Rick from Euro-Nova posted to let me know that this mystery Nova that’s been doing the blog rounds was actually owned by Steve McHugh, who has been radically customizing it over the last decade. In its early stages it still looked a lot like a Sterling/Nova, with ground effects and modernized body work.

The second stage refined this look even more and added inspirations from the Ferrari Enzo and other vehicles. I should add that Steve did all of this work himself, in his driveway (recalling miserable wet Tamworth, UK days standing in the driveway with a hairdryer trying to fiberglass)!

After that, Steve kind of went off the deep end and really started transforming the vehicle into his own vision, not retaining much more than the roof! Here’s the project in progress:

Finally, some pictures taken by the founder of the Euro-Nova forums for a Discovery Channel contest that Steve entered and won… Sort of a Rat-Fink-meets-British-kit-car bizarrism now? As almost everyone has pointed out, it’s definitely a “love it or hate it” sort of creation.

I can’t wait to see where he goes next… I hope he tackles the hood/front, because it looks a little awkward (and a little plain) in comparison to the rest of the vehicle.

Also, here’s a YouTube video of the latest iteration of Steve McHugh’s custom Nova.

The photos in this entry were taken from the Euro-Nova forums and Cycoholic’s archive of pictures of Steve McHugh’s Nova, where you can find even more pictures. In addition to his recent and ongoing Nova project, Steve also built a V12 Bond Bug and a heavily modified Robin Reliant “Odyssey” 3-wheeler.

The folks over on Exotic Spotter just posted some photos taken in Tamworth, UK of this radically modified Nova (Sterling) kit car on a VW chassis — although only the roof/window/door assembly appears to have been retained. It also seems to be using pieces from a Corvette (the dash), a Cougar (front lights), and a Vauxhall (rear lights)… Other than the front lights I like it.

PS. Notice the “53″ Herbie homage?

In these photos is Konstantin Stassinopoulos’s widebody Nova/Sterling project in what I believe is an earlier stage of the project. More details on the dramatic (to say the least!) car are in the previous entry. Do be sure to check out his website for more of his automotive projects, as well as his other non-car design work.

I quite like the wild widebody conversion Konstantin Stassinopoulos from Koon Design in Germany has done with his Nova/Sterling. He bought the car back in 1993, and first upgraded the engine, swapping the little Beetle engine for a 220HP 2.8L V6 and strengthening the chassis. Later he stretched the body by almost a foot, and built absolutely massive fender flares as well as adding other minor tweaks like a remote-control hatch. The car has been through a number of iterations with a variety of scoops, wings, and effects.

Definitely looks right out of some post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie, especially with the matte-black paint job and excess of vents.

Speaking of the Nova, here’s one for sale in Neath Port Talbot, UK (#200233437106). It’s built to original specifications with no modifications, on a 1500cc 1969 VW Beetle chassis. Everything is new and it’s barely been driven, with less than 1700 miles recorded. A great car that’s perfect for someone looking to own one of the kit car industry’s classic designs in it’s original forms — the Nova/Sterling has been through at least a dozen iterations under a dozen corporations.