Aussie invader at top US auction prize

Queenslander Robert Zahabi has come a long way, literally. He’s done the distance and time, and his hand-built 1970 Chevrolet Nova is in contention for the $US100,000 Barrett-Jackson Cup, one of North America's most sought-after automotive auction prizes.

Zahabi's sinful black Nova is one of the younger cars in a 2015 field that includes a Chip Foose-built 1965 Chevy Impala that took home the Ridler Award this year.

Everyone is talking about a beautiful 1956 Plymouth Belvedere convertible that’s built to cruise and be cool. Another Mopar, the 1965 Dodge Dart -- dressed in bright green and carrying an attitude punctuated by a supercharged 392ci Hemi V8 -- is also a crowd favourite.

But the Nova is visibly different from the other 24 contenders. For one, there’s not a flash of chrome on a body that looks basically standard.

The Nova holds your attention in other ways. Maybe it is because Zahabi built the Nova in his Gold Coast workshop. It is the only non-American entry here and clearly shows that Australians bring a different focus to building their street machines.

Almost 30 years ago Rex Webster brought his FJ Holden to the US and introduced the Americans to the Aussie way. Zahabi has been here before with a 1969 blown Camaro (Kamaro) that in 2012 was selected in the Top 15 at SEMA. The Nova proves his talents run deep.

Power is a top priority and the Nova gets it done with a 572ci (9.4-litre) Chevy big-block V8 breathing through a pair of Pro Charger superchargers. The engine was built in Canberra at Jake’s Performance.

“I build my cars around stance and engine. A car cannot look tough and not sound tough,” says Robert.

Unfortunately Zahabi's Nova wasn’t selected into the Final Five. Not that he was disappointed. He got the last word when he fired up the big-block and slowly drove the Nova away. It sounded awesome, like something NASA would create.

The Final Five included the 1965 Impala, the 1965 Dodge Dart and the Belvedere convertible. The other two finalists were a 1957 Chevrolet pick-up that downplayed power from its big-block and up-played a red leather Corvette interior, and a 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air bubbletop with a supercharged 6.2-litre LS9 and subtle body modifications highlighted by custom billet-cut exterior brightwork and form-fit bumpers.

Builder Andy Leach was subtle but very effective and deserving of the $30,000 winner’s cheque at this year's Barrett-Jackson Cup.