As a retired firefighter who now spends his time working as a machinist and welder, 59-year-old Stephen Tucholsky Jr. has been following in the footsteps of his drag racer father all his life. Now, he’s busy banging gears in a sweet stick-shift 1966 Chevrolet II Nova that’s seriously competitive in Stock and Super Stock.

Tucholsky found the second-generation Chevy for sale on AutoTrader back in 2002. “I wanted to build a Top Stocker/Stock Eliminator car,” explained the man from Richfield, Ohio.

While many would have dismissed the Nova’s squared-off and boxy body lines as not being sporty enough, Tucholsky liked the distinct design that is reminiscent of the iconic ‘60s era of drag racing. Additionally, the Nova’s relatively lightweight and straightforward chassis made it a solid choice for a bracket build.

Now, after more than two decades behind the wheel of his Nova and “all the time” invested in the project, Tucholsky has fine-tuned his combination to perfection.

Sprayed with a gleaming coat of PPG Blue Mist by Tucholsky himself, the Nova houses a period-correct 1966 Chevrolet L79 eight-cylinder engine under its hood. The 327 cubic-inch small-block is a classic combination that has proven its worth in Stock Eliminator competition, and Tucholsky’s version is an 11:1 compression, naturally aspirated powerplant packed with CP pistons, Manley connecting rods, and a steel crankshaft.

“The valvetrain is controlled by a COMP Cams rocker setup with a 1.5 ratio,” noted Tucholsky. Up top, factory Chevrolet iron cylinder heads include 2.02-inch intake valves and 1.60-inch exhaust valves. “It also has a Milodon oil pan and Melling oil pump.”

Air enters the small block through a class-legal induction system, while exhaust gases exit through stainless headers built by the Tucholsky family, stepping from 1 5/8-inch primaries into 3-inch collectors. “We do as much in-house as we can,” said the driver. “Racing has been a family tradition for us, one that my father passed down.”

Although the engine is a relatively uncomplicated package, that’s the fun of Stock Eliminator: to get as much performance out of the factory parts as possible. The combination puts down 500 horsepower and provides plenty of punch to hustle the Nova into the low-10-second zone in the quarter-mile.

Tucholsky chose to equip the L79, known for its high-revving performance and excellent power-to-weight ratio, with a G-Force manual transmission, McLeod clutch, and Long shifter. “The thing I like most about this car is that it’s a stick shift,” he affirmed.

Suspension is a mix of proven aftermarket parts and family fabrication. Up front, stock control arms pair with AFCO shocks and Landrum springs. “I’m also using some other front suspension modifications from Ed Rezac and Jeff Sexton,” added Tucholsky. In the rear, Calvert Racing split mono leafsprings and CalTrac traction bars, along with AFCO shocks, keep the tires hooked. “We built the subframe connectors to keep everything as rigid as possible, too.”

The setup – which also includes Mickey Thompson rubber-wrapped WELD wheels – lets Tucholsky put the power down with precision, and it’s part of what makes the car such a thrill to drive. Out back, a Moser Engineering 12-bolt rearend houses US Gear 5.38 gears, with Moser axles and a Moser spool to complete the package.

With a personal best time of 10.43 seconds at 125.5 mph and a respectable 1.385-second 60-foot time, Tucholsky installed Strange brakes in the front and Wilwoods in the rear to haul the stick shift car back down to a pit-appropriate pace after it’s reached peak fun speed at the top end.

The ’66 Nova’s signature style is a no-nonsense, mild wheelie off the starting line which has given Tucholsky plenty of great launch photos over the years. Also captured in every photo is the touching tribute to the late Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins with a Jenkins Competition license plate up front, along with a plethora of contingency decals to supplement hard-won purses and prizes with additional payouts.

Keeping Tucholsky protected during on-track duty, the Nova was outfitted with a 10-point chromoly roll cage from Competition Engineering, while RJS belts provide the required safety restraints. AutoMeter gauges let its driver keep tabs on the combination’s vitals, but, beyond that, the interior is stripped of excess, built for racing and nothing more.

Tucholsky can usually be found racing his Nova in D/Stock Eliminator with groups like United Manual Transmission Racers (UMTR) North, the Buckeye Stock/Super Stock Drag Racing Series, Great Lakes Stock/Super Stock Association (GLSSA), and other events where old school stick-shift action can be found.

And, the beautiful blue Nova isn’t just a regular in the staging lanes, it’s also a regular in the winner’s circle. Most recently, Tucholsky picked up a Stock Eliminator win over Scott Dziomy at the IHRA opening debut at Darana Raceway (formerly National Trail Raceway) in Hebron, Ohio, in July, 2025.

For him, honoring his father’s passion for drag racing has been a huge motivator. And, with a lifelong commitment to the sport himself, Tucholsky enjoys not only the competition but also the fact that his family is deeply involved.

Racing isn’t just a generational tradition to Tucholsky; it’s a way to keep the history and heritage of the foundation of the sport itself alive and well. With 120,000 miles on its odometer since it first rolled off the factory floor, his stick-shift 1966 Chevrolet II Nova Stocker is making sure the vintage muscle cars that started it all are showcased in stunning style.

CAR: 1966 Chevrolet II Nova
ENGINE: 1966 Chevrolet L79
HEADS: factory iron Chevrolet
RODS: Manley
PISTONS: CP
POWER ADDER: none, naturally aspirated
TRANSMISSION: G-Force manual
CLUTCH: McLeod
REAR END: Moser Engineering 12-bolt
SUSPENSION: Afco, Landrum, Calvert Racing
BRAKES: Strange (front), Wilwood (rear)
WHEELS: Weld
TIRES: Mickey Thompson
QUICKEST ET: 10.43 seconds (1/4 mile)
FASTEST MPH: 125.5 mph (1/4 mile)