Fred Gibb of Gibb Chevrolet ordered these COPO Novas in 1968,
at the encouragement of Dick Harrell who wanted Turbo 400
automatic transmission behind a 396/375 HP Nova. The only way to
get the Turbo 400 automatic transmission mated to the 396/375 HP
motor in 1968 was through the COPO order process. It was also
mandatory to have a minimum order of 50 cars to become certified
by NHRA as a production car. Most of these 50 COPO 396/375
HP-Turbo 400 Novas remained as 396 motor Novas.
A very few of these 68 Gibb COPO Novas were converted to 427
motors by Dick Harrell. The photo shown above is of Ray
Morrison-s unrestored original Gibb COPO/Harrell 427 Nova. Ray
graciously gave permission to use his photo to display what I
hope my car to look like when done. Ray's 427 Nova and my 427
Nova are 2 of only 3 Gibb/Harrell 427 Novas known to exist.
My car is shown in the two vintage photos, sent in by the
original owner. It is currently in restoration at Wayne Bushey's
of Nostalgic Novas.
