70 Baldwin-Motion Nova

[SuperCars]

Both the prior (3rd) owner and the kid (4th owner) suspected it was a Motion, but neither were willing to pay the fee. The kid bought it from the third owner as a Project 396/375 Nova.

Before looking at the car, I was told by him on the phone it had original drivetrain, and everything to totally restore the car. What I found was that it had a camaro rear, trans with different VIN on it, and a re-stamped VIN on the block. The Body did have the original 3/8 single fuel line telling me it was 375HP car from GM. Little or nothing was there to restore the car. I've already started by buying parts, all NOS sheetmetal (quarters were radiused 2-3" higher for tires), fenders, etc, etc, as the car needs everything. I believe I will have 6 figures in restoration costs when done. Still a bargain, but not as much as it appears after it is done.

Kevin,

Being somewhat naive on Motion cars (I'm researching a couple of cars now however..), how critical is the fact that the original Motion installed drivetrain is gone? Are crate engines what you look for when trying to find a correct engine? Would the engine have carried a LS6 engine suffix or a "CE" suffix? Do you then have to find correctly dated transmission/rear or were these itmes also replaced by Motion? Can you list some of the features you look for when documenting one of these cars? What is your opinion on the value of the Motion cars, especially in light of the fact they were really engine conversions and speed shop stuff, as opposed to a COPO order? Any thoughts on the number of '68 Motion cars..both Camaro and Corvette?

Thanks,

Gregory

[Fhakya]

Congrats on another acquisition Kevin. Look anything like this one?

[SuperCars]

No, that's not it. Here is the picture of mine as found, and it is ugly! Mine did not have a Vinyl top. The quarters on mine are radiused only 2-3" higher by my measuring it. The Nova in the picture at Motion looks like it has much larger radius quarters, is a very cool looking car though. The hood sitting on top of my car in the picture is a non-SS hood from a different car.

[SuperCars]

Here is the engine compartment. The car had been out of use for 20+ years by my estimation. Note the welded tow bar brackets, the motor hold-down chain on the sub-frame, the fender well torched out for header tube.

[SuperCars]

Picture of the console. It had various things like rev-limiter, electronic ignition, much electric wire cut up that I couldn't make heads or talls of. It had a Mallory coil on the firewall, and holes drilled everywhere for equipment. Had a double fuel pump in trunk through hole punched in trunk,hoses where cut off, but still had aftermarket hoses and clamps at gas tank. Had Vintage correct traction bars, etc, etc.....

[TDW]

Kevin...Mallory coil? If you need one, I have an old Magspark that you can have,free.

[Mr70]

Who's Doing the Restoration on this Nova?

[DarrenX33]

Kevin- Thanks for he pictures.

[MosportGreen66]

How on earth did you ever suspect THAT nova to be a true Motion. You have some set of eyes!

-Dan