By D. Brian Smith
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There's something downright intoxicating about a classic American muscle car that looks like it means business. Black paint, big rear tires, a nasty V8 rumble, and enough horsepower to make the laws of physics seem more like friendly suggestions than hard-and-fast rules.
For professional performance car builder and drag racer Shawn Ellington, better known to millions of Street Outlaws fans as Murder Nova, that intoxicating combination has been a way of life for years.
And here's some terrific news for Chevrolet enthusiasts, drag racing fans, and anyone who appreciates a wickedly fast classic muscle car: Ellington will be making two special appearances at the Classic Industries booth #23877 during the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas!
The Oklahoma-based builder and television personality will meet fans on Tuesday, November 3, from 1–2 p.m., and Thursday, November 5, from 1–2 p.m.
If you've ever dreamed about owning a classic Chevy Nova with enough horsepower to give a Top Fuel dragster a run for its money, well, perhaps not quite that much horsepower, Shawn Ellington is a fellow gearhead you'll want to meet!
A Gearhead's Education Begins in Oklahoma
Long before the television cameras, championship racing, and celebrity appearances, Shawn Ellington was just another youngster who loved automobiles.
Born in Merced, California, in 1977, Ellington moved with his family to Sayre, Oklahoma, when he was five years old. His father, Richard Ellington, operated an automotive body shop, providing young Shawn with the sort of hands-on education that no classroom could duplicate.
While other kids were spending their afternoons playing video games, Shawn was learning about bodywork, sanding, paint preparation, and the craftsmanship required to transform a tired automobile into something special.
His father's shop became the foundation for a lifelong automotive obsession.
Shawn developed an appreciation for restoration work, custom paint, and the satisfaction of building something with his own two hands. That early experience would eventually serve him well when his interests shifted from beautiful automobiles to extraordinarily fast ones.
The Birth of the Murder Nova
Left: Original Murder Nova top image, New Murder Nova bottom image (photos courtesy of John Galbraith Photography)
In 2005, Ellington relocated to Oklahoma City, where he discovered a thriving community of serious performance enthusiasts.
Initially, his weapon of choice was a black 1969 Chevrolet Camaro with a supercharged big-block V8. It was a good-looking street machine with enough horsepower to get noticed.
But Ellington soon realized that if he wanted to compete with Oklahoma City's quickest racers, he needed something more specialized.
Enter the 1969 Chevrolet Nova.
Ellington purchased a Nova race car roller equipped with the larger rear tires and chassis configuration he believed would provide a competitive advantage. The plan was to transplant the Camaro's powertrain into the lighter, more competition-oriented Chevrolet.
It was an inspired decision.
With its sinister flat-black appearance, enormous rear tires, and formidable V8 horsepower, the Nova looked as though it had escaped from the pages of an old-school drag racing magazine.
The car became known as the Murder Nova, and one of the most recognizable Chevrolet Novas in modern American drag racing history was born.
Ellington's association with fellow Oklahoma City racer Justin "Big Chief" Shearer helped accelerate the car's development. Together, they refined the combination, challenged increasingly quicker competitors, and helped establish the reputation that eventually brought both men national recognition.
How Much Horsepower? How About 3,400!
For most enthusiasts, a well-built 350-cubic-inch small-block Chevy producing 400 horsepower is plenty of excitement.
A healthy 454 big block with 500 or 600 horsepower? Now we're talking serious muscle!
But the original Murder Nova eventually evolved into an entirely different category of performance.
One of its best-documented engine combinations featured a 572-cubic-inch Pro Line Racing big-block Chevrolet V8, force-fed by a pair of massive 88mm Precision turbochargers.
The engine utilized a Lunati crankshaft, Oliver connecting rods, Diamond pistons, Dart Pro 2-cylinder heads, and a COMP Cams solid-roller camshaft.
Fuel delivery and engine management were handled by sophisticated FuelTech electronic fuel injection.
With approximately 42 pounds of boost, the engine was reportedly capable of producing around 3,400 horsepower.
Yes, that's three thousand, four hundred horsepower!
