“Restoration started.” We all know what that means. It sounds better than “restoration stalled.” Who knows what happens when someone starts on a project with huge enthusiasm and then loses interest halfway through? This desirable 1963 Chevrolet Nova coupe, here on Craigslist in Long Island, New York, has new floors and quarter panels, a Speedway Motors disc brake kit, Steele Products weatherstrip and window gaskets, and a new gas tank with sending unit (shown in the photos).
The Nova’s body looks straight, and it’s in primer, with $5,700 being asked. The chrome is half stripped off, and what’s left doesn’t appear to have been touched. The hood (detached) has had some work done. The engine (is there an engine?—not in the photos. The ad says the car is an eight-cylinder automatic with just 55,000 miles. The interior is stripped out, and also not in the photos. The head- and taillights are in the trunk.
A guess is that rebuilding the engine or reupholstering was a bridge too far for the seller. This might be a good project for someone who has a 350 V-8 on an engine stand and access to a low-mileage parts car. The rear end is in place. It would be a hassle if the interior somehow went AWOL, but these aren’t rare cars and the aftermarket would service this model.
I had two relatives of this car, a 1962 Chevy II Nova convertible in fire engine red, and a blue 1966 Nova coupe bought with four flat tires for the princely sum of $50. The ’62 I drove all through high school (the captain of the soccer team also had one), and the ’66 only briefly. Both were six-cylinder with 120 horsepower, and hardly fireballs.
This ’63 is the second year of the Nova, and it was barely changed from the previous year. The Chevy II was rushed out to compete with Ford’s successful compact Falcon, which debuted in 1960 (the year my dad bought one). The whole development program took just 18 months, with the first car rolling off the assembly line in August of 1961.
The Nova used all existing parts, and the company described it as offering “maximum functionalism with thrift.” Not too exciting, but in 1963 the SS trim was available, and both years had convertibles. My Nova 400 convertible was the sports model, and cost $2,475. My uncle was the initial purchaser, while he was in graduate school at Yale I think. In ’62, 23,741 convertibles were produced.
The Nova two-door hardtop “Sport Coupe,” like the car on offer, was available from 1962 to 1965 (though briefly out of the catalog in ’64). The SS option cost $161.40, and delivered special emblems, an instrument package, special wheel covers with SS lettering, bucket seats and a floor shifter. The buyer could end up all right here. Hagerty puts a six-cylinder ’63 Chevy II Nova 400 convertible at $37,800, though the hardtop is not worth as much. Still, they were nice cars.
……sigh……😕
FYI….the Chevy 2 V8 requires a front sump oil pan and also the pump, the pickup, and even the pump drive rod. I suppose all that stuff is still available. Didn’t know all that when Dad & I put a 283 (and later a 327) in my ’62 Chevy 2 back in ’66. Also found out the hard way that a GM Chevy 2 V8 engine had a casting mount near the bell housing for the clutch bell crank that other V8s did not have. Once all that became obvious Dad first made a dropped tie rod to clear the pan, but it was a bit low, so he notched the oil pan to allow the tie rod to clear. Dear old Dad, been gone for 50 years. :-( Terry J
You are correct Terry J. My friend in NJ had a 1963 Nova 2 door back in the early 1990’s and it had a 350 with that set up in it. Front sump oil pan and 350 trans.
Good news is it has 5 lug wheels already and not the light duty 4 lugs.
To 356ASuper, Yup big advantage. I had 4 lugs in my red ’62 though I ordered 14″ wheels for it from JC Whitney. That said it was a great little street machine with the 283, but when I replaced that with a hot 327 things changed. I broke 3 speed trannys and 10 bolt rear ends like they were glass (3 of each I think). It was scary fast but a few runs on the street or down the local 1/4 mile (county road past Scot’s barn) I’d have to have the front end aligned (again). If I had to do it over again I would probably put in a Power Glide (1966 remember). It would have stayed together better. After I moved on from it my brother Dale had it and converted it to a straight axle ala gasser style. That worked fine for awhile but he was wilder than I was and eventually rolled it (on the Scot’s barn road). Family history. :-) Terry J
It may be set up for a V8, but that’s not the way it was built. A V8 Chevy II didn’t arrive until 1964.
I had a ’63 with a 327 that I put together. Had the Duntov 30-30 fuel injection cam with a Q-jet carb. Installed the front sump oil pump & pan so had no trouble dropping it in place. Put in a heavy duty full synchro 3 speed & ’68 Camaro 10 bolt posi rear end that I picked up cheap. The Camaro rear bolted right in. Bucket seats came out of a dunked Corvair, which were very comfortable. Ordered a large diameter single exhaust from the Sears catalog, delivered right to the house. You are correct, Terry J, the front end got twisted out of shape and had to be aligned regularly. But that car would really smoke the tires & move out! Surprised a lot of people with my single exhaust the 6 cylinder badges still on the front fenders. You don’t see many Chevy ll with a V8 conversion that has the correct oil pan. That is the first thing I look for at the car shows.
looks like a great project price is right
Aren’t you supposed to describe and discuss this car instead of your iwn cars? More info regarding the car for sale and less info about cars previously owned.
If you pay attention Jim, folks stories about their own experiences can provide a lot of information to a prospective buyer contemplating a similar project. Take out a tablet and write down all the things you have learned about a Nova project. It might surprise you. Terry J