FYI: At Gatebil’s 2024 Main Event in Norway, Andreas Soli’s 1969 Chevrolet Nova "GTR" stood out among the scores of classic American muscle cars competing in the Extreme Time Attack series. This uniquely modified Nova, a blend of cutting-edge performance and street-legal functionality, captured attention amidst the smoke and chaos of the event.
From Humble Beginnings to Headline Act
Originally a base model with an inline-six engine, Andreas has transformed his Nova into a remarkable machine over a decade of meticulous work. Starting with the structural enhancements, Andreas built a custom aero kit in his garage, including a front splitter, air dam, side skirts, and rear diffuser. The crowning feature is a massive 1,810mm wide carbon fiber wing from a British Stealth B6 GT1 racer, mounted on custom brackets.
High-Performance Running Gear
The Nova’s wheels are indicative of its dual-purpose build. For time attacks, Andreas opts for 18×10.5-inch and 18×11-inch GS Performance 2002R wheels with Yokohama A40 soft slicks. For drifting, he switches to 18×9.5-inch variants wrapped in 265/35R18 Sailun Atrezzo R01 rubber. Stopping power is ensured by a Chevrolet Corvette disc and caliper combination at the front and BAER brakes at the rear.
Precision Suspension and Steering
The suspension is advanced, featuring QA1 coilovers at both ends and a Corvette C6 front subframe matched with a custom three-link setup and Watts linkage at the rear. This combination provides the Nova with exceptional handling for both track and street use.
Interior: A Fusion of Classic and Modern
Inside, the car retains only the original Nova dashboard, now housing an Ecumaster ADU 7" display. The interior setup includes Sparco Circuit bucket seats, QSP six-point racing harnesses, and an FIA-approved roll cage. The center console, developed by Zyrus Engineering, features a billet DCT sequential shifter tailored for drifting.
Cutting-Edge Electronic Controls
A key feature of Andreas’ Nova is the OMP steering wheel equipped with an Ecumaster CANBUS card. This setup includes an eight-position switch for adjusting power levels, traction control, and buttons for rolling launch control and scramble boost. The modern start/stop button adds a contemporary touch, streamlining engine activation.
Under the Hood: A Beastly Heart
Powering this high-performance Nova is an aluminum 5.3-liter LH6 V8, chosen for its robust structure. It’s paired with two Precision Turbo 6266 turbochargers and HPO Motorsport 44mm wastegates, which produce a stunning 1,000 horsepower and 1,400 Nm of torque at 1.6 bar of boost. Cooling is managed by a custom-build intercooler, Hurricane radiator, and a Setrab oil cooler.
Transmission Setup
A BMW E92 M3 dual-clutch seven-speed transmission controlled by a Swedish DKGECU module ensures seamless power delivery, with the option for manual clutch engagement for drifting.
Versatility on Public Roads
While designed for extreme performance, this Nova is not confined to the track. Andreas regularly drives it on public roads during the summer and even embarked on a 10,000km road trip from Norway to Spain. Future plans include suspension enhancements and weight reductions to further refine this versatile muscle car.
In summarizing, Andreas Soli’s 1969 Chevrolet Nova "GTR" is a harmonic blend of classic aesthetics and modern engineering, exemplifying versatility and high performance both on the track and off.
For more insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
Donald Smith,
Editor of Automotive.fyi
