The fourth generation of the Chevy Nova would be its last as a rear-wheel drive compact. It began in 1962 as Chevrolet’s second entrant in that space (the first was the less conventional Corvair). Over the course of its original 18-year-run, nearly 4.7 million of the cars were built. This 1977 Nova looks nearly perfect and has under 20,000 miles on the odometer. It was owned by the seller’s elderly parents who had driven it infrequently. Located in Muskegon, Michigan, this Chevy is available here on craigislist for $7,000 OBO. A tip of the fedora to Ian C for bringing this auto to light for us!
While the era of the Nova was waning by 1977, it was by no means not a popular car. More than 365,000 of the smaller Chevies were sold that year, its 4th best year. In fact, sales were up about 10 percent over the prior year. More than 141,000 of these cars were the basic 4-door sedan, as represented by the seller’s car. The 250 cubic inch I-6 engine was the most popular choice that year, finding its way into more than 55 percent of the Nova’s built that year. After being discontinued in 1979 in favor of the less successful front-wheel drive Citation, the Nova would be reborn in 1985 as a rebadged subcompact car that Chevy would build in partnership with Toyota.
This ’77 Nova has had a soft life, spending much of it inside a garage owned by the father of the seller or the seller himself. We’re told it may have been taken out in inclement weather on just a handful of occasions. His father brought it home new from the Ravenna, Michigan dealership in the Summer of 1977. The parents used it sparingly until 2009 when the father passed on and the son (aka seller) brought it home. But 12 years later, it mostly just sits in the garage and is time for it to move on with 19,542 miles on the clock.
It’s a rather basic Nova with the entry-level six-banger. Dad ordered automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and an AM radio. Not factory A/C. There are no known mechanical issues other than anything you might find for lack of use. The tires are said to be in great condition, with maybe 10,000 miles to show. But that could easily make them 10-15 years old and getting harder every day. The battery is said to be good and the oil was changed just a few months ago.
There doesn’t appear to be any rust on the car or issues with the sheet metal. The paint looks nice and shiny and we assume it’s what the car left the factory with. The interior has no visible issues, probably because his parent’s put a blanket over the front seat any time they used it. They were non-smokers and may never have even eaten in the car.
This car might not be a standout at Cars & Coffee, but it would likely to be a reliable daily driver, once all the consumables are checked out. NADA says that top dollar for this generation of the Nova is under $12,000 and probably less because this car doesn’t have a V8 or cold air coming out of the dashboard. But it’s a car that been well-treated and deserves some of the same respect going forward.
Very plain, low performance, no a/c, too many doors…. one can go on and on why this car isn’t desirable. But for me, it’s always fun to see the common cars of their day. Here’s a one-family Nova which has led a very easy life. Russ’s last sentence sums it up for me. One could have some simple fun with it.
Actually, being on the plain Jane side, is what makes this a standout. While being a 4 door, no a/c, and a 6 banger, makes it a I’ll pass for you, many would snap it up for those very reasons. Plus, to find one of this vintage, this clean, is just about unheard of. I thought it probably had the powerglide, but it has the 3 spd auto. I think performance might just surprise you a little. Just have to remember. Most cars in this era were lacking. Also have to remember what things were in this era and not compare it to todays standard.
These were great “transportation cars” – they get you where you
want to go,& nobody will steal it,or break into it to steal the radio.
My sister had a ’70 Nova,with a 6 cylinder (automatic).I borrowed
it once.It was one of those cars that you really don’t get excited over to
drive,but you know you’ll get there!
I think that this Nova transcends the malaise that befell GM products starting in 1971. And that’s only because it’s built off the same platform as it’s predecessors from ’69 and maybe earlier. Once the Nova was gone, GM stuff was crap for a long time.
Hi Rex,
I also witnessed that malaise that befell GM products. But I do remember the upgraded great (companion) “Concours.” They dressed up the coup version of this car. It really was beautiful, however not marketed (at all). Still, that malaise / complacency was there. I can recall when Hyundai first had their 3,000 dollar “Excel.” I saw a lady who bought one and she said for 3,000…. I knew the competition was heating up even then. GM left its legacy in the dust, and I just got a new Chevrolet. Sentimental I guess.
that would be a fun car to buff out and shine up to take on weekend car shows so people can see what cars where like yrs ago. i had a 76 blue one.
I bought a white 1976 Nova in 2004. $600. Sight unseen off EBay. Drove 3 hrs to get it. Drove it home 3 hrs. Never a problem. Just put gas in it and some fix a flat in a tire with a slow leak. When I got tired of it I listed it on EBay for $1195. Guy three states away hit buy it now and hopped on the greyhound bus. Drove it home with one stop needing a fan belt.
Novas were reliable.
The latest three-on-the-tree vehicle I ever rode in, or knew of, was my buddy’s college ride: a c. ’77 – ’79 Nova sedan – This same color, plaid seats. As the 80 MPH limit on the speedometer attests, a simple car for simpler times.
At least you knew what you were getting with this Nova. Solid, comfortable, reliable, economical, and easy to work on. Better than the X bodies they designed to replace it.
That’s a pretty low bar LOL! But these were everywhere back in the day. I remember the elderly couple down the street from me had a light blue 1967 Biscayne and traded it in on one of these in ’77 – same light blue color that the Biscayne was. I’m sure it was equipped almost the exact same as this one is.
A friend’s mom bought a new one the same year. Also a 4 door. Then another friend parents bought a ’78 Phoenix 2 door.
They weren’t sexy but everybody had one. Personally I would have fun with this and try to create a 9C1 out of it.
Actually, GM DID make a police vehicle out of the Nova. I just checked, and from 1975-1979 they built the 9C1 with a 350. I remember, they handled very well, ran like a scalded dog, and proved to be very capable. I don’t think I would mess with trying to make a 9C1 out of this one. It is just to clean. The simplicity should be kept that way so younger generations can be stumped on repairs because it doesn’t have electronics and a computer hookup to diagnose a problem for them.
I love novas. My first car was a 1976 6 cylinder and I wished I never got rid of it . In 1997 bought a 1975 restored it and had it ever since .
Totally boring “going forward”.
A rarity indeed – all of the others now being crushed and recycled many time over.
It reminds me of a time when you walked onto a new car dealership lot and it was full of ones just like this.
If this was built in the mid-wet, then it hasn’t travelled anywhere (yet) in its long life.
I hope it goes to someone who won’t make a clone SS out of it.
A “clone SS”?
Chevy was able to pull off a 4-door SS with the 94-96 Impala. Don’t see that happening for a 4-door Nova.
True.
Clone probably not the best choice of words. But I think striping it and throwing in a big engine would be the wrong way to go.
Enjoy it for what it is.
A refreshing change. I realize that if all Barn Finds featured was cars like this it would be boring as heck but once in awhile it’s nice to see a very clean basic car. C3 Corvettes are probably my favorite in the Corvettes and I love the Buick GN but sometimes the market is far to flooded with them. To the point if seeing them and thinking…Oh look, another one. This Nova is not a stand out performance vehicle but it does stand out in the fact that it is just a clean version of what used to be a dirt common vehicle. So basically I love it!
I’m not sure what I missing here about this Nova. With under 20,000 miles on it look at the engine it looks like a car that’s been driven a hundred and twenty thousand miles. With the engine part being a Rusty and filthy I wonder what the underneath looks like. I don’t get it if you never took it out in rain or snow how is it so filthy
I bought one of these late 70s Novas as a lightly used car because I wanted a ” compact ” sized car and a car that was dead reliable. Mine was that metallic red that GM called Firethorn though the interior was somewhat like this and it had factory air. Yes, it was reliable, but that flat as a board bench seat wasn’t very comfortable and after a few months in the Bay Area of San Francisco I decided it was time for a true small car and I traded the Nova for a Fiesta.
For nearly 7 grand this would be a car that I could see myself in, though being in Florida I would have to add on A/C. By why bother? My 09 Crown Victoria has been a good car, and my experience with my Nova tells me it doesn’t get better gas mileage, so why buy a smaller, less powerful car?
This is the car I think of when I hear “Chevy Nova”. Four doors, six cylinders, bench seats in the ribbed vinyl seen here or plaid cloth, these wheelcovers and invariably white-stripe tires. Just like this one. My aunt had one in bright yellow with black vinyl (TAXI!) and my kindergarten teacher had a light metallic blue one with light blue plaid as pictured in the ’78 brochure.
This is almost IDENTICAL to the car in which I took Driver’s Ed, color and options and all. With a teacher and 4 students, the inline 6 struggled to keep up. A 1977 Impala with the 305-V8 would have been a much better car :).
I had a 1972 nova , 307 ,with 3 on the tree , wish I still had it
six cyl, automatic, no a/c??? Not for $7,000.00. Not out of this guy’s wallet. Maybe $5k, but, that’s tops.
Boring but bulletproof. I’ll take that every day of the week and twice on Sundays.