Plenty of classic American muscle cars compete at Gatebil, often in the Extreme Time Attack series. But one that also drifts and can be street-driven too? Naturally, I had to take a closer look.
This wide-body 1969 Chevrolet Nova ‘GTR,’ built by Andreas Solli, was one of the standout cars at Gatebil’s 2024 Main Event at Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway. Amidst the signature smoke and chaos of the event, the Nova felt like a breath of fresh air.
Andreas, a muscle car enthusiast and workshop manager for a driveshaft shop in Oslo, acquired the Nova in 2014 and has worked on it every winter since.
What began as a Nova base model with an inline six-cylinder engine has evolved into something amazing, featuring a custom aero kit largely crafted in Andreas’s home garage. The front splitter, air dam, side skirts, and rear diffuser are all his handiwork.
The massive 1,810mm-wide carbon fiber wing sourced from a British Stealth B6 GT1 racer is mounted with custom brackets, and it’s not just for show. This Nova truly does it all, including time attack. Completing the exterior is a custom bonnet.
Andreas runs two wheel/tire setups: for time attack events, 18×10.5-inch and 18×11-inch GS Performance 2002R wheels fitted with Yokohama A40 (soft) slicks, and for drifting, the same wheels but in 18×9.5-inch, wrapped in 265/35R18 Sailun Atrezzo R01 rubber.
Stopping power comes from a Chevrolet Corvette disk and caliper setup at the front and BAER brakes in the rear.
The stance is set by QA1 coilovers on both ends. The front subframe has been upgraded to a Corvette C6 unit; the rear boasts a custom 3-link configuration with a Watt’s linkage.
Inside, the dashboard is the only original Nova piece remaining, now housing a single Ecumaster ADU 7-inch display. The interior also features Sparco Circuit bucket seats, QSP 6-point racing harnesses, and an FIA-approved roll cage.
The carbon fiber center console, a unique creation by Zyrus Engineering for the Zyrus LP1200 Lamborghini Huracán includes a billet DCT sequential shifter tailored for drifting.
For hot laps, Andreas switches to an OMP steering wheel with a custom loadout that features an Ecumaster CANBUS card. The wheel has eight-position switches for adjusting power levels (boost) and traction control, plus dedicated buttons for rolling launch control and scramble boost.
Andreas can also navigate through different screens on his dash logger. The start/stop button is a modern touch, allowing the engine to fire up and power off with a single push.
Under the Nova’s hood is an aluminum 5.3-liter LH6 V8, which Andreas selected for its robust block and thick cylinder walls.
Two Precision Turbo 6266 turbochargers with v-band turbine housings and HPO Motorsport 44mm wastegates are mostly hidden from sight. Cooling is handled by an intercooler that Andreas and his friend Einar built, plus a Hurricane radiator and a Setrab oil cooler.
In track mode, at 1.6 bar (23.2psi) of boost and revved to 7,000 rpm, the Nova churns out around 1,000hp. Torque, meanwhile, peaks at 1,400Nm. Andreas also has a street turbo setup he can swap over to if required.
Power is transmitted via a BMW E92 M3 dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, controlled by a DKGECU transmission module from Sweden. Although it lacks auto-clutch engagement and no-lift shifting, Andreas can clutch kick during drifting.
As mentioned, the Nova can easily be switched to a street-legal specification, and it sees daily use during the summer. Andreas even took it on a 10,000-kilometer road trip from Norway to Spain.
He isn’t finished yet either; a better suspension system and additional weight-reducing modifications are on the horizon. I can’t wait to see Andreas and his Nova tear up Rudskogen Motorsenter at Gatebil’s Main Event next year.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
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Can't go wrong with an LS swap if you want to go fast. Nice choice.
I legit forgot LH is part of the LS family. Only remember LM, LT and L##.
Great engines for turbo applications. My personal choice for something like this would be an LS7 naturally aspirated to the same power but makes sense why they went this route. LS swaps or rotary swaps are my go to choices for street builds. Budget and packaging usually determine more than anything though.
Damn, so many great details. That center console is a cool touch.
Center console is my favorite feature of the build.
All about the looks with you and the aesthetic. Lol
Why does is matter though.
It's funny because this is someone who likes to talk and talk and talk ad naseum about others being inexperienced when in fact he only comments on the aesthetic parts of builds and seemingly runs a very run of the mill workshop.
Where as I am building my own engines with someone who is in the hall of fame, beat Villeneuve, and I used to race with the designer of the MP4/4. So I find it highly comical that this guy at the end of the day can provide zero technical insight into cars but badgers others about their experience. The definition of a punk and a coward.
I asked him to race for money and get into a boxing ring with my and he refuses both adamantly, but wants to know my name and where I live. What a weirdo and a vag of a man.
You built a 300 dollar gokart engine with somebody holding your hand. I’ve built many cars and engines. I showed you a picture of the LS swapped 944 that’s sitting in my shop along with a water cooled early beetle that has many hand fabricated parts. I know the amount of effort it takes to build something like this and to make it look good. You know how to google stuff and possibly how to build a gokart. I’ve never once asked where you live, although you have asked me where I live and my place of work many times. I’m not sure why you are so obsessed with me but it’s creepy and weird.
$300? HAHAHA. Who thinks modern karts are $300? What a moron this guy is:
So why won't you race?
Let's run for money. I'm just trying to get paid off a punk. My kart is $15,000 with an engine that runs about $4,000. I machine it myself. You want to keep talking and talking and talking and I want to do something. Why are you so afraid?
Fuuuck - awesome....
Your Nova build is the coolest that I’ve ever
seen. Well done.
This Time Attack Nova build is so badass
It reminds me of Racedriver GRID
Why do I feel like I agree with you on the GRID part. I have played the game but it was years ago.
I would have thought this was a Mustang if I randomly saw it. I need to learn more American cars!
That's exactly what I have been up to as well. My knowledge was next to zero before.