image credit: Good-guys.com

Every car project has different goals for what the machine will look like at completion. Some want to restore the car to the 100% accurate way it rolled out of the plant. While Others want to make the car their own, put their stamp on an already beautiful machine. The latter can be extremely difficult because in the muscle car world, it is extremely difficult to dream up something that hasn’t already been done before. But that is the challenge that we all love!

Anyone who has ever wondered how to make their car different from everything else out there, might want to look at Alex Covington’s 1967 Chevrolet Nova that was just named the 2011 Goodguys Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year.

The ’67 Nova that is rightfully named “innovator” is a one of a kind piece. According to the official press release, “Alex selected the Roadster Shop’s Jeremy and Phil Gerber to execute the build. The Gerber’s vision for the Nova was a hi-tech, low slung futuristic street machine combining an American classic with cutting edge innovation and masterful build quality. Soon after, project ‘Innovator’ began.”

The one of a kind nova has seen a multitude of upgrades, and even boasts an impressive 700 hp. But arguably the most impressive feat is how it performed the first time it hit the autocross track. It was literally the first time the car had ever been on pavement. “The car’s maiden voyage came Friday morning during the Street Machine of the Year AutoCross competition. Having never been driven on pavement, tension was high in the Roadster Shop camp but anxiety quickly turned to confidence when Innovator streaked to a 35.3 second lap time. It would hold up as the fastest lap in the entire competition!”

You can read the official press release from Goodguys below:

image credit: Good-guys.com

Columbus, OH – When Clover, South Carolina’s Alex Covington envisioned his dream ride, it was a 1967 Nova he could use as a daily driver. His vision quickly changed after he selected the Roadster Shop’s Jeremy and Phil Gerber to execute the build. The Gerber’s vision for the Nova was a hi-tech, low slung futuristic street machine combining an American classic with cutting edge innovation and masterful build quality. Soon after, project “Innovator” began.

Covington’s faith in the Roadster Shop’s ability to deliver a top quality car was rewarded when “Innovator” won the Goodguys 2011 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year award Saturday evening, July 9th at the Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone in Columbus, Ohio.

When Chevrolet’s Clare MacKichan designed the world’s first Nova concept in 1961 he was quoted as saying “There was no time for experimentation or doodling around with new ideas from either the engineers or from us in design. It had to be a basic-type car.” One can only imagine the sheer pleasure he’d get from seeing what the Roadster Shop pulled off with his production model.

Every panel on Covington’s Nova has been reworked and redesigned. The top was chopped ¾ of an inch, the fenders were re-shaped and sloped, new body lines and wheel well openings were made and a new rocker panel profile continues around the entire vehicle. The headlights and grill assembly are completely redesigned and hand fabricated as are the tail light bezels. The PPG white is complimented by custom satin accents of charcoal, sliver and bright yellow.

Power is generated via a 700hp GM LSX in a completely handmade engine bay with machined panels and custom intake. Inside the cabin is handmade dash and console assembly, full roll cage and race buckets covered in black and white leather. Illuminated headliner and floor inserts are as futuristic as it gets.

“Innovator” rides on a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis with a 3 link rear suspension and Watts linkage. Afco remote reservoir shocks cushion the ride. Giant Baer brakes provide extreme stopping power on-track or on the street. Eric Brockmeyer designed the custom center lug 7-spoke wheels.

The car’s maiden voyage came Friday morning during the Street Machine of the Year AutoCross competition. Having never been driven on pavement, tension was high in the Roadster Shop camp but anxiety quickly turned to confidence when Innovator streaked to a 35.3 second lap time. It would hold up as the fastest lap in the entire competition!

The top five finalists for the Goodguys 2011 Optima Batteries Street machine of the Year, the most impressive crop to date, included Joe Brown, Lafayette, LA (1967 Mustang), Alex Covington, Clover, SC (1967 Nova), Gerry Kerna, Cranberry Township, PA (1962 Chevy II), Matt Lazich, Austin, TX (1969 Mustang)  and Alex Stoner, Scottsdale, AZ (1970 Mustang).