SEMA Show

Modified ’66 Nova On the Road to SEMA Battle of the Builders

By Richard Hail

Battle of the Builders
John Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.”

John Wargo opened The Custom Shop in 1988 with his wife, Kim. Nearly three decades later, the Flanagan, Illinois, business continues to turn out SEMA-grade cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.” The Nova’s lightweight, easy-to-work-with body is the perfect recipient for the LS2, which is fitted with a P-1X ProCharger and should put out about 650 hp. Wargo also flipped the hood forward to better show off the small block, which he equipped with a COMP Cams camshaft and Holley EFI engine-management system.

The second-generation Nova features custom laser-cut grilles, tucked and pinched bumpers and carbon-fiber ground effects and trim all around. He moved the cockpit and dash back 9 in., changing the coupe from a four-seater to a two-seater. A custom Dakota Digital gauge cluster is embedded into a modified Impala dashboard. A bright orange-pearl finish from Prospray will start at the top of the car, slowly transitioning down to a darker orange with charcoal/black abstract graphics.

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