Speedtech & QA1 Power Custom "Cha Cha" '69 Nova
In a powerful homage to Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, the trailblazing “First Lady of Drag Racing,” Red River Customs has completed the first of what will be a limited series of 1969 “Cha Cha Nova” Chevrolet Nova’s. Each car — the first of which was revealed to the public at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas — is a tribute to Muldowney’s storied career and showcases Red River Customs’ capabilities and its partnership with brands like Speedtech Performance and QA1. Built in close collaboration with Muldowney, the car delivers on her directive to produce a fast car with a bold, unmistakable aesthetic with cues of her famed pink colorway.
The Cha Cha Nova project uses a Speedtech Performance Extreme Subframe and High Mount Independent Rear Suspension as its foundation. This modern chassis setup provides exceptional handling and stability, which is essential for managing the car’s four-digit power output. Baer 14-inch, six-piston brakes with custom Sparkling Berry calipers bring the car to a halt, while Michelin tires mounted on Forgeline wheels ensure grip in every corner. Custom-tuned, one-of-a-kind QA1 MOD Series shocks featuring pink anodizing balance precision damping with a tribute to Muldowney’s iconic style.
Under the hood is Chevrolet Performance’s ZZ632 big-block crate engine, producing 1,004 horsepower. This naturally aspirated powerplant features a custom intake manifold and throttle body, and breathes through silver ceramic headers feeding a custom 3.5-inch polished stainless exhaust system. Despite its race-ready power, the ZZ632 is designed to run on 93-octane pump gas, making this Nova equally at home on the strip or the street.
A TREMEC Magnum six-speed manual transmission and a custom 4-inch driveshaft deliver the power efficiently. Red River has added supporting systems like an aftermarket A/C system and dual-fan radiator to ensure interior comfort and mechanical reliability, while Rick’s Tanks stainless fuel system ensures seamless delivery of high-octane performance. These components come together to make the Cha Cha Nova a versatile machine capable of delivering both brutal acceleration and long-haul comfort.
Inside, the Cha Cha Nova is full of modern amenities blended with design cues honoring Muldowney. Two Holley Pro Dash screens with custom gauge layouts provide real-time data, while laser-etched tuck ’n’ roll leather seat inserts list every dragstrip where Muldowney clinched victories or championships in her career. Her signature graces the horn button, headrests, and glovebox door, further personalizing each car. Modern touches include push-button start, LED lighting, and a high-end, proessionaly-tuned audio system with dual subwoofers and speakers.
The exterior is a work of art, painted in a striking combination of Axalta’s Switchblade Silver, Royal Amethyst, and Sparkling Berry. Red River utilized custom carbon-fiber body panels, including the hood, decklid, bumpers, and headlight bezels, to give the car a futuristic appearance. Subtle details, like scalloped side graphics and “Cha Cha Nova” emblems ensure its place as a rolling tribute to Muldowney’s career.
Red River has established exclusivity with this limited run of cars through a certification process, with each “Cha Cha Nova” featuring an authenticated serial number plate licensed by Shirley Muldowney Enterprises Inc., along with her personal autograph. Delivered with a certificate of authenticity, these Novas are true collector’s items. For those fortunate enough to secure one, this limited-edition Nova is a rare opportunity to own a highly capable, high-performance pro-touring car with some drag racing history infused.
