By Joe Greeves – Images by the Author
The time it takes to complete a world-class vehicle is rarely predictable. Goals evolve, technology advances, and costs rise. Mike House knows this well. A retired firefighter from Minnesota now living in Jacksonville, Florida, Mike has been a car enthusiast since his teenage years. His passion for Novas led to his latest build—a stunning 1968 Nova.
Purchased in New Mexico, every panel and body part is original except for the custom cowl induction hood. Once in his garage, the car was completely disassembled, marking the start of an ambitious Pro Touring build.
Mike began the project in 2008 with a vision to create a unique car that departed from the typical Pro Touring mold. Knowing the Nova’s unibody lacked rigidity, his first task was reinforcing the structure. He welded 2×3 rectangular steel tubing into the rocker panels from wheelwell to wheelwell, then added crossmembers for strength. Additional 1.5-inch round tubing connected the new chassis to the Detroit Speed & Engineering front subframe. Mini-tubs, custom inner fenders, a new radiator core support, and a flat trunk floor solidified the foundation.
At the 5 1/2-year mark, Mike moved to Florida and enlisted L&L Street Rods in Kasson, Minnesota, to complete the custom metalwork. Collaborating with lead craftsman Kegan Lubahn, they mapped out an extensive list of modifications. “If it’s metal, there’s a good possibility it’s been hand formed to fit perfectly,” Mike says. Lubahn’s expertise in design, shaping, and welding played a crucial role in the car’s flawless execution.
The modifications were numerous but always focused on subtle elegance. Highlights include rocker panel extensions, custom front and rear valances, a subtle trunk spoiler, and exhaust outlets framing the license plate. The modern grille and headlight combination, reimagined bumpers, and functional hood vents further enhance the design. The extended cowl induction hood reaches the windshield edge, secured by custom carbon-fiber hinges designed by Mike and fabricated by L&L, along with Ringbrothers hood pins.
Interior upgrades include L&L teaming up with Jay’s Upholstery in Kasson. The custom dash houses a Dakota Digital competition analog gauge cluster, a Kenwood eXcelon multimedia receiver, and a motorized Power Control Solutions keypad for shifting the 4L60E transmission. The Borgeson steering column with JOES Racing quick-release hub holds a Billet Specialties black anodized wheel, featuring the car’s name, “NOVA X,” on the center cap.
Procar by Scat Elite bucket seats were modified and upholstered in Relicate leather and Alcantara with unique seat backs concealing shoulder harness retractors. The custom center console includes a wireless phone charger, aluminum cup holders, A/C controls, and additional switches. Custom door panels feature backlit acrylic inserts, while Cadillac CTS-V door latches were adapted into the sills. A fully custom back seat complements the front, while a one-piece fiberglass headliner and German square-weave carpet complete the look.
The trunk is just as refined. A pop-up gas cap fills the twin fuel tanks, while upholstered side panels attach via earth magnets for easy access to the battery, storage compartments, and stereo. The trunk-mounted 1,800-watt, five-channel Infinity Reference amp powers 6×9 rear speakers, 5-inch door speakers, and a 10-inch subwoofer. The Kenwood eXcelon multimedia receiver provides Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and HD Radio.
While design modifications were underway, the powertrain and suspension were carefully planned. From the start, speed and performance were priorities. Mike chose a naturally aspirated LS3 crate engine, balancing reliability and horsepower. The 6.2L engine received an upgraded rotating assembly, TPIS hydraulic roller cam, and a Top Street Performance sheetmetal intake with a large rectangular K&N filter for optimal airflow. A detailed metal engine cover integrates the paint- and bodywork into the engine bay.
Cooling is handled by a four-core radiator with twin SPAL 16-inch fans. The 550hp LS pairs well with a modified 4L60E automatic transmission featuring a 3,000 stall TCI Street Fighter torque converter. A Denny’s 3-inch driveshaft connects to a Mark Williams 12-bolt rear axle. Exhaust duties are handled by Doug Thorley Tri-Y headers, 3-inch stainless pipes, Black Widow Race Venom mufflers, and massive exhaust tips. The car’s distinctive rumble makes it unmistakable.
Harnessing the LS3’s power required cutting-edge suspension components. The front features a Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe and suspension, while the rear is supported by DSE’s QUADRALink setup. AFCO double-adjustable coilovers on both ends control body roll during spirited driving situations.
Braking is equally robust, with Corvette C6 Z06 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear. Wilwood provided a reverse swing brake pedal and dual master cylinder with a balance bar, all mounted under the dash.
Wheel selection was critical for both aesthetics and performance. Mike opted for Boze Injected forged billet three-piece wheels—18-inch up front and 19-inch in the rear—wrapped in General Exclaim UHP tires for exceptional grip. The result is a car with razor-sharp handling that can escape trouble as quickly as its 550 hp can get Mike into.
