1973 Chevrolet Nova SS Coupe – “The Ghost,” a Genuine 500+ HP Big-Block Muscle Car That Shouldn’t Exist

Try to find a real 1973 American muscle car. There aren’t any — the factory hot-car era came to a halt in 1972, and the Detroit automakers spent the malaise years offering pony cars with fancy names and little horsepower to match. This 1973 Chevrolet Nova SS Coupe, known as “The Ghost,” began life much the same way: it rolled off the Los Angeles assembly line with the RPO Z26 Super Sport package and the optional 350 CID V8, factory rated at a modest 175 smog-harnessed horsepower. Sold new in Las Vegas, Nevada at Fletcher Jones Chevrolet, it covered just 8,793 miles before its current owner and builder acquired it in 1997. What happened next transformed it into something extraordinary — and something you’re unlikely to ever see again.

Background & Rarity

A genuine 1973 Z26 Super Sport Nova — a model from an era when real muscle had all but vanished
Sold new in Las Vegas, Nevada at Fletcher Jones Chevrolet
Driven only 8,793 miles before the owner and builder purchased it in 1997
Completely disassembled and reconstructed into the car it is today
The new digital odometer reads just 544 miles, for a total of 9,337 actual miles since new
That works out to roughly 15 miles a month across 52 years — a remarkably preserved foundation for a one-of-a-kind build
Truly a one-of-a-kind ride: there is only one Ghost, and you’re unlikely to see another like it

Performance & Drivetrain

This is where The Ghost becomes a genuine muscle car. Under the cowl-induction hood sits a custom-built powerhouse, assembled with the best parts money can buy — all American-made, all documented, and all “BC” (Before China).

454 CID big-block V8 assembled to produce well north of 500 horsepower
All new from the crankcase to the air cleaner — every part precision-made and documented
SCAT high-performance internals, including a forged steel crank, connecting rods, and pistons
Edelbrock 10.5:1 compression aluminum heads
Crane roller rockers
Custom-fabricated long-tube headers
MSD ignition and fuel injection for crisp, modern reliability
11-inch Centerforce clutch transferring power through a beefed-up custom driveline
Custom-built 10-bolt PosiTraction rear end with hardened axles by TEN Factory
Six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission that mixes the gears effortlessly and loafs in overdrive on the freeway

Chassis & Braking

No detail has gone untouched in keeping this radical ride planted and stopping with confidence.

Custom-crafted chassis engineered to handle as much as 700 horsepower
Built to keep the car going straight when the go pedal hits the floor
Big drilled and slotted 4-wheel disc brake rotors for serious stopping power
Huge aluminum radiator to keep temperatures in check
Anti-sway bars and traction bars for stability and grip
Power steering for easy, composed control

Interior Features

Custom-fabricated black interior, finished to a high standard
Bench seats front and rear with embroidered SS stitching
The factory SS package headliner, complete with its large sculpted SS logo, still remains
Air conditioning for genuine year-round comfort
Auto Sound stereo system for cruising in style

Build Quality & Documentation

A no-detail-overlooked build, executed with real skill and patience
Every component American-made — from the harmonic balancer to the competition-built rear end
Parts are precision-made and documented, giving you confidence in the quality throughout
As a nod to the era it was built, the car still rides on the Centerline rims popular at the time
The result is a car built to deliver thrills without letting you down

Ownership & Mileage

Just 9,337 actual miles since new (8,793 original miles plus 544 since the rebuild)
Acquired by the current owner and builder in 1997, then fully reconstructed
A preserved, low-mileage foundation transformed into a purpose-built muscle machine
Documented throughout — this is an honest, carefully built car

The Driving Experience

The custom 454 big block roars to life and unleashes radical, satisfying power on demand
The Tremec T56 six-speed rewards true three-pedal driving, shifting effortlessly through the gears
As quick as it accelerates, it settles into a relaxed cruise in overdrive on the open road
The reinforced chassis, traction bars, and big disc brakes keep everything composed and confident
This is a car for anyone who still loves the thrill of unleashing real power in a manual-shift machine