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There was more than one Chevrolet Nova used in Death Proof, so the stunt car and the close-up filming car have different known histories. A December 2023 report said stuntman Buddy Hooker’s son Kenan still had the stunt car called “The Jesus”; the close-up car was later cataloged by Propstore, but the available record does not establish its auction result or present location.
Where is the Death Proof Nova now?
The best-documented surviving stunt Nova, known as “The Jesus,” was bought after filming by stuntman Buddy Hooker and given to his son, Kenan. MotorBiscuit reported in December 2023 that Kenan still had it at that time. That is a dated report, not confirmation of who owns it today.
![Death Proof [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516qjahfrOL._SL160_.jpg)
The separate close-up and dialogue car has a different trail. Propstore cataloged it as lot 115, describing it as a car retained by the production company and later sold to a private collector. The catalog does not establish the auction result, identify the buyer, or say where the car is now.
Two Novas, two different histories
| Car | Production role | What the sources say about its history | Latest status in the cited evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| “The Jesus” | Stunt car | Fraser Engine Co. reports that Buddy Hooker bought it after filming and gave it to his son, Kenan. | MotorBiscuit reported in December 2023 that Kenan still had it. No 2026 ownership confirmation is available in the dossier. |
| Close-up and dialogue car | Screen car for close-up and dialogue scenes; Fraser Engine Co. says it did not perform action scenes. | Propstore cataloged it as lot 115 after it had passed from the production company to a private collector. | The catalog does not establish the completed auction result or its current owner or location. |
Fraser Engine Co. reports that four Novas were used in production, including a separate car called “The Prius” that was destroyed in the cannon roll. That reported count helps explain why stories about a surviving stunt car should not automatically be applied to the close-up car.
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![Death Proof (Extended and Unrated Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OKssaFrWL._SL160_.jpg)
- Blu-ray
- Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Anamorphic
- Spanish (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
- 1
- 113
What was the car, and what year was it?
The film’s memorable black Nova is safest to identify simply as the Chevrolet Nova from Death Proof. Sources disagree about the model year: the screen-vehicle database IMCDb identifies a 1971 Nova and discusses clues that could point to 1971 or 1972, while Fraser Engine Co. and Propstore describe surviving cars as 1970 Novas. The evidence does not support presenting one year as certain.
Do not assume the film car was a factory Nova SS. The dossier notes that the SS identification is disputed in user comments on IMCDb, which are not authoritative production records.
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How the filming cars were modified
Fraser Engine Co. describes the close-up car as having a 350-cubic-inch V8, TH350 transmission, 650 Edelbrock carburetor, Hooker headers, Moroso valve covers, B&M shifter, Positraction rear differential, slapper bars, 12-gallon fuel cell, racing seat, and full roll cage. These are reported production modifications, not factory specifications.
Fraser also reports an opening from the engine bay to the dashboard that routed cooling air into the cabin during filming. Chevrolet’s 1971 vehicle-information kit is the primary source in this dossier for factory options; production equipment should not be confused with those specifications.
These modifications do not mean the car was literally “death proof,” crash-proof, or necessarily roadworthy. Propstore explicitly disclaims any implied roadworthiness warranty for the car it cataloged.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Who owns the Chevy Nova from Death Proof?
The latest located report about “The Jesus” says Kenan Hooker still had that stunt car in December 2023. The close-up car has a separate history: Propstore’s catalog says it passed from the production company to a private collector, but does not identify its present owner.
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- Blue ray Disc
- Spanish Subtitles available
Is the Nova from Death Proof still around?
At least one associated stunt car, “The Jesus,” was reported in Kenan Hooker’s possession in 2023. The close-up car was also cataloged after production, but the sources in the dossier do not confirm its present whereabouts.
Was the car a 1970 or 1971 Nova?
Reports differ. Fraser Engine Co. and Propstore call surviving cars 1970 Novas, while IMCDb identifies the screen vehicle as a 1971 Nova and discusses visual clues that could indicate 1971 or 1972. Attribute the year to the source rather than treating it as settled.
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Was the Death Proof Nova a Nova SS?
The available evidence does not establish that it was an SS. The dossier notes that the identification is disputed in user comments, which are not authoritative production documentation.
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