There isn’t just one surviving Nova from Death Proof. The best-documented stunt car, “The Jesus,” went from stuntman Buddy Hooker to his son Kenan; a December 2023 report said Kenan still had it. The separate close-up car was later owned by a private collector, but its auction result and current whereabouts are not established by the available records.
Why there is more than one answer
Stuntman Mike’s black Chevrolet Nova is central to the first half of Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, but the production used multiple Novas. Fraser Engine Co. reports that four were used, distinguishing a close-up “screen” car from stunt cars. The close-up car did not perform action scenes; one stunt car, “The Jesus,” survived, while another, “The Prius,” was destroyed in the cannon roll. That distinction is essential: the ownership story most often repeated belongs to a stunt car, not automatically to the car used for close-ups and dialogue.
The exact model year is also reported inconsistently. IMCDb identifies the screen vehicle as a 1971 Nova while discussing visual details that could indicate 1971 or 1972; Fraser Engine Co. and Propstore describe surviving cars as 1970 Novas. It is safest to call it the black Nova from Death Proof unless naming a year with attribution. The evidence here also does not establish that it was an SS.
Where “The Jesus” stunt car went
Fraser Engine Co. says stuntman Buddy Hooker bought “The Jesus” after filming and gave it to his son. In a report published December 9, 2023, MotorBiscuit identifies the son as Kenan Hooker and says he still had the car at that time. That is the latest dated ownership report available here, not confirmation of who owns it today.
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The car did not remain exactly as it appeared on screen. MotorBiscuit reports that its 350-cubic-inch small-block was bored to 383 cubic inches and fitted with performance parts; the plexiglass was removed. Those changes describe the reported history of this stunt car and should not be confused with the close-up car’s equipment.
What is known about the close-up car
Propstore cataloged the main close-up and dialogue car as lot 115. Its catalog says the production company retained it before it was later sold to a private collector. The listing gave an estimate of £20,000–£30,000; that was an estimate, not a confirmed sale price. The available catalog record does not establish the auction result, identify a buyer, or show where the car is now.
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Fraser Engine Co. describes this 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. It also had an opening from the engine bay to the dashboard to route cooling air into the cabin during filming. These are described as production modifications, not factory specifications. Chevrolet’s 1971 vehicle-information kit is a primary reference for that model year’s factory engine and transmission options.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “death proof” does—and doesn’t—mean
“Death Proof” is the character’s name for his stunt-modified car and part of the film’s premise, not a verified safety rating. The modifications and stunt equipment were for filmmaking; they do not establish that either Nova was crash-proof or road-safe. Propstore’s catalog also disclaims any implied warranty of roadworthiness for its lot.
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For the production’s action, Fraser Engine Co. reports that the cannon-roll Nova traveled 160 yards. That distance is Fraser’s account, not an independently verified production measurement. The outlet also attributes the phrase “real cars, real shit, all at full speed!” to Tarantino, but its account does not provide the original interview context.
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The two documented cars at a glance
| Car | Production role | Reported provenance and status | What remains unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| “The Jesus” | Stunt car | Fraser Engine Co. says Buddy Hooker bought it after filming and gave it to his son. MotorBiscuit reported in December 2023 that Kenan Hooker still had it. | Its ownership and location after that 2023 report are not confirmed here. |
| Propstore lot 115 | Main close-up and dialogue car; not used for action scenes, according to Fraser Engine Co. | Propstore says the production company retained it before it was sold to a private collector. The catalog listed a £20,000–£30,000 estimate. | The catalog record does not establish the auction result, buyer, sale price, or current location. |
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