Chevy Novas are the Brussels Sprouts of My Youth
My mom was a fantastic cook by 1980s standards—let’s start with that. If it hadn’t been for the technological limitations, the cultural norms of the time, and the picky eating habits of her children, she could have been a legendary chef. Her culinary creativity was stifled by my sister’s unwavering preference for ground beef patties and my habit of sneakily feeding any green vegetable to our mange-afflicted Wheaten Terrier, “Sugar”.
Microwaves were still a novelty in our kitchen, and crockpots hadn’t yet made their mark in northern Florida. The true stars of the pantry were the newly released Stove Top Stuffing, Tuna Helper, and Pepperoni Hot Pockets. Convenience reigned supreme, and if vegetables made it to the plate, you could only hope they were broiled rather than boiled. Sadly, I wasn’t that lucky.
Today, we casually sprinkle balsamic vinaigrette, bacon bits, or shredded parmesan on dishes, but in 1983, those were practically unknown in suburban kitchens. Instead, we had boiled Brussels sprouts served on TV trays in front of the nightly lineup. The schedule was iconic: *Happy Days*, followed by *Laverne & Shirley*, and then *The Carol Burnett Show*. For those unfamiliar, the magic of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman was unmatched. If I was lucky, I could watch Bruce Banner wrestle with his anger issues on the iconic *The Incredible Hulk*. BTW, that investigative reporter was horrendous at his job.
Now Let’s Talk Cars…
…specifically Chevrolet Novas. I’ll be honest, I was never a fan. The 1968–74 models, in particular, just didn’t do it for me. They lacked the flair that defined the era. Mustangs nailed that perfect mix of a bold grille, a short deck, and a long hood, cementing their place as pony car legends. Third-gen Corvettes? Sleek, shark-like masterpieces of coke-bottle styling. Even Chevrolet’s own Camaro, though not as iconic as the Mustang, captured about 78.6% of its beauty. And Mopars? They were big, bold, and unapologetically stylish. But Novas? They always felt bloated, utilitarian, and uninspired.
What else felt Bloated, Utilitarian and Uninspired?
Boiled brussel sprouts. They were the epitome of boring, sweaty, mushy green misery. But as I grew up, went to college, entered the professional world, and got married, my perspective shifted. Brussels sprouts got a makeover—roasted, charred, crisp, and packed with bold flavors. Those once-dreaded little veggies transformed into crunchy, savory delights that both challenged and rewarded my taste buds. Funny how tastes evolve, isn’t it?
My Transforming Tastes
My perceptions about certain collector cars also transformed. Pop-Up headlights became kitschy, Ferrari F50s finally became decent-looking, unrestored and original was much more desired over extra chrome and mag wheels: and Novas became not-vomit-inducing. Yes, strong words…but like the caterpillar that becomes a beautiful Monarch butterfly, some transformations take time.
The Transformation is Complete
During a recent trip to the American Muscle Car Museum, I was immersed in a stunning display of high-performance muscle cars, including an extraordinary collection of Novas—Yenkos, LT-1s, COPOs. It felt as if my once Nova-indifferent self had transformed, breaking free from its preconceived opinions to embrace the beauty of these legendary machines. Like overcooked brussels sprouts suddenly turning crispy, savory, and adorned with bacon bits and cheese, my appreciation for Novas had been completely reborn.
So What’s Your Brussel Sprouts?
How have your tastes changed over time? Share with me by responding to this email.
Call to Action!
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