For many years, this 1968 Chevy II Nova’s owner utilized his position as a new car salesman to buy interesting vehicles that their owners traded at his dealership. He aimed to treat these cars to some restoration work as a hobby, which he did with some success. However, the occasional vehicle slipped past his attention, and the planned work never eventuated. That is the case with our feature vehicle, so advancing age means that he has decided the Nova needs to head to a new home. It is located in Orange, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding hasn’t reached the reserve, but it currently sits at $3,250 off the back of some respectable bidding action.
The owner believes that this Tripoli Turquoise Nova has spent its life in California, which would help explain some of its physical characteristics. The paint has become pretty baked and tired, and the buyer will undoubtedly treat the car to a repaint as part of the restoration process. There are a few minor dings and dents, plus a couple of fair whoppers. These are both on the passenger side and impact the door and rear quarter panel. Both appear repairable, although I wouldn’t be surprised if the buyer splashes out on new panels to help minimize the involvement of Bondo in this project. Rust is not a big issue, with only two identified spots that will require attention. One spot is about 4″ long and is located in the rear drip rail on the driver’s side. The other is a repairable spot in the trunk pan that could be tackled with a simple patch. Otherwise, the floors and frame are said to be rock-solid. The glass looks in good condition, and most of the trim is acceptable for a driver-quality restoration.
The indications are that this Nova started life equipped with a 307ci V8 and a manual transmission. This would’ve given the driver access to 200hp under their right foot and the ability to cover the ¼ mile in around 16.7 seconds. However, the original motor is long gone, and the owner says that the codes on the engine block show that this is a 327ci unit of 1969 vintage. Completing the package are a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. He says that the car has been sitting for years, but he recently worked through the process of awakening it from its slumber. This involved him cleaning the carburetor, installing new tires and an alternator, and adding fresh fuel to the tank. The 327 roared back into life, and the Nova now runs and drives. It still needs some work to reach a roadworthy state, but it seems that the buyer will be commencing their work from a sound base.
It seems that the owner and I don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye when it comes to the question of this car’s interior condition. He mentions the headliner, the driver’s door trim, and one seatcover as requiring repair or replacement. If the buyer is seeking a higher level of presentation, they might want to add the other door trim, the carpet, and a dash pad to that list. That all adds up to a cost of around $1,400, but it would return the dash and upholstered surfaces to as-new condition. Other items that will require attention include the wheel, while the buyer might choose to ditch the column-mounted tachometer. The original owner ordered this Chevy II with air conditioning, but it appears that the engine bay components are missing. Reinstating the system would be a wise move if the buyer lives in a warmer location.
For a buyer considering trying their hand at a spot of DIY work, this 1968 Nova could be a strong candidate. It seems to be a structurally sound vehicle, and its drivetrain combination holds the promise of an entertaining driving experience. Getting it back on the road may not be difficult, but the option is also available to create a potent SS 396 clone. That is an option that I would find tempting, but do you think that I’m right or wrong on that front? I will be interested to see what path you would choose if you found this classic hiding in your garage.
Instead of an SS396 clone a hot 327 small block Nova with vintage wheels, speed parts, even a few stickers would be more representative of what a lot of kids drove around in at one time or another….a tribute without really being faked or cloned….if that makes any sense at all. Like the color it was(is) along with the black interior.
The buyer can do whatever they want with it, but I’m frowning a bit on the clone 396 stuff these days. They weren’t all fast originally.
It is relatively easy to make 350 – 400 horsepower with a 327, and that would be the way to go to make this daily driver a sleeper. Good aftermarket cylinder heads with a medium cam, decent intake-carb-header combination and it still appears “stock”. I’d leave the paint “scruffy” as a nod to the survivor vibe, and go out and show the kids how it’s done.
