I knew you were gonna go for it !! A true car guy , my friend good stuff later, by the way all of your videos are good also I'm glad that you are feeling better, God bless
Just found your videos today and it’s been very helpful and informative. I’m retiring this coming week and will be looking for a project car. There are hundreds of classic cars sitting in people’s yards here in N Georgia. Convincing someone to sell one is a whole other story. Or they want ridiculously high prices for what they have. But I’m patient and will eventually find one that I can work with. Your videos are teaching me what to look for and the information I need to fix and address problem areas. So many things I never considered, but your down to earth approach makes it all less intimidating. Looking forward to more videos.
I had a 4 door 64 Chevelle and my friend had an early Nova 43 years ago. He told me he wished his Nova was a 4-door like mine so his hockey equipment would fit inside easier.
Great informational video! Very interesting little differences. I've always wanted to park a 2 door and 4 door next to each other and just look at them and see what differences all are.
agree with John. I have a 72 rally nova with rusted out trunk and a really good 68 4 door donor car. I plan to use the trunk, package tray and rear panel out of the 68.
Honestly I would rather fix a 4 door and a 2 door. I have a 4 door 71 nova and I realy like it. People still love to see the old nova out running. It's cool to be different, at a show everyone has 2 doors so it's cool to have something rarely seen. And it's great to take the family with you.
since i like to work with metal, i would buy a roof skin for a 2door and graft it into place, make a b-pillar (or maybe if available buy one) and use the rear doors to extend the front ones and rework the edges to match the og 2door (like the arch of the “b-pillar edge” and window frame up against the roof. and lastly use what’s left of the rear door skin to finish the rear 1/4, and make a “simple” inner structure out of sheet metal, both for the roof support and rear 1/4 great info from you, i know there’s been some discussion about windshield angle and stuff. and as you can tell i got some ideas for a process to do a conversion. great video!
Yes, I agree that would be a whole lot of unnecessary work to do, you are right you might as well fix a 2 door car it would make a whole lotta sense. We "my wife & I" like your channel and I will be a new subscriber thanks so much for sharing this valuable information. Your new friends from Lima Peru George & Carmen
Thank you George!! I appreciate you watching!! I will be doing the conversion since I’m starting with a 2 door that can’t be registered. The 4 door isn’t very good either. It’ll be interesting.
Very interesting info always knew the 4 door novas were unique, sheesh still remember when my dad put 20in rims on his just pulling out the tire shop everyone was looking.
Very interesting. I did not realize that the roof was taller on a 4 door. But that makes perfect sense. You can actually have passengers in the back of a 4 door. You can have people in the back of a 2 door. Providing they don't have any legs.
Explained well enough for me 😆. Dont know why this was offered to me to watch but well worth my time watching. The other reason is that the value of a 4 door isn't as much as a 2 door. So if you ever wanted to sell it, the vin comes back to a 4 door so it would takr that one person that would pay enough to even be worth selling it to cover the cost. Keep up the great work and I'll sure enough have to look at your other videos.
I have a 74 Nova sedan and am looking to finally restoring it this spring, aside from classic industries, where should I look to find sheet metal? Floor pans, rear quarters etc? Where do you find stuff you need? Thanks for the amazing information and knowledge on the topic.
Obviously I love everything you’re already doing ! With that said, I think it would launch your channel into outer space with subs and views ! And with the car without a vin it’d b the perfect donor. But I do totally agree with what your saying for sure. As far as the A pillar and that joint I think I’d make a clean cut and sleeve them to marry them together with plug welds and then a seam weld where they meet but I’ve not done anywhere near as much body work as you. Anyway I’m rambling. Lol. Take care John
I remember 4 doors in about 2000 where almost free ,I remember my friend had a 72 two door which had been sitting 25 years ,it still had saturday night fever 8 tracks in the glovebox
Does the extra height carry over to the '75-79s? I tried converting a 2 door scale model (the old AMT kit) to a 4 door and it still looks a bit too low. An inch isn't much in 1/25 scale but when it throws all the other proportions off and I was eyeballing everything, it adds up.
My body man took a 4 door '58 Belair and made a shorty convertible. He kept the front 4 door doors. People looked on in horror, at car shows. He also made convertibles from 2 door Cadillacs. Charlie Sexton had one.
Sleeper 4 door, with extra heavy duty blinker fluid, souped up racing air cleaners, and "built up" thermo quadruple power shifted Muncie racing automatic trannies, go get em Randy.
Lover your videos. I need your help. I have a 75 pontiac ventura that i need a rear bumper reinforcement bar. I was told Novas that same year or about would work. Not sure how true that is. Through your knowledge. If it will fit, im willing to buy it if the price is reasonable. If you know where i can find one. Thanks and i look forward to future videos.
Hey what's up John you got 2 cars, You can make a Two door out of that four door, what's better than that ? you know this!!! don't overthink it just do it bro? Good stuff!!!
A long time ago we cut the a pillow in a z cut sometimes a through the window lip and then half way through and then down a inch or two and then over parallel to the floor so that the A pillar was going to be welded down and across a down and across you get the idea but that was a very long time ago it gave you a little bit of adjustment to keep everything square and safe the 1970 nova was a little over 10 years old then so it had to be a nice job
Years ago I saw a magazine article where a 4 door became a door. Seem to recall that the wheel base was shortened. Rear door vent window post and back was attached to the front door. Have you wanted to create Nova 2 door convertible? Use 68 Camero windshield header. Remove the Nova door post, and B pillar. Use 68 Camero convertible weather seal between door glass and rear quarter window. Of course, frame rail chassis x brace will be necessary, lengthen by 2 inches because Nove wheelbase is longer than Camero. Convertible frame, use 68 front piece, 68 Chevelle rear section, adjust mid section/length as required. The Nove rear package shelf removed, should be about the same boot as the 68 Chevelle. This being so unique, consider use of Chris Alston chassis, with Corvette drive train, better front suspension/geometry, independent rear suspension, tubed inside to avoid outer fender modifications. Would be very nice!
