The Chevy II was not a rare car in 1966, More than 172,000 of them were built that year, its fifth in production. What was rare is that just 200 of the Basic Series 100 2-door sedans were built with the L79 engine, a 327 cubic inch V8 that produced a whopping 350 hp. This car is documented as being one of those machines and it has been treated to a nut-and-bolt restoration, though the L79 is long gone. With a 350 motor under the hood now, this Canadian-built Chevy II is in Niagara Falls, New York, and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $25,100. But there’s a reserve waiting to be met. A super cool tip from Larry D!
In the early 1960s, Chevrolet would sport two compact cars for buyers to choose from. The first was the somewhat unorthodox Corvair with its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The other was the Chevy II (later Nova) which was engineered like the full-size cars, only smaller. The Chevy II would get its first redesign for 1966-67 but sales were disappointing compared to just five years earlier when the automobile was first introduced. Not well-advertised was that the 1966 Chevy II could be had with the fire-breathing L79 V8 that produced more than one horsepower per cubic inch. 5,481 copies found their way into Chevy II’s that year with about two-thirds going into Super Sports. But just 200 went into the lowly, entry-level, “100” 2-door sedan, like the seller’s auto which was built in Oshawa, Ontario.
The seller has documentation verifying the authenticity of this automobile and the number that has survived must be small. While this beautiful car has been painstakingly restored, it’s no longer an L79 in the true sense of the word as the original drivetrain has been replaced by a 350 V8 paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. However, one could argue that this car is now better than new because of upgrades made to both the suspension and braking (like power front discs). This extensive work was completed n 2014 and the car has seen only 1,500 miles since then.
Documentation provided by the seller confirms the L79 and that the car was finished in Royal Metallic Mist (blue) when it was new. When the off-the-frame-restoration was done, the decision was made to change the exterior color, but the black interior was retained but also restored. We’re told this car was not sold through normal dealer channels but placed into GM of Canada’s product stock, which I think means it was specially ordered. There is also a paper trail from the car’s previous owners for the last 30 years.
The rebuilt engine isn’t stock (with several performance upgrades) but is supported by a functioning cowl induction hood and a reproduction L79 air cleaner. It’s paired with an M21 Muncie 4-speed (also rebuilt) with a new Hurst Competition Plus shifter. The rear axle has been upgraded to a GM 10-bolt unit with Richmond 3.73 years. The seller has provided a walkaround video of the Chevy II. This car presents as quite the sleeper with its economy car looks and dog dish hub caps. If you don’t mind the drivetrain swap, this would be a cool rarity at Cars & Coffee.
So it was an L79 but all the goodies are gone? Even the air cleaner is gone. Then it’s even a different color I am not getting it. Has paperwork for this car? Maybe I am too cynical get your hands on the correct paperwork and tags from a wreck or totaled car? Don’t get me wrong I like the car just has to be a reason drivetrain disappeared, all of it.
You’re correct, I especially liked the “functional cowl induction hood” when there a repop dual snorkel air cleaner on it. It makes zero sense…..
That is the correct air cleaner for the L79 motor I know of 2 L79 67 Nova’s both hardtops but both with the same factory air cleaner as this one has
The 6 – ‘67 L-79 cars were rated at 325 hp, used a cast iron intake, QuadraJet carb and chrome open element air cleaner. The one this car has is a ‘66 Chevy II L-79 only.
Maybe you meant ‘66?
I am curious about the suspension upgrades. I built a ’64 Chev II in my stock – car days with a 327 built to L79 specs and had to go with a front sump pan and pump to clear the front steering suspension. Maybe during the rebuild it received a front clip from a different donor car (?).
Yup JD, did the same thing in with my ’62 Chevy 2 circa 1967. First dad & I replaced the 194 six with a 283, then a year later a guy I knew rolled his Stingray and I bought the 365/327. It was neck snapping fast, to say the least. However that engine seemed like it wanted to come out of that car when I pushed it. Constant tranny replacement (3 speed), numerous rear end replacement (10 bolt), front end alignment? The shop and I were on a first name basis. LOL…. but FAST. :-) Terry J
All of the first and second gen V-8 Chevy 2’s used a unique front sump oil pan and pickup to clear the steering linkage. They also had a unique block (V-8) with a recessed oil filter to clear the clutch linkage
The beauty of a Canadian built car or truck from GM is that they have a historical department that can sell you the info on your vehicle providing they have it for that specific one. It lists the selling dealer, options, build date and shipping date. RPO codes are listed and usually the number of vehicles built with those same options. A pretty cool service up here in the great white north.
So how does one first determine how if their Nova came from Oshawa? Second who do you contact to purchase this info? Department etc? I have a 67 SS here in Michigan and would be interested in having this info.
If the cowl tag has OS on it, then it designates Oshawa Ontario. Canadian documentation (for Canadian built GM products) can be acquired through Vintage Vehicle Services, which is also located in Oshawa. George Zapora is the gentleman that takes care of it. I’ve had 4 vehicles documented through them. Excellent service and they give you everything that can be found for your vehicle.
This is a 2 door sedan, not a coupe. The post and the rear roll down window ruins the entire look of the car for me.
Car and Driver did an article about this and their conclusion is: As you can see, there are few hard and fast rules when it comes to classifying body styles, but placing vehicles in their appropriate segment requires a little wiggle room. Still, as far as we’re concerned, the main differences between a coupe and a sedan haven’t changed. If a car has four doors and a trunk, it’s a sedan. If it has two doors and a trunk, it’s a coupe.
The Society of Automotive Engineers says any vehicle with 33 cubic feet or less of interior space is a coupe.
Everybody’s an expert…
It WAS an L79 car. Now I’d bet it’s got a 4 bolt 350 from a trickup puck. I think I would have at least put a 327 back in it. They’re fine in a light car and live to rev.
