Brown muscle cars fit the philosophy that cars should always be faster than they look. Blackout the “SS” badges on this 1969 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport in Frisco, Texas, rub some dust into those shiny tires, and most people will see an octogenarian’s barely-driven beater. However, this time capsule Nova recently left the carport where it sat for 40 years, and hits the market having received a comprehensive mechanical refurbishment. The rest of the car has simply been buffed, shined, and made to look its nearly-all-original best. Lively bidding here on eBay proves the sporty small-block Nova maintains a strong following.
The artsy low-sun-angle photos look great… for a magazine, but a set showing the whole car well-lit would help potential buyers. The seller includes a host of valuable details in a single lengthy paragraph. The mostly-original paint buffed out to a nice shine. A future owner may complete the restoration, but that would reduce the car’s sex-appeal and erase the story this “Day Two” Chevy tells today. Compliment the seller for leaving that decision open.
The 300 HP 350 cid (5.7L) V8 came standard with the Super Sport package. Though the optional 396 (6.5L) holds top bragging rights, don’t underestimate the potency of the four-speed / 350 combination.
The interior mostly dodged replacement. A new headliner and package tray replace the tired originals. Otherwise, it’s about what you’d expect from a ’69 Nova in, say, 1980. Hop behind the wheel, crank the windows down, twist the key, and you’re back in high school, or maybe you can imagine what your parents or grandparents experienced in high school: a time when life was simpler, and “just driving around” was more fun than anything in the Internet-age. Who needs virtual reality or augmented reality when your actual reality is genuine and amazing? Where would you cruise this honest ’69?
It’s a cool car, but rougher than the seller suggests.
I’d bet the cars spent time parked outside due to the paint fade, condition of the interior and locations of the rust. The rust on the dash is generally a result of a leaking windshield, there is often substantially more damage than is visible at first glance.
Though the car checks many boxes, for the current price, $19,000+ without the reserve being met, I’d hold off for one without as many issues. Even though it would cost more in the short term it will be cheaper over the long haul.
Steve R
20K?? Holy moly. If it was a 396 I’d get it. But the 300 HP 350 was the standard Nova SS mill and available on a lot of passenger cars that year. Stock this was an 8/16 car.
Agree. Cars-on-line.com. First 69 Nova SS I pulled up: 396 L78 375 HP numbers matching M21 4 speed, Blue, done….take it to the car show right now….beautiful car, asking $47,995. Can’t restore or even just do body, paint and interior on this one for 28K,..(plus the 20K buy in)..it’s still a small block SS (which if fine but its not a 375HP 396 M21 car which is a monster) Then…..you still have $$ left to spend restoring the undercarriage, chrome, trim, gaskets, grommets, emblems, handles, engine compartment….Just saying. Lot of bubbling, rust and rot (which these were known for) in 8 years in CA. ??
Car Seller is “Prosper Super Cars”, sorry name sounds way to greedy for me. By the way, apparently minor issue…”Split Seams” (and the top corners of the seats that are splitting – and I really having taken a stronger longer look, that was just first glance) IS the DEFINATION of “falling apart”. Split Seams Still requires a complete seat overhaul.
As much as Barrett Jackson sells a lot of amazing cars for very high prices, many of them which deserve it, day one, two and three are still hammering cars WAY below what it would cost to take a car like this Nova and restore it. 70 cougar Eliminator 390 sold for 26K and it was REALLY nice. Awesome 50’s style pro street pick up sold for like 40K, probably about 1/3 of the build cost. Day one cars, really nice ones, were selling for $20K all day long. Just Sayin.
What’s the old saying “A fool and his money are soon parted!” I’m done.
Most of the people that throw around “Barrett Jackson” to signify outrageously high prices aren’t paying attention to the majority of cars that cross the blocks. It’s a term that’s overused and lazy. There are always good deals available at auctions and in the real world for those willing to put in the work to find them, people just need to adjust their sights to the reality of the market.