Greetings from Argentina, the nova was MASSIVE here...we even manufactured here and made a "series 2". It was manufactured and sold till 77 I think. A true "argentine" classic. Also always wondered what would it take to convert it, but we use the 4 doors as donors, but luckily we have brand new body panels, although not great quality
I was never a huge fan of the Nova. Just something about the body style. If I had to choose, I would say my favorite would be the 1979 square styled body. And that's mainly because a friend of mine had one that was done up very nice. Pro Street style with the massive 20 inch wide tires, or whatever they were. It just looked very nice with the Roots blower way out of the hood.
Back when I first worked in a body shop as a kid starting in the late '70s it was common practice to "clip" cars. That is cut the windshield pillars and across the floor, then weld on another half .I seen a bunch of that back then. I think it was stopped later on because cars wrecked again and poor welding etc. they flew apart! I will say it can be done for sure but is it worth it? Heck look at custom car builders at the wild stuff they're doing! One thing though, I dont know what state you're in, I'm in North Carolina and we have very tough DMV laws. They'll sent a guy out here and they'll crawl all over looking for hidden VIN numbers etc. Best to you. Enjoyed the video.
I’m in GA. The VIN and the firewall hidden vin will match. Pretty much the whole floor pan will be the four door car. So unless there’s a hidden VIN on roof or quarters I’m good but GA is pretty lax on DMV when it comes to old cars.
@@Shop209 thanks for replying. I got mopars but novas are cool and light weights making great drag cars. Shoot… I say get them 4 doors off and cut those pillars out slap on some 2 door doors as a reference and work the magic!
I think you hit the nail on the head. Why, it would be a waste of time. Now if you was converting a station wagon from a 4 door to a 2 door. That would be a whole different story. Now if converting a Nova to an UTE as the Aussies call them or the El Camino as we call them. What would you use as the donor, a 2 door or 4 door car?
It seems like in the unique situation where you had a 2 door hit in the front with no damage from the A pillar back and a 4 door Nova it would make more sense to do a tail clip with the quarter panels and roof from the 2 door wrecked in the front but it would have be a situation that you could not find another Nova anywhere on the planet before it would make sense in my mind.
Actually, when I first built the shop, we couldn’t decide on doors. Then I made decision to custom build them. Then I spent the door money on more novas. Then I did it over and over again. Lol. Thank goodness the climate here is mild. I should have some by end of summer. Thank you so much for watching!
I think you can cut straight down from the rear window on the two door all the way through to the inner structure but leave the inner wheel well. Then cut along the top of the quarter panel to then a 90 degree turn inline with the sail panel. And I would take all the way down to the dash panel in the front to keep the windshield opening square. Then do the same to the more door, leaving the inner quarter panels on both cars. Those inner quarters should be the same? This way you would only need the rear quarter panel patch under the rear window if you're using a solid more door? Usually the mentioned way is using mostly the upper parts that aren't as rusty as the rest of the car. You can even leave the more door wheel lip in tact for less replacement parts needed? This way you can probably make your own patch under the rear window?
The inner quarter panels are totally different. Door jamb is in a different spot and where it attaches to inner wheelhouse. I’d have to use the outer and inner quarter from a two door. Plus roof structure. I have a crane machine so I wouldn’t be worried about the window being out of square
@@Shop209 Ok so new inner quarters with the rest of what I wrote except the windshield pillar deal. What's that about $150 for new inners?(it's been a while since I checked pricing for that stuff) Seems very doable but I would look for northern two door donor car with a southwestern more door. Interiors and upper sheet metal is still decent up in the salt belt while the lower is rotted out from winter salted roads. Maybe swap the outer firewall and if you kept the two door pillars and dash you get the vin with it. Lift it all off rigged for your cherry picker, roll the ready for a new top more door under it and lower it down, instant two door, easy peasy. LOL
If you're looking for work, why not build a convertible out of the 4 door? Always wanted to see one. I know different animal, we turned a 66 chevelle 4 door into a convertible. Used top bows from a Pontiac. Anyway I like your taking the time to study and discuss such a project, thanks.
Cheapest way and without cutting into the frame etc . remove the rear door glass and panel and cut to shape sheet metal to fill in the window frame area weld up rear door body filler and build custom rear door panel. Thats just if you're on a budget. If you know better way let me know because im looking at some.
I would just put the 2 door doors on the 4 door cut out the b pillar then lower the drip rail/door opening to match then weld on the front half of a 2 door quarter panel to the 4 door to fill the gap the roof look slightly more bubbled then the factory 2 door but at first glance look normal
Measure the length of the rear door window. Take 6" off the forward part of the rear door. Rest of the window measurement off the back part of the front doors. Weld the 2 new 2 doors together. Cut the roof and floor 1" less then the window measurement for sheet metal areas step overlap welding. Take the extra inch our at the frame areas. B pillar B gone. Rear seat gone for mounting roll bars. Any roof seam headache can be solved by un those newer car's giant sunroof. Wider the sunroof the less seam to deal with and the sunroof frame will strengthen the thin roof metal. Drive shaft cut equals the window measurement. Just leaves fuel, brake and electrical lines smartly reworked. Go crazy with a 285HP Northstar Eldorado FWD Subframe/drive train. Radiator to firewall with pedal assembly. Snub the nose clip of the Nova keeping the wheel opening centered. Shorten the hood. Rear suspension frame cut section in where needed. Floor driveshaft hump B gone. World does not need a factory 2 door. Dare to be different.
I wonder if you could build a '68-up Nova wagon just by putting a Nova front clip on a Chevelle wagon. It's the same way Ford built the '66-70 Falcon wagon except they built both the Falcon and Fairlane wagons on a compromise wheelbase.
Want a challenge? Try to convert a 4 door that was never available as a 2 door. Like my 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan. Some people have tried, but they never really looked right.
Quick question boss, Ended up buying that 74’ I asked you about, it’s a 350, bored 30 over. What kinda fuel should I run in this thing? Also, what kinda oil? Like I said, kinda a novice with a little bit of mechanical automotive experience. Any help is appreciated.
Cool! Without know what kind of cam it has I’d say run the Valvoline racing 20w50. Then add a bottle of Zinc additive. Unless you know it has a roller cam. As far as gas goes, any idea what heads are on it? You can check the cranking compression with engine fairly warm and if it’s below 180psi it should be fine on 87-89 octane.
@@Shop209 you’re the best, boss. Currently In the process of getting it transported one state over, just getting started on doing the last few things to make her road worthy / my weekend, continuous project car. Any way I can reach you directly when I have more questions? Much appreciated.
Just for the novelty, if I was going to go to all the trouble, I'd make a 5 door stretch limousine with a big ass blown power plant up front with vintage side pipes for the ultimate promotional vehicle.
What's going on John, hope All is well. Just waiting to see the next upcoming video of this project progression. If I were there I would help you man. I would love to help you get it done. When doing that kind of work you need all the help you can get.
I have a question this car kind of looks like the one that was stolen from my wife several years ago and I was just wondering the passenger side front door was stuck on the one that she had and I was just wondering on whether or not this one was the one 4 door
If you have a 4-Door Nova and want a 2-Door Nova I'll tell you an easier and cheaper way. If you look in any Parts Catalogs for these cars and more. Just flip to the Body Parts /Body Panel section of the catalog. You can buy a Complete Roof Assembly, Complete Doors usually with the glass and hardware already installed, A-Pillars, Inner and Outer Quarter panels and sill plate, Stickler, hinges and everything else you will need to achieve your dream. When my cousin built his 2nd Nova all he could find was a 4-Door in the year he wanted and we easily converted it and that's before we both even had gone to school for auto body tech. Now he was 1- 66 wagon 1 - 1967(Chevy 2 I Know),1 - 1968, 1-1969, 2 - 1972
Now me on the other hand has a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro SuperSport 396, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1972 Chevrolet Base Model with a 6 Cyclinder and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Type LT1 RPO Z28( Last Car my Grandpa order off the GOOD LIST.
On top of my camaro shirts I figured the wife and daughters shirts 1965 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport 327 Auto 1965 Chevrolet Biscayne Supersport (Early Model) 409, 4-Speed manualAuto 1965 Chevrolet Biscayne Wagon (Took My wife and I about 8 to 10 years of tracking down parts and touching up some spots her grandpa did notice at the wnd , all while he was basically blind doing it by feel
@@Shop209 I don’t disagree BUT by the time you cut everything off the 4 door car from the A pillar back then do that to the 2 door car it’s essentially the same thing. Bottom line it would be a TON of work and (if you have that kind of free time) might as well fix a really rusty 2 door that has a legal VIN. I’m not a Nova guy, maybe even those cars don’t exist anymore.
I'd build a frame for the four door ( no more uni body car) use the two door doors , Buy the door jambs cut the back doors to fit front doors rear shape then weld them in making it a two door and make it a convertible!!!
@@Shop209 That's Novas. Chevelle 2 doors had a 112" wheelbase and 4-doors (along with wagons and El Caminos) 116". The original Monte Carlo was made by putting a Chevelle coupe body on the long wheelbase so the rear wheels and wheelwells lined up, and giving the extra span up to hood length instead of backseat room.
In my opinion unlike most peoples opinions on classic cars I don't care whether it is a 2 door or 4 door I like the older classic cars period. They hold sedimental value just being old for one thing.
I agree. I like all old cars. Pretty much old anything. I have no hate for 4 doors. I just want to try this conversion and these cars are junk to start with.
It's easier than what your saying to make this car a two door. It as easy as 1-2-3. 1, buy a gallon or two of BONDO. 2, remove the inner and outer door handles. 3, Fill the space around the door and the door handle holes with the Bondo you bought. Little primer, some sanding and you got a 2 door NOVA you can wear your Cowboy hat in.
Be going through alot of spot weld bits to go trough all that work, the only way I would do it is if I was going to buy all new sheet metal, it's too much work to cut up one car for the other
I agree. I wouldn’t do this for any reason other than to test myself. I’m starting with two junk cars so if I end up with one junk car I’ll be ok with it. Thanks for watching.
@@Shop209 I aint never seen a convertible Nova, but I bet somewhere in California it's been done to a cherry 68 super sport. 🤣😡 Have you seen Joe Rogan's 69 Nova, tens of thousands of dollars to just screw it up
The problem with that is trying to figure out a quarter window fix since the back glass is at a different angle. And making the window frames of the doors taller. Either way is a lot of work. Leaving the high roof might be a bunch of work with ugly results.
i got a 4 door pillarless. looks sporty as f. as i dropped it to the ground. on 22s. bmw wheels... 68impala. is the way you customize it. no need to do a 2 door. is alot of work
Man! I'm confused and I'm not even interested in doing it. Too Much Work! What I'm interested in are the I-beams above your head. Is that a trolley hoist? Looks pretty interesting.. I just found your channel, that's why I'm asking. Sorry about the "Squirrel" moment, but that looks pretty cool. Thanks
Thanks for watching!! So those beans are dual duty. I plan to put a gantry up eventually but the reason they’re there is because I wanted a stick built upstairs for more room. So the beams and posts were the answer. They are 18” by 30’.
Thanks for explaining. Oh, by the way, I did watch the next installment. Man, that's going to be a job. Now I'm hooked. I guess I better subscribe so I don't miss anything. 👍🇺🇲😉
Seems to me, the easiest way to create a 2 door Nova would be take a 2 door Buick Apollo, Oldsmobile Omega or Pontiac Ventura and change a few trim pieces, grille and tail light panel and be done, and I wouldn't go that route either.
@@Shop209 I reckoned it'd be a lot of work, but it probably aint no where near the work changing a four door in to a two door. Maybe I'm wrong never tried to do either cause I'm to lazy 🤪
For someone to take a 4 door and make it a 2 they just wanna work !!
Exactly
I knew you were gonna go for it !! A true car guy , my friend good stuff later, by the way all of your videos are good also I'm glad that you are feeling better, God bless
Lmao
Just found your videos today and it’s been very helpful and informative. I’m retiring this coming week and will be looking for a project car. There are hundreds of classic cars sitting in people’s yards here in N Georgia. Convincing someone to sell one is a whole other story. Or they want ridiculously high prices for what they have. But I’m patient and will eventually find one that I can work with. Your videos are teaching me what to look for and the information I need to fix and address problem areas. So many things I never considered, but your down to earth approach makes it all less intimidating. Looking forward to more videos.
I had a 4 door 64 Chevelle and my friend had an early Nova 43 years ago. He told me he wished his Nova was a 4-door like mine so his hockey equipment would fit inside easier.
Great informational video! Very interesting little differences. I've always wanted to park a 2 door and 4 door next to each other and just look at them and see what differences all are.
I never knew what was the difference.
Thanks for telling how it's done John.
Take care, Ed.
One has 2 more doors Edward
@@wildestcowboy2668 Don't be picking on that old man.
Very educational. I wasn't aware of all of those differences.
Hello my friend very interesting info about the nova. Keep up the great work like always big shout out to you from Mexico buddy.
agree with John. I have a 72 rally nova with rusted out trunk and a really good 68 4 door donor car. I plan to use the trunk, package tray and rear panel out of the 68.
I learnt a lot I never knew the roof was different from the to thank you for the history lesson. I've been looking for a 70 Nova just like my dad had
Thanks for watching!
The windshield and back glass on a 4-door are also taller than 2-door, and unfortunately don’t swap.
thanks you covered every base. I had no idea of all those differences
Nice! Did the same on a 61 Impala; came out great.
Honestly I would rather fix a 4 door and a 2 door. I have a 4 door 71 nova and I realy like it. People still love to see the old nova out running. It's cool to be different, at a show everyone has 2 doors so it's cool to have something rarely seen. And it's great to take the family with you.
I like 4 doors but this one was so bad.
The fact that the four-door has a taller roof just made me like them a little more
since i like to work with metal, i would buy a roof skin for a 2door and graft it into place, make a b-pillar (or maybe if available buy one) and use the rear doors to extend the front ones and rework the edges to match the og 2door (like the arch of the “b-pillar edge” and window frame up against the roof. and lastly use what’s left of the rear door skin to finish the rear 1/4, and make a “simple” inner structure out of sheet metal, both for the roof support and rear 1/4
great info from you, i know there’s been some discussion about windshield angle and stuff. and as you can tell i got some ideas for a process to do a conversion. great video!
Do a 57 Chevy it's much easier g
It’s amazing how just an inch difference in height can really make a car look different
Yep. Crazy
Yes, I agree that would be a whole lot of unnecessary work to do, you are right you might as well fix a 2 door car it would make a whole lotta sense. We "my wife & I" like your channel and I will be a new subscriber thanks so much for sharing this valuable information.
Your new friends from Lima Peru
George & Carmen
Thank you George!! I appreciate you watching!! I will be doing the conversion since I’m starting with a 2 door that can’t be registered. The 4 door isn’t very good either. It’ll be interesting.
Very interesting info always knew the 4 door novas were unique, sheesh still remember when my dad put 20in rims on his just pulling out the tire shop everyone was looking.
Very interesting. I did not realize that the roof was taller on a 4 door. But that makes perfect sense. You can actually have passengers in the back of a 4 door. You can have people in the back of a 2 door. Providing they don't have any legs.
Explained well enough for me 😆. Dont know why this was offered to me to watch but well worth my time watching. The other reason is that the value of a 4 door isn't as much as a 2 door. So if you ever wanted to sell it, the vin comes back to a 4 door so it would takr that one person that would pay enough to even be worth selling it to cover the cost. Keep up the great work and I'll sure enough have to look at your other videos.
Thank you!! It’s going to be a ton of work for sure.
I have a 74 Nova sedan and am looking to finally restoring it this spring, aside from classic industries, where should I look to find sheet metal? Floor pans, rear quarters etc? Where do you find stuff you need? Thanks for the amazing information and knowledge on the topic.
Obviously I love everything you’re already doing ! With that said, I think it would launch your channel into outer space with subs and views ! And with the car without a vin it’d b the perfect donor. But I do totally agree with what your saying for sure. As far as the A pillar and that joint I think I’d make a clean cut and sleeve them to marry them together with plug welds and then a seam weld where they meet but I’ve not done anywhere near as much body work as you. Anyway I’m rambling. Lol. Take care John
I’m still on the fence about it. It won’t be real soon if I do.
I remember 4 doors in about 2000 where almost free ,I remember my friend had a 72 two door which had been sitting 25 years ,it still had saturday night fever 8 tracks in the glovebox
Very informative..def did not know this. Thought I knew nova's. Thank you
Thanks for watching. I’m already converting it.
Excellent video pop's and I am glad I didn't crush the 69 and 71 four doors we have.
Does the extra height carry over to the '75-79s? I tried converting a 2 door scale model (the old AMT kit) to a 4 door and it still looks a bit too low. An inch isn't much in 1/25 scale but when it throws all the other proportions off and I was eyeballing everything, it adds up.
Good information,thanks , You should do a video on 1970 chevelle 4 door to 2 door . If is worth it or not , thank you
My body man took a 4 door '58 Belair and made a shorty convertible. He kept the front 4 door doors. People looked on in horror, at car shows. He also made convertibles from 2 door Cadillacs. Charlie Sexton had one.
I would just build a 4 door sleeper
or a 4 door daily driver.....
Sleeper 4 door, with extra heavy duty blinker fluid, souped up racing air cleaners, and "built up" thermo quadruple power shifted Muncie racing automatic trannies, go get em Randy.
Awesome information tutorials 👌 👏 👍🏿
I'm surprised I pick a 4 door if had a choice cool video
Lover your videos. I need your help. I have a 75 pontiac ventura that i need a rear bumper reinforcement bar. I was told Novas that same year or about would work. Not sure how true that is. Through your knowledge. If it will fit, im willing to buy it if the price is reasonable. If you know where i can find one. Thanks and i look forward to future videos.
Hey what's up John you got 2 cars, You can make a Two door
out of that four door, what's better than that ? you know this!!! don't overthink it just do it bro? Good stuff!!!
So you gonna go for it??? You should!!!
Hey John ,could you please leave me more than a heart for a comment? I'm just saying
I knew you were gonna go for it !! A true car guy !! Also your videos are always good!! Also I'm glad that you are feeling better, God-bless
A long time ago we cut the a pillow in a z cut sometimes a through the window lip and then half way through and then down a inch or two and then over parallel to the floor so that the A pillar was going to be welded down and across a down and across you get the idea but that was a very long time ago it gave you a little bit of adjustment to keep everything square and safe the 1970 nova was a little over 10 years old then so it had to be a nice job
Yep. I’m gonna try to cut it in a way that gives it strength and a little adjustment
Sweet video brother 👍👍👍👍
Thanks!!
Great job
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE AWESOME INFO!!!
**CAN YOU DO A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR HATCH BACK VS TRUNK NOVAS, AND IF YOU COULD MAKE A HATCH CAR A TRUNK CAR**
If I owned a hatch I would
I've known people who've put '68-72 front sheetmetal on a '73-4 hatchback.
Good job 👍👍
i never thought about doing the nova 4 to 2 door swap after listening to you no way am i doing that
Yeah. I’m neck deep in it now. Lol
Years ago I saw a magazine article where a 4 door became a door. Seem to recall that the wheel base was shortened. Rear door vent window post and back was attached to the front door.
Have you wanted to create Nova 2 door convertible?
Use 68 Camero windshield header.
Remove the Nova door post, and B pillar. Use 68 Camero convertible weather seal between door glass and rear quarter window.
Of course, frame rail chassis x brace will be necessary, lengthen by 2 inches because Nove wheelbase is longer than Camero.
Convertible frame, use 68 front piece, 68 Chevelle rear section, adjust mid section/length as required. The Nove rear package shelf removed, should be about the same boot as the 68 Chevelle.
This being so unique, consider use of Chris Alston chassis, with Corvette drive train, better front suspension/geometry, independent rear suspension, tubed inside to avoid outer fender modifications.
Would be very nice!
I have been looking at doing a hardtop. Biggest issue is getting glass right.
Greetings from Argentina, the nova was MASSIVE here...we even manufactured here and made a "series 2". It was manufactured and sold till 77 I think. A true "argentine" classic. Also always wondered what would it take to convert it, but we use the 4 doors as donors, but luckily we have brand new body panels, although not great quality
Thank you for watching. I love Series 2 cars. Maybe one day I’ll get some of the headlight bezels with turn signal
I was never a huge fan of the Nova. Just something about the body style. If I had to choose, I would say my favorite would be the 1979 square styled body. And that's mainly because a friend of mine had one that was done up very nice. Pro Street style with the massive 20 inch wide tires, or whatever they were. It just looked very nice with the Roots blower way out of the hood.
Back when I first worked in a body shop as a kid starting in the late '70s it was common practice to "clip" cars. That is cut the windshield pillars and across the floor, then weld on another half .I seen a bunch of that back then. I think it was stopped later on because cars wrecked again and poor welding etc. they flew apart! I will say it can be done for sure but is it worth it? Heck look at custom car builders at the wild stuff they're doing! One thing though, I dont know what state you're in, I'm in North Carolina and we have very tough DMV laws. They'll sent a guy out here and they'll crawl all over looking for hidden VIN numbers etc. Best to you. Enjoyed the video.