Restored = different engine, different brakes, different color, different rear axle, different hood etc. What has been restored? But it is a rare car? Correction was a rare car
Restored means brought back to original, like-new condition. What you’re describing is a ‘resto-mod.’
Hmmm, I would think that if it’s one of 200 and you’re going to tear it completely down it would make sense to bring it back as close as stock as possible. But it wasn’t me doing all this work so hat’s off to the person spending their $$ as they see fit…
The restoration was almost completed by the time the owner stumbled on its pedigree. It’s been discussed on stevesnovasite.com thoroughly. To bring it back to stock specs makes zero sense at this point. The original drivetrain is long gone so it is what it is…which is an L79 Chevy II. If it were sitting in the garage of any person on here complaining about authenticity, or whatever other complaint they have, they’d be changing their tune pretty quickly and harping about it being a 1 of whatever L79. Appreciate it for what it is and the work that went into it.
Another tidbit of information, the Canadian production line in Oshawa had L79 Chevy II’s and L79 Acadians running at the same time, on the same run, etc. And it’s KNOWN that there were 62 L79 Chevy II and Acadian 2 door posts (combined) produced in 1966 in Canada. GM Canada didn’t have the number for how many were Chevy II’s or Acadians, they bunched them together, but a REASONABLE estimate Marion with production numbers of ChevyII’s over Acadians put it at 40 L79 Chevy II’s, and 22 Acadians (2 door posts of course). This information is available on the site as well, if anyone that disagrees with it would like to research it before commenting.
The restoration was almost completed by the time the owner stumbled on its pedigree. It’s been discussed on stevesnovasite.com thoroughly. To bring it back to stock specs makes zero sense at this point. The original drivetrain is long gone so it is what it is…which is an L79 Chevy II. If it were sitting in the garage of any person on here complaining about authenticity, or whatever other complaint they have, they’d be changing their tune pretty quickly and harping about it being a 1 of whatever L79. Appreciate it for what it is and the work that went into it.
Another tidbit of information, the Canadian production line in Oshawa had L79 Chevy II’s and L79 Acadians running at the same time, on the same run, etc. And it’s KNOWN that there were 62 L79 Chevy II and Acadian 2 door posts (combined) produced in 1966 in Canada. GM Canada didn’t have the number for how many were Chevy II’s or Acadians, they bunched them together, but a REASONABLE estimate Marion with production numbers of ChevyII’s over Acadians put it at 40 L79 Chevy II’s, and 22 Acadians (2 door posts of course). This information is available on the site as well, if anyone that disagrees with it would like to research it before commenting.
Supposed to say estimation, not estimate Marion…darn autocorrect
Sorry but this is now a 1 of 1 car . Everything that was cool about this car is gone . It’s just a restomod now .
Beautiful car! It brings back memories of my parents’ first new car. This one is identical on the outside, except ours was Capri Cream in colour. Under the hood is a completely different story; ours was just a 250-C.I. six-banger with Powerglide and no power anything.
Has anyone other than me noticed that the seller on eBay has it listed as a Nova?
It’s just a Chevy II 100.
Green is noice.
That “1 of 200” figure is the seller’s estimate, which renders it meaningless.
I believe you may want to do some research. The 1 of 200 is an estimate for US production, since this is a Canadian car it’s KNOWN that this is actually 1 of 62 L-79 2 door sedans. But, since the Acadian and Chevy 2 numbers were combined (they were produced at the same Oshawa plant at the same time on the same production line), that leaves it as 62 L-79 2 door sedans for both combined. Since GM Canada didn’t separate the numbers from them, it is estimated that about 40~ish cars were Chevy 2’s and the remainder were Acadians. Super rare car. One I’d like to have in my garage for sure.
PS. For the people wondering why it was restored/restomodded/butchered/ whatever the term some come up with, it was well into its current reincarnation and almost finished before its true pedigree was discovered. To bring it back to as close to stock as possible wouldn’t make sense at this point.
Worth no more than a common Chevy II that is nicely built…regardless of pedigree. Maybe a $15-20K car, in my honest opinion. There is nothing left of what made this a rare, L-79 Chevy II. There are more impressive clones with built big blocks and 4-speeds that look bone stock and are way cooler.
Nice car that someone spent a lot of money on, but why “Restore” it to something it never was? And to leave it look stock, but with a cowl hood seems odd to me.
Very nice Chevy 2. I like pretty much all that has been done including the color but it surely is a long way from what the owner claims it once was.
I have a very clean and original 67 SS 327. They are fun cars for sure.What I don’t get here is the engine. Someone went to all the trouble of restoring it but dropped a 350 in it? At least find a correct block…there are a bunch out there for about $2k. Heads and intakes are easy to find. A not original, but correct motor would be the way to go and not cost all that much more than the 350. The Nova/ C-II used a different block with a recessed oil filter mount. The valve covers are Corvette, not Nova.
The hood is a dead giveaway that this wasn’t a lowly stripper with a 6 under it.
A factory Chevy 2 V8 with a stick shift ( 283 or 327) not only had a front sump pan, but above that oil filter boss there was a clutch bell crank mount cast into the block. :-) Terry J
Didn’t think anyone was going to say that you are the only one that knew. I to have a 67 327 correct number L79
Matching number factor 4 speed, positive traction rear end factor blk on blk. Love this car.
When I was about to turn 16 my Dad and I looked a few different cars. One was a early Chevy II with a 4-cylinder. He decided it didn’t have enough power. Then a custom built bright orange ’55 with rolled and pleated black vinyl and a 327 going through a 4-speed. Nope. Too MUCH power. I later ended up with a ’62 Chevy II with a 6-cyl and a 3-on-the-tree. Did I mention Dad was a Chevy guy? LoL