Steve R
Well said Steve. I do believe so many people, like many of these e-bay sale cars, see the B-J / Mecum prices and try to equalize on year make & model of a car sold there to equalize what they have and don’t add in your comment of “paying attention” to the significant differences. The deal comes when, at a no reserve auction, that car is going to sell and if you only have 1 and a half people interested in a car, the “1” is going to get it at a great deal. Then they can patiently wait to find the person who was NOT at the auction who really wants the car. If you have the money you can pay 20-50 cents on the dollar of what it cost to build that car crossing the block. Just got to have an understanding of quality, what will resell and a big pile of CASH to work with!
Don’t get me wrong, I love this Nova for sale here but to pay $20K + and need to put another what 60-80K into it to make it awesome is only going to be worth MAYBE half of what you have to invest into it IN TODAYS market.
It is the guy who owns this car today. Puts his time and talent and money into it. Maybe makes it amazing for $50K. It won’t bring more than that in amazing condition going through an auction. Now I have seen crap sell at auction for TWICE what it was worth. Again, a fool and his money.
A bunch of my buddies and I went to Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale for several years. The cars sold early in the week usually went through and sold for a fraction of what the builder had in them. I saw many nice ones sell for what the body work and paint probably cost. The insane prices usually came during the prime TV time, especially Saturday night. If you had a few bucks and wanted a really nice driver, lots of bargains on Tuesday- Thursday. But, you have to pay a stiff buyer’s fee, as the seller has to pay a stiff seller’s fee. Barrett Jackson comes out ahead all the way through.
My buddy who’s family owned the beautiful house (with pool) in a gated community sold it 2 years ago and we lost our winter retreat, but it’d be hard to replace the comaraderie
We had for 10 + years.
Why would you pay $20k for this ratty Nova when, for the same money, you could buy the green 1971 Nova with the 383 Stroker posted here a few days ago? This ’69 needs a lot of work and it won’t be cheap to restore. The poop brown color wouldn’t work for me, either. To restore this car you’ll probably have more into it than it will be worth.
8 years on the road? Hard 8 years
Eight years sitting on the side of the road, more likely.
He says there is paper work.
Any comments about whether its a real SS ?
The protect-o-plate will prove or disprove the claim. Its probably real, sellers that are lying use open ended language, this one didn’t. However, I do think he selected pictures which diminish the cars flaws.
Steve R
I’d take the 64 Fairlane below it for $13k before I’d take this for $20k
Vroooooom baby ..,
I know its a lil rough but this is what I remember and like of 60s muscle cars….
The four Speed 📦 that ran snd took a beating often.
1969 was a good year for automotive US cars.
69 rally z28s, novas, vettes, impalas special orders…
Rear wheel wells look a little funny
The seller mentions that, they were likely rolled in the day with a baseball bat for wider tires to fit. But overall, I kind of like the rough look, but not for a $20k rough look…
I wish all sellers would take the time to take pics like that pics like, they make me want to bid more than it half was covered by a tarp with flat tires and crap stacked on it, those pics make it look good
The Nova is a great mid range car$$$ they are easy to work on fun to drive .
Some battle scars? A lot of battle scars? Sure. Buy another matching numbers 350/300 horse Nova and get it just to this condition for this price. Sure, from old granny (no offense Granny) who doesn’t know what she has. This is a good deal for a small block car that will run with and probably beat a stock 396/350 horse car half the time. If I had the expendable cash, I would buy this in a ”heartbeat”. I rode in them all when they were new, so I know a little. Very neat car for a reasonable price.
The rear wheel-wells were poorly “repaired” and the trunk lid looks like it’s had clear-coat failure. Clear-coat wasn’t used when this Nova was built, so, I’m betting more than a couple of touch ups. Curious to see the money it brings.
Bidding stalled at 19,900.
No one said much about if its a real SS.
Reserve not reached.
The seller is making a mistake, I would have taken that last bid
The seller has the protect-o-plate, that will prove or disprove if the car is an SS. They should have included it or the engine stampings in a picture, even though they do not always photograph well. But the simple act of bringing up that he is in possession of the protect-o-plate and specifically talks about “matching numbers” rather than “correct” or uses some other open ended language indicates he is probably telling the truth about the car being a true SS.
Steve R
I love the Nova’s but one this rough is a max $10k car and I think I’m being generous!! The worst thing that’s ever happened is that car auctions have been put on TV!!