The 1970 Chevy Nova in Death Proof
Death Proof is Quentin Tarantino’s homage to grindhouse carsploitation classics of the 1970s, and features a serial killer named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) who has modified his 1970 into a killing machine that is “death proof” for the person behind the wheel. Mike gets a thrill from killing women behind the wheel.
His Nova had the license plate JJZ-109, an homage to Steve McQueen’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback in Bulitt. The film, which Tarantino has called his worst (though in his defense, it’s supposed to be trashy fun, and delivers) featured four Novas behind the scenes. To make the car look even meaner under the hood, the Death Proof team reportedly upgraded the Nova’s 350 cubic inch V8 engine by adding a TH350 transmission, 650 Edelbrock carburetor, and shocks with a JAZ 12-gallon fuel cell.
As lovingly, horrifically shot in Death Proof, the Nova is one of the most menacing and beautiful cars of all.
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