A lot of us have vehicles that we don’t wash too often, because we don’t drive them in the snow and rain, or in any other conditions that would cause them to get dirty enough to warrant taking a hose to them in the driveway or, gasp, running them through a car wash. That’s the case with this incredible museum-quality 1974 Chevrolet Nova posted here on craigslist in Appleton, Wisconsin, and the seller is asking $34,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
I have a car that hasn’t been driven in the rain in well over 20 years and hasn’t been washed in probably a dozen years. It sits in storage for the most part, other than a light workout every once in a while on sunny days. This Nova looks like it was kept in the seller’s living room since 1975, this is one incredible car. They list the mileage as being 16,942, and that’s what the odometer shows. It sure looks like the real deal. In case you were wondering, the original wheels come with the sale. I can’t tell whether this is “Bright Orange” or one of the two red colors. Any thoughts on the color? It looks orangish-red, but I’m going with orange.
I’m assuming this car is original in paint and interior, the seller says “original miles” and “original owner.” Sadly, although they provide nice photos of the highlights (both sides, the rear, interior front and rear, and even an engine photo!), they don’t show arguably the biggest part of this car that takes it to another level: the hatchback. We don’t get to see the rear cargo area, and there isn’t a photo showing the hatchback open. Bummer. Buyers could get a two-tone paint treatment, with Antique White on the roof, and with the original wheels, that would be my preference. The third-generation Nova was made from 1967 for the 1968 model year until the end of 1974, with the Chevy II name still in force until the end of 1968.
Speaking of orange, dig that orange carpet! Yeah, I’m going with this being an orange car, and that’s about as cool as it gets for this car or really any car in my world. The herringbone seats appear to be right out of a brochure; they truly look perfect, both front and rear. The seller says they’re selling this Nova for a friend, and I know their $34,000 asking price will raise some collective neck hairs. It does even at Hagerty, where they list a #1 Concours Nova Coupe (they don’t list a Hatchback) as being valued at $18,900.
The brochure-looking engine compartment is where a Chevy 350-cu.in. OHV V8 lives. It would have had 145 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque when new in two-barrel form. It’s backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic in this case, and the seller doesn’t say how it runs but we have to believe it runs as good as it looks. Have any of you owned a third-gen Nova or other similar era GM (B-O-P) hatchback?
Beautiful car. 2.73 gear std, but the Good General offered a lively 3.42 optional. I’d install those, and a dual exhaust, put back the stock wheels and cruise. š ā±ļø
Overpriced.
Per Hagarty, perhaps. However you don’t see cars up for sale like this every day. Say the make model year body style and options really tickle someone’s fancy. What are you going to do, wait around a year or two for another to turn up? This is not like that guy selling the mouse hotel RR for 100K. If you can afford 18k for a showroom condition toy like this, you can afford 34K. The people this would appeal to aren’t getting any younger. Grab it while there is still some summer left.
She’s a Beaut Clark, but not for nothing, when you’re asking the big bucks how about some more photos? Especially the entire exterior.
The seller included 10 photos in the listing, which isnāt too bad. They would no doubt send you many more, if you contacted them.
craigslist gives you 24 for an ad. use it people. nice car but lot of coin for a nova imo. most likely not see another like this with low mile. interesting that factory put red carpet in it. looks good. rumor has it the buick sun coupes had red carpets as well.
My first car was a ’73 Nova Custom, but mine had bucket seats, sport mirrors, and a console shift. Also had the flat black strip on the rear taillight section. I had cragars, chrome ladder bars, and rear end cover, dual exhaust with headers, and of course, air shocks. lol I had serious rust in the hatchback. I am looking for another one, but not at this price. Clean car, however.
WAY overpriced.
Thatās up to the market to decide
True dat.
Nice original car but you really have to want one of these at that price.
Back in 74 I got a call from my grandma. She was at the Ford dealership trying to decide if she should buy the new Mustang II or the 350 Nova over at the Chevy Dealer. I hadnāt seen a Mustang II yet but I figured it was a lot like the 73 model. Boy, was I wrong. When I asked her what motor was in the Mustang I heard the salesman say āfourā I thought i misheard. Grandma put him on the phone and he explained the whole new generation Mustang thing to me. I just couldnāt see paying as much for a little four cylinder econobox as that hot 350 Nova. Grandma took my advice and bought the Nova. It was powerful and comfortable and a great looking car for the time.
Beautiful car & the rear defogger bumps the sticker to $34,000!
Overpriced at $34k, $17k (half off) is closer to the mark. Worth more if it had the bucket seats and console. No word on if it has air conditioning or not. The good news is that hop up parts for the 350 small-block are plentiful and cheap. A four-barrel intake or EFI, with headers and dual-exhausts would really wake it up for not too much money, and some work on the engine internals (stroker crank) can turn this into a 383 fairly easily. BTW, this color looks like “Hugger Orange” to me, but with the lighting in the pictures it’s kind of hard to tell.
My wife had a 73 nova with a 6 and power glide. Manual drums which I changer to power front discs for her. Though the body was badly rusted from driving on the beach at Daytona, it was one of the most dependable and easy to maintain cars I ever encountered. Would have kept it had it not had the rust issues.
Rust and wiring are the two (2) most expensive things to fix on a car, so sometimes they just have to go the that great garage in the sky, LOL! I could say the same thing about my Mom’s ’61 Buick Special. The dreaded “tin worm” ate it away to almost nothing. Sometimes, Kenny Rodgers was right: “You got to know when to hold’em and when to fold’em!” Even so, it hurts just a little when they go away!
I’ve got a 74 hatchback SS that I’ve been working on for several years. All the bells and whistles + 396, factory air etc. Hope it looks as good as this one when I get through.
396 š right on Henry
I had a 1974 Nova hatchback with the 350 and 3 speed stick. Couldn’t pull the hat off your head. Enjoyed the hatch with the canvas surround. The only new car I ever bought and only kept 2 years.
Just think, if the seller got their asking price, it just might set the record for a ’74 Nova.
What do you think a 74 Hatchback SS w/375hp 396, PS/PDB/tilt/cruise, Factory Air, New paint, new interior, all new gauges, console, glass, weatherstrip, front and rear suspension, 72 front end, tuck/lightened rear bumper, 3.73 posi rear, B&M stage 2 Turbo 350 w/ 2800 stall converter, new tires on powder coated factory rallyes would be worth?
What do you think a 74 Hatchback SS w/375hp 396, PS/PDB/tilt/cruise, Factory Air, New paint, new bucket seat interior, all new gauges, console, glass, weatherstrip, front and rear suspension, 72 front end, tuck/lightened rear bumper, 3.73 posi rear, B&M stage 2 Turbo 350 w/ 2800 stall converter, new tires on powder coated factory rallyes would be worth?
Orange carpet is unexpected. Were the orig floormats orange too?