David Skinner's Nova KitCAR
  • My Nova Kit Car
    • Where It All Started
    • Specifications
    • Selected Build Photos
    • Nova Videos
    • BLOG
  • About
  • Contact

Welcome to My Nova Build

The Nova Kit Car

Nova Kit Car - Designed by Richard Oakes in 1971 and launched in 1972
Picture
This was my Nova Kit Car as it was when I purchased it second hand in 1989.  I have effectively rebuilt it twice, each time not being happy with the result so I went back and redid it to get it to where it is today.
Picture

A Brief History Of the Nova

Picture
In 1971 the Ford GT40, Corvette and Lamborghini Miura were the dream cars of the day, and so the combination of the lines of these and other considerations were to bring about the birth of the Nova. Financed by John Willment, Richard Oakes managed to talk a friend of his into joining him, a guy by the name of Phil Sayers who had taken Richards old job at Davrian. After almost a year of designing and mock-ups, and many modifications they finally found a ship builder that would give them financial support and provide the necessary workshop facilities.

Finally, the Nova based on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis went into production from the Southampton works known as Automotive Design and Developments Ltd (ADD). This was to become the home of the company for the next few years and because Richard and Phil had got it more or less right first time, (kits were priced at £750) success came quickly. The Nova went on to be sold in many countries known under different names and model variants such as Sterling (USA), Eureka (Australia), Eagle (South Africa) and Puma (Italy).

Richard Oakes penning one of his designs

The Nova's design inspiration was largely from these three classics of the period, which like the Nova these cars are still sought after today
Corvette C3
Picture
Lamborghini Miura
Picture
Ford GT40
Picture

My Nova Kit Car

My Nova kit car is still in the UK and whilst drivable with a valid MOT certificate, it's still unfinished and remains a work in progress (the reality is Nova's are never finished, just awaiting the next modification!). The main jobs left to finish it are detailed below. I am working through these each time I visit the UK :
  • Finish the wiring up of the alarm system
  • Finish the air conditioning / heater plumbing, wiring and air ducting 
  • Remake the centre console
  • Trim the interior (seats, dash, carpets etc..)
Check out my blog and use the menu's above to see more

Nova Resources

The best place to go for anything Nova related is the Euro-Nova Website and Euro-Nova Forum

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • My Nova Kit Car
    • Where It All Started
    • Specifications
    • Selected Build Photos
    • Nova Videos
    • BLOG
  • About
  • Contact