Robert K. Smith intentionally planned this year’s cruise to create a photo opportunity to capture a once-in-a-lifetime image of 110 Novas, four lanes wide rumbling down the 57 freeway towards CPP. I captured it using RK’s 300mm telephoto lens. RK says T-shirts of this shot are in the works. Check Steve’s Nova site for details.
The Largest West Coast Gathering of Novas!
Like two times before, the unique rumble of 110 Chevy Novas pierced the air in early March of this year, double the number of the past year’s Nova CPP Cruise. The Cruise is the brainchild of Robert K. Smith who earns his living as a scribe for the major VW magazine, but admits, “My true automotive love in life is the Chevy Nova. I got my first one back in 1989 and have been hooked on the Chevy II ever since.” Since Robert personally contributed to the popularity of the VW notchback, it is no big surprise that his vehicle of choice in the Nova lineup is the wagon fit with an original set of five-spoke Americans.
Robert grew up in the Fullerton area and quickly gained an appreciation for hot rods and Nova gasser owners who hung out at cruise nights at a parking lot located at Brookhurst and Orangethorpe. This same parking lot was used to host the first two launches of this Nova Cruise, however, Robert K. knows well that magazine coverage featuring unique images promotes the growth of an event. So, this year, the master plan included having images taken of a tight pack of Novas–driving down the freeway!
Searching endlessly for the right parking lot, he decided to use the huge Claim Jumper’s restaurant parking lot at St. College and Birch in Brea, California. The cruise would be an uninterrupted drive from Brea to Anaheim, beginning on the 57 freeway, transferring to the 91 freeway west, exit at Lemon for a short surface drive to CPP. Using word of mouth, Steve’s Nova site and CPP’s mailing list, literally thousands of potential Nova cruisers were alerted to the March date and the events of the day, including the cruise, shop tours of CPP, thousands of dollars in door prizes and a free In-N-Out burger lunch.
By the 8:30 a.m. cruise launch, Smith had counted 110 Chevy lls lined up four abreast for the freeway drive. Robert K. added, “I knew it would be bigger this year, but I didn’t expect to see over 100 cars in line for the cruise. Man, did you see all the Novas? We’ve got gassers, big-blocks, convertibles, wagons–all Novas are represented here today.”
Right on time, the Nova drivers lined up, meeting up with a CHP officer who directed them onto the 57 freeway and ran interference, allowing the cruise to go four lanes wide for a once-in-a-lifetime shot! Once the Novas arrived at CPP, the parking crew performed flawlessly by directing the first members to loop around the backside of the buildings, allowing them to park without having to back in. By 9:00 a.m., all Novas were parked and the camaraderie between these Chevy II owners became evident. After all, while most attendees were locals, some came from as far away as Northern California and San Diego. CPP owner Jim Ries personally emceed the first of many shop tours, with Nova lovers getting a first-hand look at the manufacturing process, including design, test fit and manufacture of the ever-expanding catalog of products now available to Chevy II owners, with a heavy emphasis on brakes, chassis and suspension replacement products. Many got their first look at big brakes and rack-and-pinion products in the development stages. Hungry show attendees flocked to the In-N-Out Burger truck for a delicious lunch provided by Classic Performance Products and then the long awaited door prize drawing began. Again, each registered guest received one ticket for a chance to win prizes donated by the heavy hitters in the aftermarket Nova product world, totaling some $11,000 in value! Big winner of the day was Larry Chamberlain, who took home Total Cost Involved’s new 1962-67 Chevy Nova rear torque arm, suspension assembly specifically engineered for pro-touring, autocross and road course applications. Besides a bucket of goodies just for registering, practically everyone left with a valuable prize and definitely a lifted spirit after a fun-filled day hanging with fellow Nova enthusiasts.
