So this was at SEMA this year ...

[john norris]

… it’s been in development for a few years and I can’t seem to formulate an opinion.

My going in biases are, I like 69 Camaros, I don’t hate 69 Nova’s.

This is a 69 Nova with Camaro lines blended into the fenders. I should like it more than a 69 Nova. But I can’t seem to get there. It’s kind of awkward.

Your take?

Details:
https://www.motortrend.com/events/muscle-cars-restomods-sema-show-2021?slide=6
https://www.stateofspeed.com/2019/01/16/party-time/
https://www.motortrend.com/features/joe-rogan-1969-nova/

[flatisflat]

@john-norris I think it's reasonable to be pretty 'meh' on the matter. A single design element does not necessarily make a more attractive whole.

[sony1492]

@john-norris Credit to the builders but I wish this sort of bodywork wasn't so uncommon. People blow 6 figures on a hotrod with custom everything yet keep the stock lines, I think the real fun as a builder is in making something as visually unique on the exterior as it is under the surface.

One of my projects opted to use a custom 7" backspaced 20x10 front wheel instead of modifying the front fender line for clearance.(as in the wheel sits 3" deep into the wheelwell rather then being anywhere near flush, to keep the stock lines) Its kind of disappointing.

Digression aside, the nova looks incredible with the new wheel archs

[SilentbutnotreallyDeadly]

@john-norris
It's not my thing but I fully appreciate the craft that has gone into that.

[ClassicDatsunDebate]

@john-norris
Cudos to the builders, looks like it was well executed.
Personally, 68+ Novae don’t do anything for me. Also, personally, I really really don’t like wheels larger than 17” on muscle cars.

[phenotyp]

@john-norris It doesn't work. The top line of the front quarter panels is too high in relation to the midline of the car, and the swage line off the wheel arch cuts that in half again. If the overall height of the entire body (minus the wheels) were 20% lower, it might work. But there's no relationship to the rest of the body for it. It's just like... slapped on there. Which also describes the spoiler.
I'm sure the craftsmanship was great, but it's a well-executed poor concept.

[sony1492]

@phenotyp
I see what your saying but stock seems incredibly baren in comparison, and the space from the rear wheelwell to "haunch" is a massive blank

Could it have worked if they added flat material above the wheelwell moving the crease up and inline with the top of the grille? (Similar to the stock shallow line)

[phenotyp]

@sony1492 I don't think so. Now, if they could channel it a bit, drop a couple inches off the bottom of the body, enlarge the wheelwells a squinch... it might work.
Motor Trend actually did a pretty decent job, just dropping the whole thing about 1.5-2":

And they just kept it really clean. Adding lines doesn't help anything here-- now, if it were a subtle widening all around, and a sharper crease, I think you'd really have something. If I have some time tomorrow AM maybe I'll try sketching it up.

[pip bip]

@john-norris if you didn’t mention it I wouldn’t have realised that. Too subtle for me

[derp]

That's sexy as hell. I love it.