THE CHA CHA NOVA: A Roaring Tribute to Drag-Racing Royalty
January 7, 2025
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
LOT #1413 – 1969 CHEVROLET NOVA CUSTOM COUPE “CHA CHA NOVA” – NO RESERVE
Heading to the 2025 Scottsdale Auction with No Reserve is a special custom 1969 Chevrolet Nova known as “Cha Cha,” which pays homage to drag-racing legend Shirley Muldowney. This isn’t your average street cruiser – this is a car built to dominate the pavement. At the heart of the Cha Cha Nova lies a Chevrolet Performance ZZ632 big-block engine pumping out a staggering 1,004 horsepower. Topped with a Hogan’s Racing custom intake manifold and a Motion Raceworks ICON throttle body, the Cha Cha Nova breathes like a race-ready monster, eager to obliterate anything in its path.
Cooling the beast is a Griffin custom radiator, paired with dual 12-inch fans and stainless intake tubes feeding through twin K&N air filters. Keeping up with the demands of such monstrous power is a Rick’s Tanks custom stainless fuel system, with dual pumps that never let the Cha Cha Nova miss a beat.
The car sits on a Speedtech Performance Extreme subframe and Extreme High Mount independent rear suspension, delivering top-tier stability and handling to support its raw power. And with Baer 14-inch 6-piston brakes, finished off with Sparkling Berry calipers, this car stops just as impressively as it accelerates.
The power transfer comes courtesy of the Tremec Magnum 6-speed manual transmission shifting through a custom 4-inch aluminum driveshaft to Forgeline DE3C wheels – 19×11 inches up front and 20×11 in the rear – wrapped with massive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires hitting the ground with 10 inches of rubber on the front and 12 inches on the rear for maximum grip.
Visually, the Cha Cha Nova is nothing short of stunning, while harnessing strength from a high-tech blend of custom designed carbon-fiber components, such as the hood, decklid, front and rear bumpers, inner fenders and headlight bezel eyebrows.
This meticulously forged icon is transformed into a masterpiece of design with a collaboration between Red River Customs and Shirley Muldowney’s color palette of Switchblade Silver, Royal Amethyst and Sparkling Berry paint provided by Axalta and Tropical Glitz – resulting in a breathtaking fusion of power and elegance that commands attention.
Step inside and you’re greeted by a handcrafted interior designed by Red River Customs that rivals the finest custom builds. The door panels, seats and dashboard are wrapped with luxurious leather and then double-stitched by PaulG Custom Interiors with striking pink and nickel that flows throughout the cabin. The tuck and roll leather inserts carry a special tribute: Laser-etched into the upholstery are the names of all the drag strips where Muldowney made history, winning 18 national championships and four world championships.
At the heart of the cockpit is a Billet Specialties steering wheel, custom-wrapped in hand-stitched leather, providing a firm grip for any speed demon behind the wheel. Looking through the wheel, you’ll catch one of two Holley Pro Dash screens with custom gauge layouts designed by Red River Customs, rocking Muldowney’s signature.
For safety and stability, the Cha Cha Nova comes equipped with Crow 5-point safety harnesses and a custom 4-point roll cage, allowing you to enjoy its blistering speed with total confidence.
This ride is locked and loaded with a fully modern Red River Customs-designed sound system, orchestrated by a bold 13-inch Android touchscreen display with a backup camera. It turns into a mobile concert powerhouse with Focal dual amps, subwoofers and Utopia mid-range speakers, tweeters and crossovers – dialed in to perfection by Abel’s Touch. This muscle machine doesn’t just move – it hits like a sonic sledgehammer.
When it’s time to park, the LED Bangin’ Headlights with halo turn signals, sequential LED taillights and infinite parking lights make sure this machine keeps stealing the show, lighting up the night and demanding attention even when it’s standing still.
This isn’t just a car; it’s a statement – a symbol of what happens when engineering, craftsmanship and a passion for racing collide. With 1,004 horsepower of pure muscle, jaw-dropping custom design and a tribute to a racing icon embedded into its very soul, this car stands as a legacy in motion.
The Cha Cha Nova will forever honor Shirley Muldowney’s contributions to drag racing, all while creating its own history, one quarter-mile at a time. Register to bid today for a chance to make it yours.
Written by Christopher Burgess, Red River Customs