This past Saturday, June 7th, 2014 marked the day for the annual SoCal Nova’s BBQ, hosted by TCI Engineering. This show is a favorite for Nova owners, and car lovers alike! The show started promptly at 9:00AM and we were there to see the last few Chevy II’s rolling into the parking lot. 

TCI had their doors open as well, and we took that as the invitation to wander around their facilities. We spotted a Chevy II body, just waiting to receive brand new front and rear suspension. We went deeper into the fabrication area and saw a second generation Camaro up on a lift with a C10 sitting next to it with brand new front suspension bolted to the frame. 

From the fabrication shop we wandered into another building that held raw components. There was racks chocked full of parts; thousands of coil springs, shocks, nuts, bolts and everything else required to make a complete Nova suspension. Walking around all the buildings we noticed a few consistent characteristics of TCI: clean and organized. Everything was cleaned, with a location for every part in the facility. Attention to details like this gives a reassuring feeling of quality when bolting on a suspension system. 

Back outside, we took a stroll at all the Novas on display. There was every kind of Nova on display from original with a straight six, pro-street and Pro-Touring. One Chevy II that caught our eye was this 1964 convertible. At first, we walked right by it as the car looked it like would have barely made it there. Then we started noticing that this ’64 had more going on under the sheetmetal than we thought. 

While the cosmetics of the car were in dire need of help, the mechanical end of the car was in tip-top shape. We didn’t get a chance to catch up with the owner, but we are assuming that paint and interior will come next. The car sported an LS motor and accompanying transmission, along with a completely new front suspension clip. Taking a peek under her skirt, we noticed a complete four-link suspension with a Ford nine inch rearend. This car would easily fool people into thinking the car was still Grandma’s convertible. We saw the owner take off in this car, and in a blink of an eye it was gone.

Parked right next to the droptop was this ’67 coupe. What the vert lacked in cosmetics this car more than made up for it. This Nova received the same treatment of a powerful LS motor and modern suspension. However, the paint on this car was a mile deep and straighter than an arrow. A huge set of meats filled the wheel wells all the way around, showing that this car had lots of go along with the show. 

At noon, the smell of fresh cooked carne asada filled the air. With fresh street tacos, the chatter died down as Nova fans began to devour the Mexican food. The best part of this show, besides all the beautiful Novas was the people. Everybody has a smile on their face and was genuinely happy to be there. Thanks to TCI Engineering for hosting such a great show! Check out our gallery below!