I’m in GA. The VIN and the firewall hidden vin will match. Pretty much the whole floor pan will be the four door car. So unless there’s a hidden VIN on roof or quarters I’m good but GA is pretty lax on DMV when it comes to old cars.
@@Shop209 thanks for replying. I got mopars but novas are cool and light weights making great drag cars. Shoot… I say get them 4 doors off and cut those pillars out slap on some 2 door doors as a reference and work the magic!
Good video I was thinking about attempting such one day if I do I guess it will be a 55 chevy. .
Thanks. A tri 5 Chevy would be cake compared to this.
Go for it !!!!
I think you hit the nail on the head. Why, it would be a waste of time.
Now if you was converting a station wagon from a 4 door to a 2 door.
That would be a whole different story.
Now if converting a Nova to an UTE as the Aussies call them or the El Camino as we call them.
What would you use as the donor, a 2 door or 4 door car?
You still have a 4 door vin number. If I were going to do a custom thing, a shorty would be fun
It seems like in the unique situation where you had a 2 door hit in the front with no damage from the A pillar back and a 4 door Nova it would make more sense to do a tail clip with the quarter panels and roof from the 2 door wrecked in the front but it would have be a situation that you could not find another Nova anywhere on the planet before it would make sense in my mind.
Interesting that the 4 dr roof on Nova was taller than 2 dr, who would've thought!
Just started watching your videos and like them and really like your shop just wondering why you don't have any doors up?
Actually, when I first built the shop, we couldn’t decide on doors. Then I made decision to custom build them. Then I spent the door money on more novas. Then I did it over and over again. Lol. Thank goodness the climate here is mild. I should have some by end of summer. Thank you so much for watching!
I think you can cut straight down from the rear window on the two door all the way through to the inner structure but leave the inner wheel well. Then cut along the top of the quarter panel to then a 90 degree turn inline with the sail panel. And I would take all the way down to the dash panel in the front to keep the windshield opening square.
Then do the same to the more door, leaving the inner quarter panels on both cars. Those inner quarters should be the same? This way you would only need the rear quarter panel patch under the rear window if you're using a solid more door? Usually the mentioned way is using mostly the upper parts that aren't as rusty as the rest of the car.
You can even leave the more door wheel lip in tact for less replacement parts needed? This way you can probably make your own patch under the rear window?
The inner quarter panels are totally different. Door jamb is in a different spot and where it attaches to inner wheelhouse. I’d have to use the outer and inner quarter from a two door. Plus roof structure. I have a crane machine so I wouldn’t be worried about the window being out of square
@@Shop209
Ok so new inner quarters with the rest of what I wrote except the windshield pillar deal. What's that about $150 for new inners?(it's been a while since I checked pricing for that stuff)
Seems very doable but I would look for northern two door donor car with a southwestern more door. Interiors and upper sheet metal is still decent up in the salt belt while the lower is rotted out from winter salted roads.
Maybe swap the outer firewall and if you kept the two door pillars and dash you get the vin with it. Lift it all off rigged for your cherry picker, roll the ready for a new top more door under it and lower it down, instant two door, easy peasy. LOL
Please do a video on converting a ventura to nova.
If you're looking for work, why not build a convertible out of the 4 door? Always wanted to see one. I know different animal, we turned a 66 chevelle 4 door into a convertible. Used top bows from a Pontiac. Anyway I like your taking the time to study and discuss such a project, thanks.
i had 2 of those both 2 doors a 69 and a 70 custom wish i still had them..
Probably in another 10 or so years that might change.
Cars we considered junk in the 80’s are considered gold nowadays.
Cheapest way and without cutting into the frame etc . remove the rear door glass and panel and cut to shape sheet metal to fill in the window frame area weld up rear door body filler and build custom rear door panel. Thats just if you're on a budget. If you know better way let me know because im looking at some.
I would just put the 2 door doors on the 4 door cut out the b pillar then lower the drip rail/door opening to match then weld on the front half of a 2 door quarter panel to the 4 door to fill the gap the roof look slightly more bubbled then the factory 2 door but at first glance look normal
Measure the length of the rear door window. Take 6" off the forward part of the rear door. Rest of the window measurement off the back part of the front doors. Weld the 2 new 2 doors together. Cut the roof and floor 1" less then the window measurement for sheet metal areas step overlap welding. Take the extra inch our at the frame areas. B pillar B gone. Rear seat gone for mounting roll bars. Any roof seam headache can be solved by un those newer car's giant sunroof. Wider the sunroof the less seam to deal with and the sunroof frame will strengthen the thin roof metal. Drive shaft cut equals the window measurement. Just leaves fuel, brake and electrical lines smartly reworked. Go crazy with a 285HP Northstar Eldorado FWD Subframe/drive train. Radiator to firewall with pedal assembly. Snub the nose clip of the Nova keeping the wheel opening centered. Shorten the hood. Rear suspension frame cut section in where needed. Floor driveshaft hump B gone. World does not need a factory 2 door. Dare to be different.
I wonder if you could build a '68-up Nova wagon just by putting a Nova front clip on a Chevelle wagon. It's the same way Ford built the '66-70 Falcon wagon except they built both the Falcon and Fairlane wagons on a compromise wheelbase.
I was thinking you should have made a 3 door Nova. That would be way cool.
Great video...I'm curious could you convert a 69' 4 door chevelle to a 2 door chevelle?
