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Building a car from scratch is a dream seldom achieved by automobile lovers. But this third-generation run, UK-based YouTube handle Hudson Auto Films recently gave a peek into how this is pretty much doable.
What turned up as a fun project of spotting an abandoned Nova from the 1970s under a forest cover soon became a passion project for the YouTube influencer who could not turn it down.
Those who remember would know that the Nova, also known as Purvis Eureka in Australia, stood out for its one-of-a-kind, unique design. Its hydraulic canopy roof set the bar higher for any onlooker who wished to own it in their garage.
1970s Nova Car Survives 25 Years Of Abandonment In Forest
The YouTuber revealed that this particular white Nova, which he owns now, was left to rot for over 25 years since the noughties in a forest near his residence.
After being lifted from the spot, the car looked unrecognizable and beyond repair.
While the car bore signs of withering, the wheels surprisingly were still inflated, and it was thus easy to transport it to the man’s workstation for a proper restoration.
Restoring Nova To Its Original Glory
After having a major check through all the minute details of the car, the man began the restoration process by removing the tires first. A good wash of the car, and then followed this to clean up the signs of decay on the exterior.
The hydraulic roof was detached from the car as the man cleaned up the dirty interiors, including stripping off the carpet. A second round of pressured cleaning was done to clear out the dirt inside the cabin.
Post-cleanup, a new battery was attached to the main engine of the car in an attempt to revive it. As the clock of the car started ticking, the YouTuber then proceeded to fix the hydraulic system of the roof.
What People Have To Say About Restoring Good Old Nova
Nearly two months after the release of the video, it has become a viral sensation on the internet. It has made about 3.29K views and has the comment sections buzzing with suggestions, comments, and insights from fellow gearheads.
A user with the name, originalsusser, recalled witnessing a neighbour of theirs previously, owning such an abandoned vintage car. They wrote “In Australia, back in the early 80s, a neighbour had a Purvis Eureka. It had a really cool paint job based on the Eureka flag blue with a white stripe from the rear bumper to the front bumper with a large white star in the centre of the bonnet.
“It had a Mazda rotary engine, round headlights, and a targa top. Inside looked like the cabin of a spaceship but in tan leather with the thinnest bucket seats I’ve seen. I’ve got photos of it somewhere, but from memory, it didn’t have those flutes under the windscreen.
“He was a retired race car mechanic and had a big workshop behind his house where I spent heaps of time helping him with his various project cars, and it was where I developed my love of cars and abilityto drive a manual. He would mostly drive it on sundays. When I got my licence, he took me to a race track, not on a race day, to drive it.
“Great car owned by a great guy. RIP Joe.”
Another user named TryptychUK wrote, “A friend of mine had one he rescued from the “Condorman” movie”.
“A few points worth noting: If you retain the original Beetle chassis, keep the original VW gearbox, as it has a universal mounting plate, so you can fit most engines without too much trouble. (My friend had a Porsche 911 fitted). Due to the engine being so far back on the frame, the car is very nose-light, so it is recommended to fit the fuel tank in front of the forward bulkhead in the ‘boot’.
He further added: “IMPORTANT: With regard to the canopy, ensure you fit quick release pins in case of an emergency.
If you crash and lose electrics, it is impossible to force the hydraulics, and you could be trapped inside. It could be fatal. It is also wise to ensure a roll cage bar is fitted behind the cockpit, as well as the sides, as it’s only fibreglass.
“I hope you have fun with it, they really are eye catching when you drive them down the street!”