The Heart of GNRS 2026: Highlights from the ARP Booth
February 12, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Shade-Tree 1.6.
Okay, we weren’t quite that naive about what we read regarding upgrading to 1.6 rockers on our small-block Chevy for the first time, but it was close.
The engine in question was a decent runner with 30,000 miles on the mild-performance rebuild. The rebuilt engine was purchased used, and among its selling points were 0.030-over 9.5:1 pistons, moly rings, 1.5 roller rockers, a Performer RPM intake and a brand-new Holley 750cfm carburetor. The cam wasn’t a perfect match to the torque converter used in the previous installation nor was the final-drive gear ratio. As a result, the owner planned on stepping down on the cam chart to a Comp 286H-10 cam, which came with the engine in its original box. Also included were a brand-new factory Z28 oil pan and a factory timing chain cover to replace the cheap chrome pieces. For $300, the engine package was a deal, and one we couldn’t pass up. We sold the aforementioned chrome pieces and matching valve covers for $50, getting us the engine at the bargain price of $250, and we still had the new cam and lifters on our shelf.
MOLDED MONITORS
Installing A Covans Classic Molded Gauge Package: Covans Classic, located in Cumming, Georgia, offers a full line of ABS molded dash panels and glovebox doors for classic cars and trucks. The fully molded dashes are designed to be factory replacements, giving a smooth, custom look while accepting common 3-3/8-inch speedometer and tach and 2-1/16-inch oil pressure, water temp, fuel level and volt gauges. The instrument panels feature high-quality molding and are available with or without holes. They can be purchased in brushed aluminum, black, burl wood and carbon fiber. The panels can also be painted to match the interior.
SMOKIN’ SS – Part 4
As progress continues on the Smokin’ SS Monte Carlo, we see more and more function, as well as innovative details throughout the car, ensuring that this will not be your average street machine. Functional details such as a true cowl induction were not overlooked, but more than that, every part of this car has a function, and that reveals Davis’ racing background.
Spotlighter
The Alien
This ’67 Nova Is Back in Black
When firefighter Joe Chavez of Irving, Texas, was a senior in high school, he grew up in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and drove a ’66 Chevrolet Nova. “I had a lot of fun with that car. I called it the “Alien,” and everybody in town knew whose car it was,” Chavez says. Unfortunately, when Chavez relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 1985, he couldn’t afford to take his prized Nova along with him. As the years went by, he found himself regretting the decision more and more.
Author
Bob McClurg
Story and Photography
The Search Begins
“In 1990, the hunt was officially on. My wife, Michelle (who also owns a ’67 Nova of her own), and I made numerous road trips to Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and back home to New Mexico before I found what I was looking for,” Chavez says. Ironically, Chavez found his dream car in—of all places—Santa Rosa, New Mexico! “After purchasing a ’67 Nova SS fix-’er-upper in my hometown, I took the car over to Bozo’s Garage, where my half-brother Ernie Ortega works on street rods, to have some work done on it,” he says.
Bodywork and Paint Restoration
Once at Bozo’s, Ortega and owner Bozo Cordova replaced the ’67’s rear quarter panels and a small section of the Nova’s floor pan. They also hammered out all of the dents and repainted the ’67 black. “I also had them install a 400cid GM small block out of a wrecked Monte Carlo. Once I got the car back to Texas, I cleaned up the factory black vinyl interior, replacing the items which needed replacing. I then installed a set of 15-inch Cragar S/S wheels, just like I had in high school, and got the windows tinted. Finally, I had a presentable Nova, and started entering the car in car shows,” Chavez says.
Rear Suspension and Driveline Specs
As for technical information, the SS features a 3.73:1-geared GM 10-bolt live rear axle riding on a pair of mono-leaf Nova rear springs, Energy Suspension polyurethane suspension bushings, Air Lift airbags and Monroe shocks by Rick’s Independent Car Kare, located in Irving, Texas.
Front Suspension and Wheels
The front suspension on the ’67 was also completely rebuilt back to stock by the folks at Rick’s and features a pair of 2-inch dropped Easy Street front spindles, Energy Suspension polyurethane suspension bushings, Air Lift airbags and Monroe shocks. The aforementioned wheels and tires on the “Alien” measure 17×7 inches in front and 20×8 inches on the rear, and they roll on a set of P215/45xR17-inch front and P255/35×20-inch rear Federal radial rubber.
Engine Rebuild and Performance Upgrades
Chavez has since rebuilt the 400cid small block, and the engine now features a set of 0.030-inch overbore Speed Pro forged aluminum pistons, Crane cam and kit, a pair of GM double-hump cylinder heads with Crane Cams valvetrain hardware and Mickey Thompson valve covers, Holley Street Dominator intake and 650cfm Edelbrock 4-bbl carburetor, and a chromeplated twin-snorkel Nova SS air cleaner. The ignition is the factory GM HEI unit while the exhaust comes from Hedman Hedders and Flowmaster. Backing all of this up is the factory original Muncie four-speed transmission using a Hays clutch and pressure plate activated by a Hurst linkage.
Final Touches and Show Car Status
“In 2003, I decided to completely repaint the Nova. After looking around, I finally settled on painters Kirk and Jason Tyre. Kirk and Jason did a fine job spraying the Nova in DuPont Raven Black,” he says.
Awards and Recognition
Other upgrades include Chevrolet Bow Tie halogen headlights and Year One exterior trim. Chavez’s ’67 has won 100 car show trophies and awards at events like the Super Chevy Show, the Dallas Autorama and the Ft. Worth Rod & Custom Car Show. Needless to say, the “Alien” is back!
