Gibb COPO Nova Found

[luzl78]

He graduated high school in 1967 and bought that monster 427 nova in 1968 at age 18!

[DEW1968NOVA396]

How bout this site. Barn find bought Thursday, located all 4x owners in 4 days.

[luzl78]

Did you get that rear end code?

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Originally Posted by Carleen

Rick Gehrt
I bought one of those 427 Novas from Fred Gibbs Chevrolet In LaHarp and it was a beast!

Originally Posted by luzl78

Did you get that rear end code?

Tomorrow, was in yard, warmed up a little.

[1stGenFan]

Thanks for your willingness to share information about your car. Research is hard work sometimes, but with the help of others with similar interests, it becomes easier. Congratulations on your persistence after 20 years, that shows your patience required sometimes to own a car of this pedigree.

Your car is one of the few Fred Gibb Chevrolet ordered cars, built specifically for the racetrack. To have been touched by Dick Harrell makes it even more special. I understand as many as 23 of the Gibb COPO Novas went through the Dick Harrell Performance Center for additional tuning, upgrades, and some, but not all, with short block transplant to 427 status.

I have a particular interest in the Gibb COPO Chevy II's, being the steward for a time of the Fred Gibb Chevrolet "Little Hoss" 1967 Z28. Helen Gibb was gracious and shared all her information she had for the car when I was restoring it. I learned as much as I could about the dealerships racing activities from 1967 through 1971 when Fred left drag racing at the top. My friendship with Bill Porterfield, Dennis Hartwig, Jerry Burford, Kim Howie and Ray Morrison helped me learn about the COPO Nova program, and I always admired them for their passion for these cars.

Have fun with your research and restoration. There are a number of Chevy II/Nova experts on this site to help you. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need.

Ken Boje

[R68GTO]

Originally Posted by DEW1968NOVA396

CHEVY II. much

You definitely need to bring this thing to MCACN, I'm sure they would make room for you. I'll help you push it into it's spot - would love to see it in person!

[dykstra]

Originally Posted by luzl78

He graduated high school in 1967 and bought that monster 427 nova in 1968 at age 18!

That's a guy with his priorities in order!

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Originally Posted by 1stGenFan

Thanks for your willingness to share information about your car. Research is hard work sometimes, but with the help of others with similar interests, it becomes easier. Congratulations on your persistence after 20 years, that shows your patience required sometimes to own a car of this pedigree.

Your car is one of the few Fred Gibb Chevrolet ordered cars, built specifically for the racetrack. To have been touched by Dick Harrell makes it even more special. I understand as many as 23 of the Gibb COPO Novas went through the Dick Harrell Performance Center for additional tuning, upgrades, and some, but not all, with short block transplant to 427 status.

I have a particular interest in the Gibb COPO Chevy II's, being the steward for a time of the Fred Gibb Chevrolet "Little Hoss" 1967 Z28. Helen Gibb was gracious and shared all her information she had for the car when I was restoring it. I learned as much as I could about the dealerships racing activities from 1967 through 1971 when Fred left drag racing at the top. My friendship with Bill Porterfield, Dennis Hartwig, Jerry Burford, Kim Howie and Ray Morrison helped me learn about the COPO Nova program, and I always admired them for their passion for these cars.

Have fun with your research and restoration. There are a number of Chevy II/Nova experts on this site to help you. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need.

Ken Boje

Ken, amazing info. .... thanks. Were trying to see if MCACN 2025 is possible.
In the 80s, I had a 68 Camaro, with a hood like little Hoss. Hood bolted to Springs and latched. Didn't know what the car was then, possibly an SS, a lot of trim missing. I do remember it was a Norwood, BB, 4spd, 3.73, with power disc, and power steering. Original engines and trans was long gone. In the trunk was an Oval Port Holley Flanged GM Winters intake.
Hood was made in ADA Ohio, I think it was ACE? But forget.

Great site, the experts here make quick work of find history.

One Note: 4x of the owners of this Nova, Worked for Caterpillar, car never got further than 50mi from Peoria. When I worked there, the Tech Center was full of gear heads.

[DEW1968NOVA396]

Originally Posted by R68GTO

You definitely need to bring this thing to MCACN, I'm sure they would make room for you. I'll help you push it into it's spot - would love to see it in person!

Thinking, it should make MCACN, not sure how to get in that event, car does not run yet, might by then, logistics around area are unknown to me. We might if attending, have 5x people with knowledge of this car

[dykstra]

I live right outside of Peoria. I would imagine Jerry Huffman(RIP) would have known about this car.
Jerry owned a Chevrolet dealership in Farmington, IL.

Very cool that this car resided in Peoria, IL all these years.

Congratulations on such a significant car.

Dave Dykstra