To put that figure into perspective, a legendary 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 was advertised at 450 gross horsepower. Ellington's turbocharged monster produced more than seven times that factory rating, although the figures were established using different testing conventions.
Of course, producing tremendous horsepower is only half the battle. Getting that power to the pavement without instantly turning the rear tires into molten rubber is another matter entirely.
The Nova employed a sophisticated four-link rear suspension, adjustable racing shocks, and a carefully engineered drivetrain.
A Rossler-built Turbo 400 automatic transmission delivered power through a carbon-fiber driveshaft to a Strange Engineering nine-inch rear axle assembly.
In a configuration documented by HOT ROD in 2015, the Murder Nova covered the eighth mile in an astonishing 4.42 seconds at 178 mph, running on 275 drag radial tires.
That's breathtaking performance from an automobile wearing the familiar sheet metal of a 1969 Chevrolet Nova!
New Murder Nova in Black or White: Building a Better Beast
Above: New Murder Nova in white (photo courtesy of Mallory Elizabeth Photography)
As racing technology advanced and the competition grew quicker, Ellington recognized that the original Murder Nova had limitations.
Years of hard launches, demanding competition, and continual horsepower increases had taken their toll.
Rather than simply installing another engine or adding more boost, Ellington decided to create an entirely new Murder Nova.
The replacement debuted at the 2016 Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis.
Constructed by Don Dial Race Cars, the new Nova featured a lightweight chromoly chassis, extensive carbon-fiber components, and an SFI-certified roll cage.
Importantly, Ellington retained much of the original 1969 Nova's unmistakable appearance.
Underneath that familiar black bodywork, however, was a thoroughly modern racing machine.
Its initial engine combination featured a 482-cubic-inch Pro Line Racing V8 equipped with twin 88mm Precision turbochargers and FuelTech electronic fuel injection.
A Rossler Turbo 400 automatic transmission transferred the horsepower to the rear wheels.
The result was a lighter, safer, more technologically sophisticated Murder Nova, engineered to remain competitive against the quickest cars in the country.
Ellington also retained the original car, affectionately known as the OG Murder Nova, which continued to have an important place in his racing program.
More Than a Murder Nova: Shawn Ellington's 1955 Chevy Bel Air
As if the legendary Murder Nova weren't enough to keep him busy, Shawn Ellington also has a soft spot for Tri-Five Chevrolets. His red-and-black 1955 Chevy Bel Air is another serious drag racing machine with a fascinating history. Originally campaigned in 10.5-inch tire competition with a nitrous-injected big-block Chevy V8, the '55 eventually spent more than a decade on the sidelines before Ellington and his 187 Customs crew brought it back to life in 2021. This time, the classic Chevy received a potent ProCharger-supercharged LS engine, giving the vintage Bow Tie a thoroughly modern dose of horsepower.
Unfortunately, the Bel Air suffered a major setback when Ellington's father, Richard, crashed the car during an Oklahoma drag racing event in May 2021. Thankfully, Richard survived, and the family wasn't about to give up on their beloved '55. The Chevy eventually returned to racing, proving that Ellington's passion for high-performance Chevrolets extends well beyond his famous Murder Nova. For Tri-Five enthusiasts, it's another great example of old-school American iron meeting new-school horsepower!
Street Outlaws Turns Murder Nova into a Household Name
When Discovery Channel introduced Street Outlaws in 2013, television audiences were given a front-row seat to Oklahoma City's extraordinarily competitive performance car culture.
Among the personalities who quickly captured viewers' attention was Shawn Ellington.
His flat-black Nova became one of the show's signature automobiles, and the nickname Murder Nova became synonymous with the man behind the wheel.
But Ellington's appeal extended beyond his car's menacing appearance and tremendous horsepower.
Viewers watched a talented builder and driver confront mechanical setbacks, experiment with new combinations, and battle equally determined competitors.
They also witnessed the importance of teamwork.
Ellington's racing operation eventually developed into the 187 Customs organization, featuring a group of dedicated builders, fabricators, mechanics, and racing specialists.
Among his closest associates is Daniel "Phantom" Parker, whose involvement has been an important part of the Murder Nova racing story.
