by Steve Holmes » Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:57 am
There is an interesting and happy conclusion to this story. The reason Ross was trying to gather photos of the Norm Beechey Nova, was that he was gathering information on the car to present to CAMS, in order to have the 1967/67 Nova make/model added to the list of eligible vehicles to compete under CAMS Historic Group Nc rules for cars dating from 1965 through 1972. Previously, Ross had been racing an earlier model Nova/Chevy II in Historic Group Nb.
There were some complications involved, aside from simply proving that a 1966/67 shaped Nova raced in Australia in period. Obviously, the Beechey car was pretty famous, and a very high-profile vehicle, so providing proof of that fact was easy. The complications arose when Ross wanted to run the car fitted with front disc brakes.
Norm Beechey built his Nova in 1966, at which time, this model was only available with 4-wheel drum brakes. And this is exactly how Beechey raced the car. However, Chevrolet offered the Nova with front disc brakes in 1967. But for whatever reason, Beechey decided to retain his car with drum brakes.
Ross and I had been emailing each other quite regularly, as I tried to provide him with period photos of the Beechey car as it raced during the later part of the 1967 season. It was during this time Beechey aesthetically upgraded the car by fitting it with a 1967 grill. In doing so, this helped Ross' cause when working with CAMS to get not only the 1966 Nova accepted as a Group Nc car, but also the 1967 model, as the Beechey car represented both during its different guises. CAMS accepted not only the 1966 model, but also the 1967 model, and, more importantly, even though Beechey chose to retain four wheel disc brakes on his car, CAMS have allowed anyone wanting to build a 1967 Nova, to do so with disc brakes on the front. Result!
So, in conclusion, the photos our various Roaring Season members have unearthed over the years, showing, most importantly, the Beechey Nova as it raced in New Zealand in late 1967, proved that this car raced under the guise of a '67 model, which helped Ross in his plight to get the model accepted under Group Nc rules. The absolutely beautiful Chevy Nova pictured below, which Ross recently completed building, is the result. Great work Roaring Season members! And well done Ross for all your work, getting this model accepted, and for building such a beautiful race car!
There is an interesting and happy conclusion to this story. The reason Ross was trying to gather photos of the Norm Beechey Nova, was that he was gathering information on the car to present to CAMS, in order to have the 1967/67 Nova make/model added to the list of eligible vehicles to compete under CAMS Historic Group Nc rules for cars dating from 1965 through 1972. Previously, Ross had been racing an earlier model Nova/Chevy II in Historic Group Nb.
There were some complications involved, aside from simply proving that a 1966/67 shaped Nova raced in Australia in period. Obviously, the Beechey car was pretty famous, and a very high-profile vehicle, so providing proof of that fact was easy. The complications arose when Ross wanted to run the car fitted with front disc brakes.
Norm Beechey built his Nova in 1966, at which time, this model was only available with 4-wheel drum brakes. And this is exactly how Beechey raced the car. However, Chevrolet offered the Nova with front disc brakes in 1967. But for whatever reason, Beechey decided to retain his car with drum brakes.
Ross and I had been emailing each other quite regularly, as I tried to provide him with period photos of the Beechey car as it raced during the later part of the 1967 season. It was during this time Beechey aesthetically upgraded the car by fitting it with a 1967 grill. In doing so, this helped Ross' cause when working with CAMS to get not only the 1966 Nova accepted as a Group Nc car, but also the 1967 model, as the Beechey car represented both during its different guises. CAMS accepted not only the 1966 model, but also the 1967 model, and, more importantly, even though Beechey chose to retain four wheel disc brakes on his car, CAMS have allowed anyone wanting to build a 1967 Nova, to do so with disc brakes on the front. Result!
So, in conclusion, the photos our various Roaring Season members have unearthed over the years, showing, most importantly, the Beechey Nova as it raced in New Zealand in late 1967, proved that this car raced under the guise of a '67 model, which helped Ross in his plight to get the model accepted under Group Nc rules. The absolutely beautiful Chevy Nova pictured below, which Ross recently completed building, is the result. Great work Roaring Season members! And well done Ross for all your work, getting this model accepted, and for building such a beautiful race car!
[attachment=1]DSCF1230.jpg Nova 2.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]DSCF1229.jpg Nova rear.jpg[/attachment]