Thanks
Want a challenge? Try to convert a 4 door that was never available as a 2 door. Like my 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan. Some people have tried, but they never really looked right.
Quick question boss,
Ended up buying that 74’ I asked you about, it’s a 350, bored 30 over. What kinda fuel should I run in this thing? Also, what kinda oil?
Like I said, kinda a novice with a little bit of mechanical automotive experience. Any help is appreciated.
Cool! Without know what kind of cam it has I’d say run the Valvoline racing 20w50. Then add a bottle of Zinc additive. Unless you know it has a roller cam. As far as gas goes, any idea what heads are on it? You can check the cranking compression with engine fairly warm and if it’s below 180psi it should be fine on 87-89 octane.
@@Shop209 you’re the best, boss. Currently In the process of getting it transported one state over, just getting started on doing the last few things to make her road worthy / my weekend, continuous project car. Any way I can reach you directly when I have more questions? Much appreciated.
Just for the novelty, if I was going to go to all the trouble, I'd make a 5 door stretch limousine with a big ass blown power plant up front with vintage side pipes for the ultimate promotional vehicle.
I thought about building an airport cart with 6 doors. Maybe one day. Thanks for watching!
Where is a good place to get quarter skins for a 73 Hatch?? Great video as always ✊🏾
You can get any hatch specific quarters. You can use any lower quarters. On the 68-72 panels you’ll have to move marker light hole.
@@Shop209 ok, thanks ... I am Anthony
Thanks for watching Anthony!
Is it possible to try the 62-65 era?
If I could ever find one at a decent price I’d try it.
What's going on John just? Wondering when you are going put another videos out on that front door just wondering when you're gonna do it?
Hey. I’m still here. Just been very busy. More videos out soo.
What's going on John, hope All is well. Just waiting to see the next upcoming video of this project progression. If I were there I would help you man. I would love to help you get it done. When doing that kind of work you need all the help you can get.
I did this last year to a 1972 Nova
Can you post pics on my Facebook page? I’d like to see it.
I have a question this car kind of looks like the one that was stolen from my wife several years ago and I was just wondering the passenger side front door was stuck on the one that she had and I was just wondering on whether or not this one was the one 4 door
Nope. This one sat at my friends shop for the last 32 years. I had the VIN checked when I got it.
Okay thank you for getting back with me I look forward to your next video
If you have a 4-Door Nova and want a 2-Door Nova I'll tell you an easier and cheaper way. If you look in any Parts Catalogs for these cars and more. Just flip to the Body Parts /Body Panel section of the catalog. You can buy a Complete Roof Assembly, Complete Doors usually with the glass and hardware already installed, A-Pillars, Inner and Outer Quarter panels and sill plate, Stickler, hinges and everything else you will need to achieve your dream. When my cousin built his 2nd Nova all he could find was a 4-Door in the year he wanted and we easily converted it and that's before we both even had gone to school for auto body tech. Now he was 1- 66 wagon 1 - 1967(Chevy 2 I Know),1 - 1968, 1-1969, 2 - 1972
Now me on the other hand has a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro SuperSport 396, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1972 Chevrolet Base Model with a 6 Cyclinder and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Type LT1 RPO Z28( Last Car my Grandpa order off the GOOD LIST.
On top of my camaro shirts I figured the wife and daughters shirts
1965 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport 327 Auto
1965 Chevrolet Biscayne Supersport (Early Model) 409, 4-Speed manualAuto
1965 Chevrolet Biscayne Wagon
(Took My wife and I about 8 to 10 years of tracking down parts and touching up some spots her grandpa did notice at the wnd , all while he was basically blind doing it by feel
Make a nova limousine ! That would be Awesome
Can’t you cut out the firewall/cowl section (with the VIN) of the 4 door and fit it into a good non-VIN 2 donor?
That’s a little too close to swapping a vin in my opinion.
@@Shop209 I don’t disagree BUT by the time you cut everything off the 4 door car from the A pillar back then do that to the 2 door car it’s essentially the same thing. Bottom line it would be a TON of work and (if you have that kind of free time) might as well fix a really rusty 2 door that has a legal VIN. I’m not a Nova guy, maybe even those cars don’t exist anymore.
I get what you’re saying. If I do the swap, it will be for getting views on my channel. That’s the only reason to do it.
@@Shop209 and that’s a perfectly good reason to do it! I’ll definitely subscribe and watch the pain in process!!
Lol. I appreciate it.
I'd build a frame for the four door ( no more uni body car) use the two door doors , Buy the door jambs cut the back doors to fit front doors rear shape then weld them in making it a two door
and make it a convertible!!!
so basicly you sectioning it but also moding it to fit?
Yes.
Nice video. Are you in the 209 area code?
Nope. I’m in the 478 area code. 209 was my address growing up.
@@Shop209 Oh ok, I was wondering.
Great video, great lesson. Just out of curiosity, are conversions for Chevelles the same as the Nova?
I’m not sure but probably he same situation from 68-72. The older Malibu sedans you can change. I think
I believe the wheelbase on a 4 dr is different.
@@javierdenardo2607 they are both 111 inches.
@@Shop209 That's Novas. Chevelle 2 doors had a 112" wheelbase and 4-doors (along with wagons and El Caminos) 116". The original Monte Carlo was made by putting a Chevelle coupe body on the long wheelbase so the rear wheels and wheelwells lined up, and giving the extra span up to hood length instead of backseat room.