For fans who appreciate the work that happens behind the scenes, the 187 Customs team offers a fascinating look at the engineering, fabrication, and persistence required to keep a serious racing machine competitive.
After all, those spectacular four-second eighth-mile passes don't happen without countless hours of preparation.
From No Prep Kings Champion to Pro Mod Competition 
Ellington's racing accomplishments eventually extended beyond his original Oklahoma City roots.
His participation in Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings introduced another challenge: competing on racing surfaces with limited preparation, where managing traction is just as important as making horsepower.
In 2024, Ellington captured the No Prep Kings individual championship, adding another impressive accomplishment to his racing résumé.
Later that year, he announced another major step in his career: a move into professional Pro Modified competition.
This time, his race car wasn't a Nova.
One of the most appealing aspects of Shawn Ellington's story is his continued appreciation for classic American automobiles.
Ellington was selected to drive a beautiful baby-blue 1969 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Keith and Misty Haney of Keith Haney Racing.
The Camaro featured a Pro Line Racing Hemi-based engine equipped with twin Hart's turbochargers.
For a racer whose reputation was built around a flat-black Chevrolet Nova, the transition to a professionally campaigned Pro Mod Camaro represented an exciting new chapter.
It also demonstrated the confidence other accomplished racing professionals had in Ellington's abilities as a driver and team leader.
Classic American
Muscle: The Connection That Never Gets Old
Sure, his race cars employ sophisticated electronics, specialized racing engines, and chassis technology that would have been unimaginable when Chevrolet introduced the 1969 Nova.
But underneath all that performance engineering is a familiar American muscle car silhouette.
And that's where Ellington's automotive passion intersects with the interests of Classic Industries customers.
The 1968–1974 Chevrolet Nova has long been a favorite among restoration enthusiasts, drag racers, and street machine builders.
Its relatively lightweight construction, straightforward mechanical layout, and generous engine compartment make it an excellent foundation for everything from a factory-original restoration to an outrageous big-block-powered street machine.
Fortunately, a Nova doesn't need 3,400 horsepower to be an absolute blast to drive!
A properly restored small-block Nova with good suspension components, dependable brakes, and a healthy exhaust note can deliver plenty of smiles per gallon.
For enthusiasts looking to bring one of these classic Chevrolets back to life, Classic Industries offers an extensive selection of restoration, replacement, and performance components.
From exterior trim and weatherstripping to interior upholstery, lighting, suspension components, and engine compartment restoration parts, there's no shortage of ways to improve these iconic automobiles.
And whether you're building a show-quality restoration or a street-and-strip terror, the satisfaction of transforming a classic Chevrolet into your personal dream machine is hard to beat.
Explore the 1969 Chevrolet Nova restoration and performance parts available from Classic Industries.
Meet Shawn "Murder Nova" Ellington at Classic Industries SEMA Booth #23877!
The 2026 SEMA Show is shaping up to be another outstanding celebration of automotive innovation, restoration, and high-performance engineering.
And for fans of Street Outlaws, classic Chevrolet muscle cars, and serious drag racing horsepower, the Classic Industries booth will be an especially exciting destination.
Shawn Ellington will be appearing twice during the show, giving attendees two opportunities to meet the man behind the legendary Murder Nova.
Shawn Ellington — SEMA 2026 Appearance Schedule
TUESDAY
Nov. 3
1–2 p.m.
THURSDAY
Nov. 5
1–2 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Classic Industries Booth #23877
All appearance times are Pacific Time.
Appearance schedule provided by Classic Industries. SEMA Show 2026 runs November 3–6.
Whether you're a longtime fan of the original Murder Nova, a Chevy Nova restoration enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the craftsmanship required to build an exceptionally quick American muscle car, Ellington's appearances promise to be memorable.
Stop by, say hello, and celebrate the shared enthusiasm for classic Chevrolets and high-performance machinery.
Who knows? You might even pick up a little inspiration for your own project car.
Just remember, there's absolutely nothing wrong with starting with a mild small-block and working your way up.
After all, even the mighty Murder Nova had to start somewhere!
We'll see you at SEMA 2026!
Visit Classic Industries for restoration and performance parts, and the official SEMA Show website for event details.
