Well i do know something about brakes......exspecialy on a 1973 nova...if you go drum rebuild them and buy new drums...at least on the front....since it is a old car and you said you are going to "test it out" then i would also replace the calipers and shoes also, IF they are leaking....when i changed my shoes and i noticed mine were leaking but didn't do anything about it...then going about 60 and was slowing down and my left side locked up on me....yeah the brake fluid leaked down into it and it just locked up....but now i fixed all of it and they are pretty Decent brakes for 33 years of age and it will stop you(complete rebuild of brakes cost me 12$ for the calipers, 12$ for the complete Left and right front shoes, and 30$ a piece for the new drums...)...even if you have disk...it's not abs and will still lock up on you if you really need to stop...oh and don't forget to bleed the brakes...heh...i made that mistake also....