Black Without A Roof: Why This 1962 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Roadster Conversion Defies Every Nova Rule

The 1962 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Roadster started as a 400 Series convertible before a full custom transformation into a true roadster. This award winning build replaces the original structure with a mandrel bent 2×4 inch box tube chassis and eliminates the convertible top entirely. PPG Super Jet Black Single Stage paint and smoothed firewall create a seamless street rod presence. With 9k miles shown and a 540ci big block under a cowl induction hood it blends show detail with brutal displacement. Jet Black Roadster Conversion And Art Morrison Foundation Exterior execution focuses on structural conversion rather than simple custom touches. The body was reshaped into a roadster configuration with no convertible top and no side glass after the wheel wells were slightly tubbed. Charles McElwee handled shaving and welding while KR Custom Body Works completed the design and PPG Super Jet Black Single Stage application. Inside and underside surfaces were powder coated by Kitsap Powder Coating for long term durability. Chrome work was performed by Art Brass of Seattle and EFS of Bremerton to show standard. Buff Tan Cabin With Custom Console And Digital Gauges The cabin pairs traditional materials with modern instrumentation. Glide SS2 front bucket seats and a modified rear seat were upholstered in buff tan leather by Gabes Custom Interiors along with wool carpets. A custom full length center console houses controls and links to a Ron Francis Wire Works wiring kit. Julianos seatbelts add period correct safety detail. A Billet Specialties steering wheel frames a Dakota Digital six gauge panel with speedometer tachometer and auxiliary readouts. A Panasonic stereo and Eclipse amplifier provide audio without disrupting the tailored look. 540 Cubic Inch Power And Morrison Chassis Dynamics Performance comes from a 540ci V8 installed in 2004 based on a bored Gen V 502ci block. The build uses a Callies 4.250 inch stroker crankshaft and produced 600 hp / 608 PS and 623 lb-ft / 845 Nm during dyno testing. Additional details include forged steel rods and Speed Pro 9.5:1 flat top pistons with Chevy Bow Tie rectangular port heads prepared by Air Research. Power reaches the rear through a TH400 three speed automatic prepared with Kevlar bands and a Hughes 3000 rpm converter. A Currie 9 plus center section with 3.50:1 Positraction and Dutchman 31 spline axles handles torque delivery with composure. Spec Detail Make Chevrolet Model Chevy II Nova Year 1962 Body Style Roadster Conversion Engine 540ci V8 Base Block Gen V 502 Power 600 HP Dyno Torque 623 LB-FT Dyno Transmission TH400 Automatic Chassis Art Morrison Box Front Suspension Mustang II Narrowed Rear Suspension Four Bar Morrison Brakes 11 Inch Disc Wheels Boyds Dune 17 Front Tires 215/50 Bridgestone Rear Tires 335/35 Bridgestone Paint PPG Super Jet Interior Buff Tan Leather Odometer 9k Miles Fuel Cell 15 Gallon Polished How It Compares To Other High End Nova Builds The custom Nova market splits between restored SS models and full chassis roadsters like this example. Compared to a stock 1962 Chevy II Nova 400 convertible or a steel bodied Pro Street Nova, this build offers Art Morrison engineering and show level finish throughout. Boyd Coddington style builds and similar Morrison chassis Camaros chase the same audience but rarely combine no top roadster design with big block torque and street manners. Winning Best of Show Best Interior and Best Paint plus selection for Fresno Autorama 2006 and top 50 for Barrett Jackson Premier Cup 2023 separates it from one off garage projects. The combination of buff tan leather and Jet Black paint elevates presentation. Ownership Pedigree And Auction Footprint Ownership history traces back to California origins and a 1995 purchase by the seller to begin the roadster project. Streetworks in Auburn Washington fitted the custom mandrel bent chassis and the build was completed in 2005. The listing includes build documents show trophies and a car cover with a clean Washington title in the sellers name. On Bring a Trailer the car reached a high bid of USD 47250 with reserve not met after 62 bids on September 7 2026. That result underlines its status as a trophy winning custom rather than a standard collector Nova. Maintenance focuses on preserving powder coating chrome plating and the Ron Davis aluminum four core radiator system. Disclaimer: Content on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Details, analyses, and opinions reflect current trends and personal views, not professional or financial advice. Always verify information with official sources before making any decisions. Editorial Note: This content may involve the use of AI-assisted tools for data organization and drafting, with final human editorial review to ensure technical precision. Source: bringatrailer.com