Muscle mania attracts drag racer to Yenko Nova
For a time, Will Hedrich was obsessed with imported tuner cars. Now, his heart beats for good, old-fashioned American muscle.
He got his need for speed through a 1996 Honda Accord. Before jumping to conclusions, his was no mere gas-sipping, city commuter. Over many late nights, the craftsman built up its tiny VTEC engine and, for good measure, equipped it with an 80-horsepower shot of nitrous. Most weekend nights, he'd be found, right foot down, racing at Great Lakes Dragway across the border in Union Grove, Wisconsin.
While he had a blast and sure learned a lot, the zip and buzz was wearing off in 2016. “I was ready to give up my 'Fast and Furious' days and settle down with a good classic car,” the Gurnee resident says.
An area search in 2017 led him to a 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS coated in mesmerizing Pearl Blue paint. If Will wanted a ride from the land of red, white and blue, he certainly found it. This little muscle machine was sold new through Yenko Chevrolet, the Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, home of Don Yenko's legendary go-fast speed and COPO machines.
“I loved the look, and the bodywork and paint were outstanding,” Will says. The car was far from stock and for good reason - the original owner wrecked it in 1977.
For the next several years, subsequent owners patched it back together, with intentions ranging from gentle road cruiser to full-out drag car.
“The whole rear frame was cut at one point to make room for massive slicks” - the wide racing tires, Will says. “There was a lot of work that needed to be undone.”
That happened prior to Will's purchase, when the car went through a full overhaul. While the newly redone Nova was suitable for the streets, Will's inner gearhead couldn't help but want to make changes.
Under hood is a modern LS3 V-8 crate engine, paired to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. Will took things up a notch, adding a new camshaft, redoing the timing and adding a new oil pan.
The brakes also received an update, getting Wilwood calipers, new steel braided lines and a master cylinder and bigger booster. A custom fabricated gas tank was installed, along with braided fuel lines.
Not stopping there, all of the suspension springs were changed and Ridetech coilover shocks were installed.
As a tribute to the car's dealer heritage, a previous owner applied the iconic stripes and tri-color badges that Yenko used on his legendary Novas and COPO Camaros and Chevelles. Wanting to improve the look, Will removed those worn graphics and painted them on.
With his automotive switch complete, one has to wonder, are Will's quarter-mile days fully behind him?
Hardly. His future plans include bolting on a supercharger, a new set of exhaust headers and dialing it in to go even faster. Now that's an American dream.
Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com or COPOtheboook.com.