Since this author has a 1969 Nova, it doesn’t take much for them to be noticed, but when the Nova in question is on the verge of running in the eights, we think it should garner everyone’s respect. Steve Bullock’s twin-turbocharged 1969 Nova is one to behold.

The 383-inch small block benefits from twin AGP turbos to get the job done, but Bullock is going to turn up the boost to 20 pounds and add a Powerglide to the combination to go even quicker. Bullock’s future plans to change out the current combination for a Dart block set-up and 70mm turbochargers.

The 327 emblems aren’t fooling anyone, especially after Bullock starts up this beast, but the unsuspecting won’t know any better until it’s too late. What’s under the hood is a 383 cubic inch small block with twin AGP 62mm turbochargers in a blow-through arrangement with a CSU carburetor instead of EFI. The combo does run on E85, and Bullock does drive the Nova on the street. However, the car does its best work at the track while running a best-to-date of 9.40 at 155 mph at 10 pounds of boost.

The car relies on a Hughes Performance Pro-VI series 9.5-inch torque converter with an Extreme Duty 10-strut mechanical diode upgrade within a Turbo 400 transmission. The Pro-VI is a full-race converter design built around the need for a converter for larger, more powerful engine combinations. It’s Hughes’ most aggressive race converter, and is designed to deliver “a hard hit off the line and a soft transition down track with no loss in top end efficiency and mile per hour.” Hughes says the Pro-VI runs faster than any other race series converter it makes, but it’s also designed to provide consistent 60-ft times and quick reaction times.

Bullock recently made the switch from the Turbo 400 to a Powerglide in the hopes of being able to bring in more power earlier in the run to go at the eights. With the Powerglide, and increasing the boost to 20 pounds, Bullock hopes to crest that zone very soon.

Weld Racing wheels give Bullock’s Nova the perfect menacing look, but also adds a classy touch at the same time.