Have fun
I agree with Troy and Rufus. I think that there are more 396 Nova’s out there then they made at this point. Yes, they are fast and cool. Same with small blocks , you see so many 383 crate motors, etc… The 327 was a fantastic engine, for many of us the best small block ever. Why not rebuild it all, as stated, getting 300 h.p. out of a 327 is very easy.. so freshen it up and put some 327 badges on it. Be a very cool car and not like every other one.
Had a 68 Chevy 2 nova in 69. The color on it was Arid Green. Came from the factory with a 3 speed in the floor and a 307. Put a set of Mondello heads with 2.02 intakes and 1.75 exhaust valves, a crane 3/4 hydraulic cam and a 1050 cfm thermoquad. There was not a 396 or 427 that could touch it in an 1/8 miles. Course for the last half of the quarter mile they had me, but since I only bet on 1/8 mile runs I won a lot of $50 bets.
No kidding! What is with all the SS drones out there! I believe in putting cars back the way they came! One thing they should add is the 10 or twelve speakers in there to look authentic of the time! Me and my brother did this to get that great tin sound of the 70s, in the 70s!
Got to disagree with Troy, the big dog 375 HP solid lifter motor was bad to the bone. Third gear and it would go sideways, traction was a problem with those belted tires. Friend had one and I drove it. Almost bought the car but insurance, gas and tires I realized I couldn’t afford it. Probably wouldn’t be here if I did. Was 1970 car was only couple months old. Crazy time for muscle cars.
Disagreeing keeps it interesting. I nearly got killed in a 350 powered Nova years ago, as a passenger. Brakes! Brakes!
Droppping an L78 396 in this car, or a 427/454, creates the ultimate freak show yes, but I would leave the 307 call outs and not add any SS stripes or badges or anything else that made it a clone. Just a solid street machine, nothing more. Gotta go.
I agree. I own a 69 Nova with the L78 running fuel injection & the performance is awesome. I’ve been a Nova fan forever, had a L-79 powered 68 Chevy II back in the late 70’s that dispatched plenty of big blocks. Never a L-78 though. That motor could wind up
tight & in a hurry.
There’s nothing like the torque of a BB though.
I would go with your big-block idea, but I would take it all the way: 502 crate engine!
That black horizontal trim beneath the rocker panels was installed to mimic the look of a full frame car. I believe it was a one year (68) feature.
Do we have an overheating problem, I live near salt water or flood damage? I swear I need to go to junk yards take pictures and advertise cars for sale.
I’d like to buy this car, but bidding will ultimately put it out of my range. I wouldn’t change a single thing on the drivetrain. Repair dents, paint and enjoy. A 327 with 4 gear manual in this body style is just right in my view.
God bless America
BBC GEN 3 Nova!! 4 sp. Amazing way to go…….I know!!
i used to own a 72 nova, and i took it from a plain jane type car to a muscle type looking car, even thou it was just a 6 cylinder motor under the hood, but yet, when i ran against a,350 v8, people didn’t believe me when i beat the guy driving with 350 v8, and i only had 250 6 cylinder motor under the hood of my 72 nova !! god as my witness, that’s the truth, so help me god !!
I thinks that’s a great idea Johnloghry, Nova’s are nice cars that are easy to work on .
Being more of a “screaming small block” kind of guy, I’d follow the Yenko Deuce recipe here, without any of the Yenko markings. Finish it in the original hue with body-color 15x8s and dog-dish hubcaps w/blackwalls, keeping the exhaust quiet as possible.
Stunning would-be hotshots with what appears to be Grandma’s hand-me-down is hilarious fun, as opposed to “experts” pointing out your yet-another-clone.
Turning a car into a clone ruins the value of the car and ruins the original car that it is supposed to be and is a disgrace to the car that they are cloning.
Well, I owned a 1970 Yenko Duce for about 10 years and still own a 1968 Nova now with a ZZ 350 engine and 5 speed tranny, so have a few comments on what goes and does not go. The 1968 327/275 hp engine unit could not match the 4.11 Yenko, the current ZZ 350 3.72 is a good match.