New member

[Mikemrb]

I've now owned my Nova for just over 42 years yes 42 years !!! it’s a Mk 1 ,it started with a bog standard VW 1500 which was slowly modified cams carbs etc. this the gave way to an S4 Lotus Twin cam SE engine great engine when it was running correctly ,but like every Lotus always leaking oil (alloy head, cast iron block and a steel sump all expanding at different rates ) this gave way to the engine in the car at the moment an Alfa Romeo 2000 Twin cam ,had to make my own adaptor plate and mod the gearbox to take the power but it's proved to be very reliable taking me all round Europe (France, Italy ,Switzerland, Germany ,Belgium) Unfortunately for some years it hasn’t been on the road due to other projects ,so my new year’s resolution is to give it a complete body off rebuild ,probably another engine change ,I like the look of a mid-transverse mounted 2lt Alfa twin spark engine and box .I shall post it’s progress as it goesnova.jpg

[Phill]

Respect Mike. 42 years ownership must be about a record. You have a huge amount of experience with this car and will be a very welcome member of this forum. You must post some pictures of your car (it's the law) and I look forward to hearing a lot more from you

[Dirk]

Welcome to the forum. Your plans sound interesting Ill look forward to seeing its progress, and photos :-)

Dirk

[BlueNova]

.... 'proved to be very reliable taking me all round Europe' ....

I can only echo Phill, ... huge respect!

Are you sure your Nova needs a full body off rebuild? It would be a shame after such terrific road going experience to end up like a lot of us on here (myself included!) with progress getting slower and slower as we strip everything back and life gets in the way.

I remember seeing a guy from the Netherlands who brought his Nova to Stoneleigh in 1989/90, but I've never heard of one which has actually travelled throughout Europe!

Looking forward to reading your future posts and as Phill says ... more photos!

Alistair

PS Just looked at your photo again ... so you've been all round Europe without lowered floorpans!

[steve]

Welcome to the forum, good to read about you car.
As others have said, keep the updates coming, look forward to following the build.

[islandman]

Welcome aboard, nice looking example. I thought I'd owned my a long time (30 years) but your is a whole new level. Do post more photos

[Mikemrb]

Respect Mike. 42 years ownership must be about a record. You have a huge amount of experience with this car and will be a very welcome member of this forum. You must post some pictures of your car (it's the law) and I look forward to hearing a lot more from you

Thanks I will certainly be posting photos of the progress

[Mikemrb]

.... 'proved to be very reliable taking me all round Europe' ....

I can only echo Phill, ... huge respect!

Are you sure your Nova needs a full body off rebuild? It would be a shame after such terrific road going experience to end up like a lot of us on here (myself included!) with progress getting slower and slower as we strip everything back and life gets in the way.

I remember seeing a guy from the Netherlands who brought his Nova to Stoneleigh in 1989/90, but I've never heard of one which has actually travelled throughout Europe!

Looking forward to reading your future posts and as Phill says ... more photos!

Alistair

PS Just looked at your photo again ... so you've been all round Europe without lowered floorpans!

Hi the pan is lowered 30mm on the driver’s side and I still use the original low profile seats, with Europe traveling it was great fun it caused a lot of attention when I parked in the casino square in Monaco the worst part of the journey was getting on the ferry ramps with little ground clearance, had to reverse onto one
Mike

[Peter]

Know what you mean about the attention, not in a Nova-SS but a Bond Bug, got swamped in Cologne.

[Buffy]

Hi
Welcome to the forum. We would all be interested to learn from your lengthy ownership time on any issues which you have had, lessons learned etc.
For example, what cooling system do you have ?
Many give advise, but you could be the yoda of knowledge !