Cambra-Built 1970 Chevy Nova SS Packs a Fuel-Injected 427 Big BlockPlenty of Novas have been dragged into the modern era, but few arrive with a spec sheet this complete. This 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS, finished in deep green over a green and black interior, is headed to Mecum Auctions' Las Vegas 2026 sale as Lot V314, crossing the block on Saturday, November 14. Photos and details are courtesy of Mecum Auctions.From the outside it still reads as a classic X-body SS, with the egg-crate grille, SS badging and clean flanks that made the 1970 car one of Chevy's sleeper favorites. Look a little lower, though, and the stance, the massive rear rubber and the big Wilwood brakes tucked behind custom wheels tell you this is not a numbers-matching survivor. It's a professional build from Cambra Speed Shop in Orange, California, and nearly every system has been rethought.Big-Block Muscle With Modern MannersPower comes from a Chevrolet Performance ZZ427 crate engine rated at 480 horsepower. With a 4.250-inch bore and 3.750-inch stroke, it is a true 427-cubic-inch big block, built on a cast-iron four-bolt-main block with a forged steel crank and rods, forged aluminum pistons, aluminum oval-port heads and a hydraulic roller cam. Instead of a carburetor, the builder fitted Holley's Terminator X Stealth EFI, which keeps the old-school look of a traditional intake while delivering self-tuning fuel injection that starts and idles like a modern car.That output goes through a Tremec Magnum six-speed manual to a Fab9 rear end with 35-spline axles, a nodular iron case and a Truetrac limited-slip. It's the kind of driveline that can take repeated hard launches without complaint, and the overdrive gearing should make highway cruising far more relaxed than any factory four-speed ever could.Built to Turn and Stop, TooWhere this Nova really separates itself from a typical big-block street car is the chassis. Up front, a TCI Pro Touring independent front suspension with 2-inch drop spindles replaces the factory setup, while the rear uses TCI's torque arm system in place of the original leaf springs. Ridetech single-adjustable coilovers sit at all four corners, and Detroit Speed mini tubs make room for serious rear tires. Power rack-and-pinion steering sharpens things further.Stopping duty falls to Wilwood 13-inch drilled and slotted rotors, clamped by six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear. Staggered Intro wheels, 18x8 up front and 19x11 out back, wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in 245/45-18 and 315/35-19 sizes. Inside, Vintage Air climate control, Classic Instruments gauges and a Custom AutoSound stereo make the cabin a place you'd actually want to spend a road trip.How the 1970 Nova SS Started OutFor 1970, the Nova had become Chevrolet's entry-level compact, but the SS option turned it into one of the most potent bang-for-the-buck muscle cars of the era. According to Hagerty's model history, the base SS package came with a 300-horsepower 350 V-8, power front disc brakes, dual exhaust, simulated hood intakes, blacked-out grille and rear panel and SS emblems. Buyers who wanted more could step up to the L34 396 rated at 350 horsepower or the fire-breathing L78 396 rated at 375 horsepower. With a big block in a lightweight body, the Nova SS 396 could embarrass far more expensive machinery.This car's ZZ427 outmuscles every one of those factory options, and its brakes, suspension and tires belong to a completely different era. That's the core appeal of a well-executed restomod: the look and attitude of a 1970 SS with the drivability of a modern performance car.What Hagerty Says About the MarketHagerty Valuation Tools show a clear split in the 1970 Nova SS market right now. A 1970 Nova SS 350 coupe in #3 (Good) condition is currently valued at $36,900, flat over the past year but up 8.8 percent over three years. The big-block cars carry more money but have cooled off. An L34 SS 396 coupe sits at $51,400 in #3 condition, down 3 percent over the last year and 14.3 percent over three years. The top-dog L78 SS 396 coupe is valued at $63,900 in #3 condition, also down 3 percent in the past year and 17.5 percent over three years.Demand for the generation is still healthy, though. Hagerty's data shows 102 1968-1974 Chevrolet Novas sold over the last 12 months, a 17 percent increase in volume, with an average sale price of $62,100. Hagerty also notes 543 1970 Nova SS examples have sold at public auction in the last three years, with the most recent result being a $68,200 sale at Mecum on September 25, 2026.Those numbers are useful context, but they track stock and restored cars. Pro-touring builds like this one live in their own world, where the quality of the work, the parts list and the reputation of the shop drive the final price far more than factory codes. With a premium crate big block, EFI, a six-speed and a fully sorted chassis, the hard parts alone represent a significant investment, which is why buying a finished car like this often makes more sense than starting from scratch.A Nova You Can Actually DriveMecum's Las Vegas sale tends to draw buyers looking for cars they can enjoy rather than just park, and this Nova fits that mold perfectly. It keeps the classic 1970 SS silhouette that Chevy fans love while adding the power, grip and comfort to use it any day of the week. If you've been hunting for a big-block X-body that doesn't require compromises, Lot V314 deserves a close look.Looking for more Nova inspiration? Check out this big-block 1972 Chevrolet Nova restomod, this 327-powered 1966 Nova SS, and our roundup of the 10 coolest Chevy Novas for sale on Motorious. And for more upcoming auction action, see what Mecum is previewing for Kissimmee 2027.⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious
+53 others
