Introduced in 1961, the Chevrolet Nova didn't develop into a full-fledged muscle car until 1968. That's when Chevy began offering the big-block 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 with up to 375 horsepower.

While always a fine daydream, the act of totally refurbishing dead or nearly dead Detroit iron is always a much more expensive proposition than assuming someone else’s poor judgment and failed process ...