classic 15" rims and 60 series tires. I bought a larger front sway bar (1 1/8") and added a rear sway bar. After market guage panel under the dash.

The only options on this car when new, were radio, 4 spd, dual exhaust and 305 V-8. After all the modifications this car was a joy to drive on the highway. It hugged the curves and with the 3.42 gear, you could downshift to 3rd and really drive through the corners.

Now to your car, all the Nova police cars were 4 drs. There is only one guy that I know of that has a regular 2 dr Nova with the 9C1 option package documented to have been ordered when new. I would guess that the easiest way to verify the 9C1 on your car would be a rear swaybar. Another item of interest is my 78 had a Saginaw 4 spd and I always assumed they were all Saginaw trans in the 75-79 cars. In 75-79 the 350 V-8 cars were rare to begin with but the combo of that pkg with the SS and especially the hatchback is very very unique. I have always felt, if I was going to own another car from this era. It would first need to be a hatchback and if possible a 79 model because they stopped production mid-year in 79 to start selling the Citation. The production numbers for 79 are much lower. Don't forget to check under the seats and on top of the gas tank for a build sheet.

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

You can also get the paperwork from VVS as the car was sold in Canada new. This will give you a list of all the options.

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I have a Mechanics Illustrated from 1975 where Tom McCahill tested a 9C1 Police Nova. I also used to have a Wheelspin News test of an undercover 76 Police Nova. That one had an emissions option to replace the catalytic converter with other systems more like 1974, since unleaded fuel wasn't always available. A family friend tested & wrote for Wheelspin News and he regularly showed up at our house with a test car. I don't think he tested that one, but I remember rides in a Mustang II Stalion V8 & a really early 77 Thunderbird, plus the 2nd BMW 633 in Canada (I remember being impressed).

Way back around 1980 a guy I knew had a 75 Nova SS, LM1, M20 (perhaps MM4 Saginaw) plus the 3.42 gearset. It had orginal paint but it was getting rusty. Greg (the owner) swapped out the LM1 for a 28,000 mile Chevy 250 six, seeing as the gas bills for daily driving were adding up. Some new paint & not great but good enough bodywork he had a winter beater. R.I.P. Nova SS.

I would say your new project was uncommon when new and moreso now. The trans would not be a Muncie in 75 but a Saginaw 2.54 1st. GM phased out the Muncies in favor of Warner Super T10s. Pontiac had been using the ST10s since about 1971 (M22s were Muncies until being dropped after 72).

If you have time, check out the GM Heritage website for a PDF download of complete SAE Specs for your car. That would tell a lot, straight from the horse's mouth. Sorry, I don't have the link.

Big Steve · Addicted!

I took out the passenger seat and got a look at the build sheet. It is not in very good shape, so hard to read some of it. But the portion with engine and trans was good. I was able to confirm it came with the LM1 engine option and an M20 trans. I am gonna send away for a copy of the original build sheet so I can Confirm the rest of the options. I appreciate all the stories and information guys. Keep it comin. Haha

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Are you going to restore it ?

Big Steve · Addicted!

Here is a portion of the build sheet with engine and trans code. resized build sheet.jpg

Big Steve · Addicted!

Thanks 68sd. Here are some more close up pics of the build sheet.