In 1970, Chevy’s popular compact, the Nova, was in its ninth year of production. The first eight years would result in 1.7 million cars and ’70 would add another 300,000 copies to the tally. The seller’s Nova left the factory with an inline-6 and “3-on-the-tree” but now has a later model 350 V8 with the shifting moved to the floor. Not likely an SS clone in the making, just a faster Nova. Located in Gilbert, Arizona, this Chevy is available here on eBay where the bidding holds steady at $5,750.
The Nova’s sales performance in ’70 was noteworthy not only because it was more than 50,000 units higher than the year before, but it had a full year of the Ford Maverick and the new Plymouth Duster, both fastback-style cars, to compete against. We’re told the seller’s car has little rust for being a Southwest desert car. The trunk pan and frame rails are solid, but the front floors will need some work as the glued-on rubber mats these Chevies came with retained moisture. It’s hard to tell what this Nova’s original color was because of all the primer and the cowl tag is hard to read, but it looks as though it might have been Misty Turquoise.
The interior is a mish-mash of things not original to the car, from the bucket seats to the steering wheel. The back seat has an aftermarket cover over it, so you might as well start over with black material everywhere. The dash pad is cracked but the dash looks odd to a former ‘70s Nova owner like me. There is an air vent on the left side of the dash which should only be there if the car had factory A/C. But there are no cold air vents in the center of the dash pad which would have also served that purpose.
Under the hood is a 1976-era 350 cubic-inch V8. The seller says the car runs and drives but does not elaborate on how well these functions are performed. The 350 emblems on the front fenders have been added after the fact. The title is currently MIA but the seller says he has applied for one and should receive it before the gavel falls on the auction. If not, he will guarantee the buyer will get one. A non-SS Nova like this in Fair Condition has an estimated value of $10,000, according to Hagerty. But you’re going to have to add considerably to that to end up with a show-worthy example.
A mush mash is an understatement on this heap. I really like these Novas. Bought one new in 69. But I’ll pass on this one.
If the trim tag on the firewall is the correct one for this car, it left the factory the 3rd week of July in 1970 with a V8. It was painted Misty Turquoise top and bottom and had the standard black bench seat interior.
A lot of parts can be changed over 51 years but, if the insturment panel is original it indicates it was an automatic.
I spent a lot of time Hot Rodding a 70 that a high school buddy had in the early seventies. We had a lot of fun with that car.
iwill buy it