Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced Jeremiah Belk and his 1966 Nova as the winner of the 2025 Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine of the Year award. The Muscle Machine of the Year title, one of Goodguys’ “Top 12 of the Year” awards presented by BASF, was crowned during the Goodguys 32nd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on Sept. 27.
The Nova, built by Driven Speed Shop of Mesa, Arizona, defines the target of what makes a muscle machine: classic muscle car style with abundant horsepower, contemporary flair and amazing build quality, event officials stated in a press release. Plus, the car needs to prove its performance merit by finishing a 100-mile reliability run, making laps on the autocross track and tearing down the drag strip.
Belk’s Nova Goes Well Beyond What Chevrolet Built in 1966
The original unibody constructed car now sits on a full chassis from Roadster Shop for strength and improved handling. Power is five times the original output, capable of producing 1,000 horsepower thanks to a Wegner Racing 427-ci engine topped with a Whipple supercharger. Giant disc brakes provide instant stopping power and the car rolls on Forgeline wheels wrapped in Micheline Pilot Sport tires.
The team at Driven Speed Shop treated the body to substantial sheet metal refinements that include a smoothed and raised cowl, tucked bumpers, deleted trim, shaved drip rails and flush-mounted glass. Kandy Shop Kreations was called in for final bodywork and to apply the PPG Audi Daytona Pearl paint.
Goodguys says the interior is equally as custom and modernized with a leather-wrapped custom dash fitted with Holley digital instruments. The bulk of the interior work was handled by Sew Cal Rods, including stitching new seats in red and black leather. There’s also air conditioning, a powerful stereo and a rollcage for added safety.
Five More Winners To Go in the Top 12 of the Year Awards
To round out their 2025 Top 12 of the Year program, Goodguys will be announcing the final five winning vehicles on Friday, Oct. 3. These final award winners will include the 2025 Snap-On Muscle Car of the Year, Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year, LMC Truck of the Year (Early), Dakota Digital Truck of the Year (Late), and Scott’s Hotrods N’ Customs Custom of the Year.
Check out some of the other Goodguys’ Top 12 of the Year winning vehicles for 2025, including the 2025 BASF Most Bitchin’ Car of the Year, which was also announced at the 32nd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals.