There was a time when you could find and buy nice Chevy Nova SS for not a lot of money, but due to the rising values of Chevelles and the Novas history of offering decent performance for the money, they have gotten more expensive and difficult to find. While you can still find 4-door and non-SS Novas, a quick search of your local craigslist and you will have a tough time finding a real SS. Well, that is unless you live in Southern Connecticut where this 1969 Nova SS is. It’s listed here on craigslist with a $9,500. Special thanks to Camilo C for this tip!
As seems to often be the case with these cars, this one appears to have been used for drag racing at some point. Unfortunately, that means it’s missing its original engine and has had some customizations made to it. The seller believes the engine that is currently in it is a 350 V8. In ’69, the Nova SS was offered with several engine options, with a 4 barrel 350 V8 rated at 300 horsepower as the base engine. It also came standard with front disc brakes (first year for the Nova), bucket seats, performance suspension, and Red Line tires. This car was optioned with the 4-speed and the seller states that it has a 12-bolt rear end under it.
The interior is just as dusty as the outside, which helps with the claim of being in a barn for 30 years. The bucket seats are present and appear to be in good shape, although it’s hard to say for sure given all the dust on them. The shifter appears to be an aftermarket piece and someone added two gauges to the dash. A good cleaning would go a long way to helping find this Nova a new home.
As you can see from the photos, this Nova is going to need a ton of work. There’s some ugly looking rust to deal with and the mechanical systems are in unknown condition. It definitely makes the seller’s $9,500 asking seem a bit high, especially when you think about what one like this would have cost just 5 or 10 years ago. That being said, the seller does state that they are looking for a quick sale and will entertain offers, so perhaps you could get it cheap enough to make it worth all the hard work it’s going to take to make it a nice driver! So, how much would you be willing to offer for this project?
Other than the 1963 or so Nova with a Super bird rear wing stuck on the back I’d see at my high school parking lot, I’ve never seen a deck lid spoiler on a Nova. Kind of looks ok. I learned to drive in one about this year, with stick on the floor too. Always thought they looked their best as a hot rod.
I just bought a 71 SS no engine or trans 4-speed car 2200
$9500 is a lot of money for an unknown condition motor (drag car means it got hammered and maybe parked due to being blown). Not sure of rust conditions…these were famous for 1/4 panel rust. I like the sound of the ’71 SS for $2200 much better. That leaves $7000 for a drivetrain you feel good about right off the starting line.
There is no way this car is worth $9,500. It’s not as rust free as the seller claims. He offers no proof the car is actually an SS, which can’t be proven unless it still has the original drivetrain or some form of factory documentation such as a Protecto-Plate or build sheet is present.
Steve R
True, plus the dash pad has a plain Nova badge. Looks like original color may have been lime green, as may be seen below the cowl I’d plate.
Here is a picture of my Lime Green ’71 SS I bought in the summer of ’76 for $1400, was a basic SS 350 4 spd w/radio, heater, PS, Black Bench seat interior, rubber floor mat. I drove it like there was no tomorrow then sold it a year later for $1450, my how times have changed!
That car pictured is very questionable, too many if’s, would need some good documentation on this before I put out any green.
the cowl looks rusted clean through. all 69 camaro/ nova /and chevelle SS has disc brakes and 12 bolt rears as part of the SS option package, the rust was extra and makes the asking price a joke.
the rear spoiler is a 67-69 camaro spoiler, also note the cowl hood? where did the original SS hood go?
Too bad no engine Bay picture. Would be interesting to see where the heater hoses enter/exist the firewall as that could be a telltale sign of it was ever a big block car.
Salt air saturation, the rot is deep and persistent. The title and tags are worth asking except original engine missing. $5000 is all I would hand over. Car is worth saving, $20000 needs to be spent to make it worth $30,000.
Another flipper knows nothing about car history. Just a overpriced nova bad pictures and all.
Probably have a grand for it
Looks like someone without a clue watching TV auctions thinks he going to make some easy cash flipping junk. Not so easy.
FYI, the Nova SS did NOT come “standard” with bucket seats, they were an option
This one would be great for a DEATHPROOF sequel !!!
I’m about where Steve A is. About $1000.00. One is North of $6000.00 just eyeballing the car for resurrection.
That’s way off, even as a parts car you are at $2,000+ within 30 seconds of calculation prices. It’s nowhere near a $9,500 car and there is a good chance it’s not a viable restoration candidate, but it’s definitely not a $1,000 car.
Steve R
Firewall is toast. Inner rear wheel weals. Most likely lower windshield frame tinworms…..
This is a rust buck 6 banger. Doubt its an SS
The seller doesn’t want you guys bothering him with ridiculous offers.
So I guess I won’t offer him $250.00
I purchased my 70 SS in 77 for 1500 bucks with the original 350 rebuilt that was during the time when gas hogs were pennies on the dollar I’m a Nova lover and want another but this one is severely overpriced it has no redeeming value save for the SS badges it will be 8 times the sale price to get it where my 1500 dollar car was!!
Wing gives it a different, more aggressive appearance, along with the black color. May have been a terror at one time but that thing looks to have been out of commission for a while.
Yeah, put this Nova along with that ’70 Chevelle with the fat tires from a few days ago and it’s school dazed all over again. At these prices those days are long gone for cars like this.
My first wife had one of these when I married her in ’70. Was a nice car but not really my cup of tea. I was more into European sports cars (and still am).
350 fender badges, and had vinyl top. Not sure if that was a SS option??
Trash n bash as usual lol! too bad no one knows real condition of car , and if anyone looks at it i hope they post its real identity. Im goin to bet its a real ss that was put to good use on the strip and when he got cought up in life the car was put on back burner and put away till now . Ill bet if engine is all there ,check the oil and toss in a battery some fresh gas and fire it up ! To those of you that are afraid of doing this it works well as ive been doin this for 40 years ! The hood on it is more functional then ss hood ever was and looks like aftermarket spoiler on rear . (Put a few on back in the day) If the car is washed ,interior cleaned and runs then its not out of range for novas. Id get it running and drive it for fun !
Hi everyone, I live in Northern Ct and purchased the Nova shown here two weeks ago, I can confirm that aside from the rust shown on the r/h rear wheel opening caused by a leak in the roof where it was stored the car is basically rust free. The cowl, firewall, floors, quarters, doors, fenders and roof are all original and in amazing condition. It shows 44,000 ish miles and has not seen the road since 1979. Even the almost 50 year old upholstery is beautiful and can be retained as is (besides the original musty carpet). I found the broadcast sheet in the upper back seat and can verify it is a customer ordered, legit SS, L48, 4 speed, dual exhaust, console, bucket seat, vinyl top with deluxe interior car. It was originally Fathom green. Now that a thorough cleaning is complete I am working on decoding the 350, M22 (probably from a Chevelle) and the 12 bolt. The story was it was an old drag car hence the huge hole in the hood, slapper bars and old Sun gauges. It was in storage for 35 years with a 72 SS Chevelle, 65 Corvette (all painted black) some old trucks and a huge stash of old speed parts.
Good to know, hope it works out for you.
would you be willing to sell it for 4,000? thats my maximum that i can give. in cash too.i live in North Carolina and am willing to drive there.