In 1999, Schrader went to some car shows and swap meets and the Nova bug bit him again. He wanted one like the one he used to have.
“I couldn’t find one with a 3-speed and all, but in 2003 I found a 1971 Nova SS and decided that was going be my car. I really couldn’t afford it,” Schrader continued, “so my dad said he’d help me pay for the car to get the project started. Ironically, my dad died five months later, and mother, three months after that. I’d already lost my siblings, so I decided I would restore that Nova to like-new as a tribute to my father for supporting my dream.”
That Nova, which is loaded with about every option available, was finished in 2007. It has won more awards that Schrader can count, including 13 national awards, the Gold Class ranking from the National Nostalgic Nova organization three times and Best of Class at both the Dayton Concours d’Elegance and Ault Park Concours.
“While I was getting this car done, I went to car shows everywhere, always talking to the Nova people, and I was badgering them for info, and getting their names and contact info. Then I realized, there are a lot of these people out there; I’ll start a club,” he said.
Schrader operates the club, Miami Valley Novas, from his North Dayton home and maintains a website, a Facebook page and a monthly newsletter.
“You have to own a Nova, be passionate about the cars and help promote the Nova to belong. I don’t allow just anyone to join,” he added.
The club has no dues or meetings; Schrader foots the bills from his own pocket.
“I want to give something back to people who love these cars. They helped me when I was restoring my cars and dealing with some personal struggles, and I’m in the position to do so. I really enjoy this.”
Schrader, who is retired and has three Novas including a green 1971 model that is his daily driver, tries to organize about a dozen get-togethers at car shows each year. He posts the dates on the website and also posts photos from the shows afterward.
“I’m getting to be a pretty good photographer, too,” he said.
The website contain lots of historical information about the Nova, and a link to each member with information and photos of his or her car or cars. The members of the club come from the tri-state area, and they own about 148 Novas. The club will also soon be featured in Muscle Car Review.
Bill Holder has written an article about the group, which prompted a photo session in the spring that brought 55 members and their Novas to a parking lot in Huber Heights for some photos to be taken by Phil Kunz. It was an impressive gathering of Novas – a testament to the popularity of a car that has been gone for 37 years, and to Ron Schrader’s love of the machine and their caretakers.
To learn more about the group, go online to www.miamivalleynovas.com.
About the Author