1977 Chevrolet Nova Coupe

This car was not among the 365,264 Chevrolet Novas built during the 1977 model year: it began as one of 66,636 similarly-bodied Pontiac Venturas. This car's destiny, however, was fame for its achievements as a Nova, as well as its driver.

Built by famed fabricator Robert Gee to compete in NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division competition, this car was raced to many victories. When Anheuser-Busch sponsored the Busch Series that began in 1982 replacing Late Model Sportsman, the series became the 'proving ground' for up-and-coming stock car drivers. They included Dale Earnhardt, who finished sixth in the 1976 points race, then won the first ever NASCAR Busch Series event, the Goody's 300 held at Daytona's tri-oval February 13, 1982. This was the first of his seven career NASCAR Busch Series victories there, including five consecutive wins through 1994.

When the aerodynamic advantages of the Chevrolet Nova were recognized, this car was converted -from Pontiac to Chevrolet configuration by Robert and Dale, The car went on to win in blue -and -yellow Wrangler configuration, then black- and -silver Goodwrench configuration with victory in the Goody's 300 of 1986. Earnhardt moved up to Winston Cup to win his first NASCAR championship that year. Although similar in appearance, Busch cars ran 105 -inch wheelbase versus 110-inch for Winston Cup cars with the major difference being 358 cid engines fed by 390 cfm carburetors versus 830 cfm carbs on Cup cars, and about 550 horsepower versus 720 horsepower.