Nova Salt Flat Racer

[Pierre Rivard]

A Nova salt flat racer? Perhaps it makes no sense but in the spirit of the Bonneville Speed Week, there is  category for just about anything.

So my crazy idea is to start with a Nova, put a blown Chevy 427 Rat engine, do a rat rod style paint to is and create a.... SALT RAT! Get the concept?

I'm dating this to early 2000's, run it in the Altered Classic category (stock pre 1981 body, allowed non stock blown engine, front dam and rear spoilers etc)

What I really want to do is the painting experiment, but first the basics of getting the blower location to set the hood opening dimensions, get the basics go chassis ride set up (with my chosen tires) and figure out the air dam and spoiler setup

 

[Pierre Rivard]

I sort of rushed through these steps as pre-requisite items to what I really wanted to do: the rat rod style paint. I forgot to document the steps but to summarize I started with a dark gray primer, then using sponges dabbed acrylic dark rust, light rust, red and orange paints randomly. I then did the same with medium to light blue but focusing on where I wanted residual color. I then gently wet sanded (1500 and 2400 grit) specific areas to blend in and smooth out the various colors.

 

[MarkJ]

And now for something completely different. I never thought in a million years I would see you do this kind of build, Pierre. But I'm sure you will nail it. Love the concept of a Salt flat Rat rod. Very mind blowing indeed. Totally tuned in to this one as always. You think you might need a bigger front air dam to match that huge rear wing? Just sayin.  But don't cover up the beautiful grille.

[Pierre Rivard]

5 hours ago, MarkJ said:

And now for something completely different. I never thought in a million years I would see you do this kind of build, Pierre. But I'm sure you will nail it. Love the concept of a Salt flat Rat rod. Very mind blowing indeed. Totally tuned in to this one as always. You think you might need a bigger front air dam to match that huge rear wing? Just sayin.  But don't cover up the beautiful grille.

It is different, off the beaten path to a point I hesitated doing a WIP for lack of interest factor. I see your point about the air dam. I made it to drop from under the front bumper but I just added a horizontal plane under it which gives it more presence. Also making a rear spoiler about half the size of this one, to get this thing more balanced. I'll show these changes in the next update, perhaps with a few photos of Classic Altered cars to show what type of mods these usually have. 

[MarkJ]

2 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

It is different, off the beaten path to a point I hesitated doing a WIP for lack of interest factor. I see your point about the air dam. I made it to drop from under the front bumper but I just added a horizontal plane under it which gives it more presence. Also making a rear spoiler about half the size of this one, to get this thing more balanced. I'll show these changes in the next update, perhaps with a few photos of Classic Altered cars to show what type of mods these usually have. 

That would be cool if you could post those pictures. Bonneville cars are completely Greek to me, and I would like to learn more about them. Model on my friend, you are an inspiration to all of us mere mortals.

[W-409]

This will be a great project! We don't see enough Land Speed Racers built here and we all know this is going to be a beautiful model when finished. While I'm not really a fan of rusty / patina paint jobs, I think you nailed it on this one! Looks really good.

[1320]

Great progress Pierre!

Jim

[Belugawrx]

"And now for something completely different" from Pierre...Great start

Really liking the body treatment

[AmericanMuscleFan]

That's very cool Pierre, you surprise us all with this build of your usual repertoire but it proves your open-mindedness and your love for this beautiful hobby.  The body paint is absolutely FANTASTIC and I'm in for a ride!  I know someone who hasn't come yet and who will be delighted by this project, the only clue I can give you is that he lives not far from me! 😉   In any case, I will follow this with great interest. 👍

[Pierre Rivard]

11 hours ago, W-409 said:

This will be a great project! We don't see enough Land Speed Racers built here and we all know this is going to be a beautiful model when finished. While I'm not really a fan of rusty / patina paint jobs, I think you nailed it on this one! Looks really good.

Your 1950's Streamliner inspired me to explore Land Speed Racers. I'm starting with this simpler approach of a Classic Altered but a Streamliner is definitely on my wish list

9 hours ago, 1320 said:

Great progress Pierre!

Jim

Thanks Jim. I started slow with this one but the inspiration is building up

8 hours ago, Belugawrx said:

"And now for something completely different" from Pierre...Great start

Really liking the body treatment

Thanks Bruce. It is a new foray for me. I like to try new things. I've never built the same kit twice and rarely build them without changing things. Keeps us fresh and motivated right.

4 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

That's very cool Pierre, you surprise us all with this build of your usual repertoire but it proves your open-mindedness and your love for this beautiful hobby.  The body paint is absolutely FANTASTIC and I'm in for a ride!  I know someone who hasn't come yet and who will be delighted by this project, the only clue I can give you is that he lives not far from me! 😉   In any case, I will follow this with great interest. 👍

Merci Francis. Let's hear it from Mr T who loves his salt racers and could provide useful input. I'm kinda going blind here... but it's fun trying new stuff. I'm discovering that Bonneville Salt Flats racers are so diverse, wild and interesting. A gold mine of subjects for scale modelers

[Pierre Rivard]

On 4/5/2025 at 6:56 PM, MarkJ said:

That would be cool if you could post those pictures. Bonneville cars are completely Greek to me, and I would like to learn more about them. Model on my friend, you are an inspiration to all of us mere mortals.

Sorry for the delay in answering this Q Mark. Bonneville cars are as varied as you can imagine. Engines are broken in displacement categories, then aspirated or blown, then gas or fuel (anything not gasoline), then comes the body construction categories (each broken in sub classes). Main categories are Special Construction (Streamliners, belly tankers etc), Vintage ('48 and before roadsters, coupes, sedans and oval track), Modified Production (competition coupes, altered, gas coupe, modified, pickup), Production and Classic (1928-81 cars in classic production, gas coupe or classic altered).

The possibilities are endless... and a gold mine for creative scale modelers. 

I chose to start slow and do a Classic Altered for my first project. Classic requires to start with a '28-'81 production, Classic Altered requires the car to have either a quick change rear end, a non stock supercharger (or both). Aero packages consisting of fabricated air dam, rear spoiler and headlamp/grille. Electronic fuel injection is not allowed in the classic category.

So my 1972 Nova with a 427 + 6-71 blower + Hilborn mechanical injection + aero package would be labeled B/CBGALT. B engine (373-439 cid), Classic Blown Gas Altered.

Here are a few examples of cars running in Classic Altered classes.

 

Edited April 10 by Pierre Rivard

[MarkJ]

Thank you, Pierre for the photos. So, I would say you are completely on the right track with your build. Forget any suggestions I made. I was talking from an uneducated view. Those are really cool looking cars

[Rattlecan Dan]

Very unique take for a Nova. Interesting project for sure.

[Muncie]

This is going to be cool.   Awesome!

Thank you for posting the information and photos.  Lots of good to knows and really shows the diversity in the cars that run at Bonneville.  The model looks great.

Edited April 11 by Muncie

[1959scudetto]

Very interesting information, Pierre. I wasn't expecting something like this from you (it is also not my cup of tea) but as we all know the final result will come out big !!! I'll be watching your WIP.

[Rich Chernosky]

Interesting project Pierre.  Shows your versatility. I am sure your creativity and talents will  give us a worthy model to admire. Good luck with this. You are off to a great start. 

[Pierre Rivard]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:29 AM, MarkJ said:

Thank you, Pierre for the photos. So, I would say you are completely on the right track with your build. Forget any suggestions I made. I was talking from an uneducated view. Those are really cool looking cars

No worries friend. I am also uneducated when it comes to land racing but my fascination with this type of racing is growing quickly. 

On 4/10/2025 at 11:57 PM, Rattlecan Dan said:

Very unique take for a Nova. Interesting project for sure.

I admit it is a unique approach. I need this type of change to keep my motivation. I like having to research new types of racing cars.

20 hours ago, Muncie said:

This is going to be cool.   Awesome!

Thank you for posting the information and photos.  Lots of good to knows and really shows the diversity in the cars that run at Bonneville.  The model looks great.

Just the tip of the iceberg. The streamliners, vintage and modified classes are as wilder and even more diverse. BTW how do you like the red Studebaker?

16 hours ago, 1959scudetto said:

Very interesting information, Pierre. I wasn't expecting something like this from you (it is also not my cup of tea) but as we all know the final result will come out big !!! I'll be watching your WIP.

Thanks Helmut, neither was I but more and more I realize that I need to cats a wide net to keep my interest up. I love trying new stuff like the barn find paint job I did on this one.

14 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Interesting project Pierre.  Shows your versatility. I am sure your creativity and talents will  give us a worthy model to admire. Good luck with this. You are off to a great start. 

Thanks Rick. Flying blind but learning fun stuff along the journey. 

[Pierre Rivard]

Chassis done stock, as classic cars usually are at Bonneville. I tried to portray a barn find type of car with the underfloor sound but with some surface rust, and then imagine new suspension elements being installed to go racing. I tried a new product here, Vallejo Rust Wash. I like it!

 

[Pierre Rivard]

Engine components. Starting with the Revell 427 engine & trans from the kit. The blower comes from the MPC 7in 1 1960 Corvette. I modified the manifold to fit it into the V space and then fabricated the idler pulley bracket and extended & ribbed the casting for the power intake shaft. Lots of fitting but the basic engine architecture is in place.

 

[Pierre Rivard]

Leaving the excellent chrome covers untouched, other than adding Protect spun oil breathers. That was easy!

 

[Pierre Rivard]

Fuel delivery through a barrel valve made from 2mm square Evergreen. One inlet fuel, 4 outlet fuel & valve actuation through throttle linkage (which also opens butterflies in air inlets.

 

[Pierre Rivard]

And the back side of it, throttle linkage (where pedal throttle cable will attach to) and spring return. Not the best precision wise but it is all so small I can barely see what I'm doing...

 

[BK9300]

Fantastic detailing, Pierre - very interesting subject!

[Nacho Z]

I don't get to spend as much time on MCM as I would like to, so I am always a little behind on being able to go through all of the posts.  I just now got to look through this thread.  If there is a Pierre Rivard fan club, I want to be the president of it!  I love the concept and I am really loving the finish on the body of the Nova!  I appreciate all of the updates and the captions / explanations of what you have done.  Keep it up and I'm looking forward to your next updates.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

It's clear we're in for a great ride Pierre, it's starting strong!!! 👍