Doors Prizes Supplied by:
TOTAL COST INVOLVED
CHEVY 2 ONLY
RIDE TECH
UNISTEER
WILWOOD
SNOKE’S METAL SHED
IDIDIT
JOHN FORCE RACE STATION
HYDRATECH BRAKING SYSTEMS
RADI’S UPHOLSTRY
GOTTA SHOW
OLD AIR
AMERICAS TIRES
MOTHERS POLISH
EDELBROCK
SATA
HEIDTS
SCHOTT WHEELS
NNN – NOSTALGIC NOVAS
HOTROD HOTLINE
QA1
MEGUIAR’S
CURRIE
CLASSIC PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
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- Robert K. Smith intentionally planned this year’s cruise to create a photo opportunity to capture a once-in-a-lifetime image of 110 Novas, four lanes wide rumbling down the 57 freeway towards CPP. I captured it using RK’s 300mm telephoto lens. RK says T-shirts of this shot are in the works. Check Steve’s Nova site for details.
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- Featuring lots of chrome plating on a late-model tuned port V-8, this ‘67 Chevy wagon captured a lot of attention starting in the parking lot before the cruise launch. It runs as good as it looks.
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- A lowrider Chevy II was a rare sight in the mass of hot rod Novas. A ton of work went into the restoration of this classic from the gold leaf and paint to the adjustable hydraulic suspension.
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- SoCal Novas, a local club whose members are obviously dedicated to the preservation of the classic Chevy IIs, made a strong showing of club member vehicles.
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- Two-tone yellow and gray paint set the fastback out in front when it came to body shop restyling. The owner began with a fine SS model that’s now fit with tall rollers and a detailed interior to match.
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- No one, including me, missed a chance to check out the details of this bright Boyd red ‘63 pro-street Nova, complete with a roll cage and a fat set of street slicks.
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- This being the third year of the Cruise, the parking guys came up with the idea of having the Novas cruise past Freedom Ave. then loop around behind the buildings so everyone was headed back out for ease of parking. The plan worked well as few had to take time to back in.
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- By 9:30 a.m., Classic Performance Products had 140 Chevy Novas parked right in front of its main location. Hoods popped open and the tire kicking began. All years and colors were mixed together.
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- Having owned a couple of 1966-67 Novas myself, this body style is my favorite, especially when it features a lipstick bright color and a Merlin big-block Chevy shoehorned into that small engine compartment.
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- Featuring what appears to be a small-block V-8, this engine has to be a stroker to accept all the fuel from a huge four-barrel, dual float bowl carb atop a mountain of chrome and polished accessories. It had a cam to match, which rumbled the neighborhood windows! Nice two-tone paint, too.
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- CPP continues to develop a host of brake, suspension and handling products for the classic Chevy Novas with several yet-to-be-released products still in R&D, including this car’s steering box.
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- Jim Ries, owner of CPP, took a group of 30 attendees on a tour of both buildings that house the marketing, R&D, machine shop, manufacturing, warehouse and showroom. Jim demonstrates how much better a CPP A-arm swivels compared to a stock unit, which barely moves!
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- A gathering of Southern California car culture would not be complete without a few loud and insane gassers, just like the cars that used to terrorize this neighborhood and the drag strips!
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- They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I present this laser-straight, black-finished Nova accented by classic, polished five spokes. The interior was refinished to stock to match the look.
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- Kristen Hill, who heads up CPP’s marketing/catalog department, takes a moment to give Robert K. Smith a well-deserved hug. This Cruise,in its third successful year, is RK’s brain child. Congrats buddy!
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- The highlight of the day is a crowd shot of all in attendance squeezed into the confines of the intersection in front of Classic Performance Products. The weather was picture perfect.
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- More than $11,000 in door prizes supplied by CPP and its top vendors were presented to the winners of the coupon drawings. Larry Chamberlin, flanked by Jim Ries of CPP and Evan Dalley of Total Cost Involved, was the big winner of the day, capturing a TCI Chevy Nova pro-touring torque arm.
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- If only this picture came with sound, you could really appreciate the full pro-street build of this ticket red Nova fastback. With the size of this year’s Cruise, the burnout departures became a thing of the past!
Tags: Nova CPP Cruise