After a decade in the making, the final touches were in sight. L&L Street Rods completed the custom bodywork before finishing the car in GM Satin Steel Metallic, with a center stripe in GM Shadow Gray Metallic. Porsche Acid Green accents trace the stripe, adding a bold touch.
The finished Nova X is a joy to drive and a showstopper wherever it goes. Stylish, comfortable, and deceptively quick, it strikes the perfect balance between daily usability and adrenaline-fueled thrills. “I’ve always said I was building a car I had no business building,” Mike admits. “But thanks to L&L Street Rods, I now own what I think is the most remarkable 1968 Nova around.”
It’s easy to imagine the thrill Mike felt the first time he slipped behind the wheel after 15 years of work. At its debut car show, the Nova X took home Best of Show—a well-deserved recognition for an extraordinary build.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
TECH CHECK
Vehicle: 1968 Chevy Nova
Owner: Mike House, Jacksonville, Florida
Engine: Chevrolet Performance LS3
Displacement: 376 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
Bore: 4.065
Stroke: 3.622
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum L92-style port, “as cast” with 68cc chambers
Rotating Assembly: Nodular iron crankshaft, powdered metal connecting rods, Hypereutectic aluminum alloy pistons
Camshaft: TPIS ZL12 hydraulic roller, 228/231 duration, 0.580/0.590-inch lift, 112 LSA
Induction: Top Street Performance (TSP) fabricated sheet aluminum intake
Exhaust: Doug Thorley Tri-Y fifth-gen Camaro long-tube headers (modified), 3-inch exhaust, Black Widow mufflers
Ancillaries: Synister Products front drive system (modified by owner), Davies Craig electric water pump, Comp Cams custom valve covers, custom air filter housing, custom twin aluminum fuel tanks, custom four-core radiator, SPAL dual 16-inch electric fans, OPTIMA YELLOWTOP battery
Output: 550 hp and 425 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Transmission: Modified GM 4L60E with all HD parts
Transmission Controller: PCS TCM 2800 controller
Shifter: PCS push button keypad shifter
Torque Converter: TCI StreetFighter 3,000 rpm stall
Rear Axle: Mark Williams Modular 12-bolt, 30-spline Master Line axles, 3.50 gears
Driveshaft: Denny’s Driveshafts 3-inch 1350 series
Chassis
Front Suspension: DSE Hydroformed subframe, AFCO double-adjustable coilover shocks
Rear Suspension: DSE QUADRALink rear with AFCO double-adjustable coilover shocks
Brakes: Corvette C6 Z06 six-piston calipers front, four-piston calipers rear, Wilwood dual master cylinders and Tru-Bar brake pedal
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Boze Injected 9.5×18 front, 12×19 rear
Tires: General Exclaim UHP 265/35R18 front, 325/30R19 rear
Interior
Upholstery: Relicate leather and Alcantara with green accent stitching, German weave carpet
Installation: L&L Street Rods and Jay’s Upholstery
Seats: Customized Procar by Scat Elite Series with custom upholstery, handmade rear seats with custom upholstery
Door Panels: Custom sheetmetal with upholstered door inserts over acrylic plastic, backlit with LEDs, Cadillac CTS-V door latches
Headliner: One-piece fiberglass covered with Alcantara and leather
Dash: Custom sheetmetal dash by L&L Street Rods
Center Console: Custom sheetmetal by L&L Street Rods
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital HDX 2200 competition analog cluster
Pedals: Wilwood
Stereo System: Kenwood receiver, Infinity speakers and amplifier
HVAC: Vintage Air Gen IV system, Restomod air vents
Wiring System: American Autowire Highway 22 Series
Steering: Borgeson race style with quick JOES Racing release steering wheel hub, Billet Specialties Formula steering wheel
Shifter: PCS TCM 2800 push button keypad shifting controller
Exterior
Bodywork and Paint: L&L Street Rods
Paint: PPG Next Gen Waterborne with PPG VC5700 clearcoat, GM Satin Steel Metallic, GM Shadow Gray, Porsche Acid Green
Hood: AMD 2-inch cowl hood
Grill: Custom bent and formed aluminum grille
Bumpers: Factory, narrowed and tucked
Front and Rear Valances: Custom sheetmetal by L&L Street Rods
Rocker Panels: Rocker panel extensions between the wheelwells, behind the wheelwells, and across the back of the car
Exhaust Tips: Custom by L&L Street Rods
Taillights: Fesler billet aluminum LED
Headlights: Dapper Lighting LED, Speaker LED driving lights
Wheeltubs: DSE
Door Handles: Lokar billet 12V electric push door handles
Glass: Flush-mounted
Side Mirrors: Billet Rides rectangular billet aluminum mirrors