In my opinion unlike most peoples opinions on classic cars I don't care whether it is a 2 door or 4 door I like the older classic cars period. They hold sedimental value just being old for one thing.
I agree. I like all old cars. Pretty much old anything. I have no hate for 4 doors. I just want to try this conversion and these cars are junk to start with.
It's easier than what your saying to make this car a two door. It as easy as 1-2-3. 1, buy a gallon or two of BONDO. 2, remove the inner and outer door handles. 3, Fill the space around the door and the door handle holes with the Bondo you bought. Little primer, some sanding and you got a 2 door NOVA you can wear your Cowboy hat in.
Lol. A 10 gallon hat.
Neat that the roof like is different. I’ve seen guys do a four to two door conversation on 60’s ramblers - honestly. I’d just rock the 4 door .
Move the rear end 18" forward AFX style gasser hybrid.
If I were to covert one , I would cut the rear clip and make the splice on the floor and windshield posts.
That’s where I would cut this but instead of all the way to floor I would cut from wheelhouse up in rear.
Be going through alot of spot weld bits to go trough all that work, the only way I would do it is if I was going to buy all new sheet metal, it's too much work to cut up one car for the other
I agree. I wouldn’t do this for any reason other than to test myself. I’m starting with two junk cars so if I end up with one junk car I’ll be ok with it. Thanks for watching.
Well im in a country that 2 door version is impossible to be found so yea i got to convert 4 door and build a roof my self
Have you thought of making a 3 through 9 into a convertible?
I thought about making this 4 door a convertible/roadster but I really don’t care for the look.
@@Shop209 I aint never seen a convertible Nova, but I bet somewhere in California it's been done to a cherry 68 super sport. 🤣😡 Have you seen Joe Rogan's 69 Nova, tens of thousands of dollars to just screw it up
@@Shop209 My dad made a 66 Nova Wagon into a Sedan Delivery for a parts cars for his hot rod shop back in the late 70's-early 80's.
How come so many novas were green?
I have no idea but there were a BUNCH of blue and green.
I love these conversions, but with the differences in these Nova's, what do you think of making an easier tall-roof 2-door?
The problem with that is trying to figure out a quarter window fix since the back glass is at a different angle. And making the window frames of the doors taller. Either way is a lot of work. Leaving the high roof might be a bunch of work with ugly results.
As a kid I have seen guys just weld the back door shut, take off the door handles, fill it in, and put in flip front seats and move on .
i got a 4 door pillarless. looks sporty as f. as i dropped it to the ground. on 22s. bmw wheels... 68impala. is the way you customize it. no need to do a 2 door. is alot of work
There is a guy that converts mustang coupes into the fast backs. It's alot of work like this
Yeah. It’s a bunch of work
I think I saw Red Green do that!!!
Both doors might have been on the same side though. 😅😅😅😅
He'd just take the back doors off and cover the gaping holes with duct tape.
@nlpnt Sounds about right.
"If the women don't find you handsome, they ought to at least find you handy!!!"
If I could get back my 350 '73 and my 250 '75 Novas.
Yup
Hey 209. You interested in a 73 Nova project in North Ga. ?
You trying to get me divorced? Lol
@@Shop209 you got an email ?
If so I will drop a link.
So I should just leave my 62 Nova 4 dr as it is. Or sell it because I have too much other stuff to do.
Leave it as is. 4 doors are cool. I’m just using two junk cars to build one junk car.
@@Shop209 turning it into a wagon is more my style.
Man! I'm confused and I'm not even interested in doing it. Too Much Work! What I'm interested in are the I-beams above your head. Is that a trolley hoist? Looks pretty interesting.. I just found your channel, that's why I'm asking. Sorry about the "Squirrel" moment, but that looks pretty cool. Thanks
Thanks for watching!! So those beans are dual duty. I plan to put a gantry up eventually but the reason they’re there is because I wanted a stick built upstairs for more room. So the beams and posts were the answer. They are 18” by 30’.
Thanks for explaining. Oh, by the way, I did watch the next installment. Man, that's going to be a job. Now I'm hooked. I guess I better subscribe so I don't miss anything. 👍🇺🇲😉
i would weld the front door to the back door and take out the front latch and piller. And there you go you gotta a 2 door 😉
That was actually my plan for a gag. Then someone asked for the doors so I didn’t want to butcher them.
@@Shop209 lol that would have been great!
And the 4 door windshield is different as well
Seems to me, the easiest way to create a 2 door Nova would be take a 2 door Buick Apollo, Oldsmobile Omega or Pontiac Ventura and change a few trim pieces, grille and tail light panel and be done, and I wouldn't go that route either.
thats a 50 or 51 ford pickup hood in the background?
52 F1. The truck is right in the shop. Just covered with boxes.
@@Shop209 vary cool my dad had 50 0r 51 pickup in colorado had the original flat head in her.
Mine has the flathead but is getting a 351/C4
@@Shop209 that's gonna be killer
I'm sure converting a two to four is a ton of work, have you ever converted a 73-4 to 68-72? I don't mean bumpers, tail lights, and grill work.
I haven’t converted a 73/74 to the 68-72 quarter windows. It’s a bunch of work and you’d need a donor car.
@@Shop209 I reckoned it'd be a lot of work, but it probably aint no where near the work changing a four door in to a two door. Maybe I'm wrong never tried to do either cause I'm to lazy 🤪
What's wrong with 4 door nova , I love my 74
Nothing. People keep suggesting I convert it to a 2 door.
I would sell them junk parts that I didn't need , and get to working on something worthwhile ,
But that's what I would do !