1979 marked the end of the line for the fifth-generation Chevrolet Nova, and it was also the final year that the Nova was produced as a rear-wheel-drive automobile. Even though it was the last year for its generation, Chevy made a few cosmetic modifications from the previous year’s model, including replacing the round headlights with square units and updating the grille, plus a few additional pieces of chrome trim were also added. If you’re in the market for an affordable Nova that is said to be a survivor, this 1979 Chevrolet Nova may be a good car for you to consider. It is located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $2,900 and about 8 days left as of the time of this writing.
The more I look at this Nova, the more I keep going back and forth wondering if this is actually a 35,000-mile car. The ad states mileage as 35,393, and there is a clear photo of the odometer showing the same number. If you do the math, that’s about 863 miles a year, and although the car doesn’t look too bad to be 41 years old the body does show quite a few battle scars to have only traveled said miles. I guess anything can happen at any time to car, but the dings are spaced out enough that they look like they may have happened over a prolonged period of driving.
However, the interior kind of makes me second guess myself. While far from perfect, I wouldn’t expect the seats to look as good as they do if the odometer had flipped over. The carpet doesn’t look great, but Hazlewood, PA is not far from Pittsburgh and those winters are hard on a car, both inside and out. The dashboard and door panels are in nice shape, but what happened to that steering wheel is anybody’s guess. Also, while there is some minor surface rust visible underneath the car, I believe it would probably have a lot more if it had traveled an additional 100k miles, considering where the car is located.
The only thing that the seller says about the engine is that it is a 250, which equates to a 4.1-liter straight-six. This Nova is part of the estate of a deceased mechanic, with the only thing being said about the car from his son (who is also a mechanic) is that, “it runs!!!”. How well it runs or how long it’s been since it ran is not stated.
Even though we are not told a lot about the car, at least the seller has posted quite a few pictures, so it’s pretty easy to get an idea of what you are getting here. It is a no-reserve auction, so the high bid takes the car home. It also comes with a clean Pennsylvania title. What are your thoughts on this 1979 Chevrolet Nova? Any speculation about where we could see the bidding ending up?
I would definitely take some Benadryl before getting in that cockpit. Wow!
I bought a new car 3 years ago. Within a week of owning it, it was hit twice. No major damage, just a ding here, a scrape there. Now it has dings in both front doors, the drivers side rear quarter has a scrape, and the drivers side rocker panel got a little dent that I can’t figure out at all. The front bumper cover is missing a chunk (that was my fault…it got hooked on something & I didn’t know it), & the rear bumper cover has a cracked. All of this happened while it was parked, except the front bumper cover & the rear quarter scrape (some airhead was ripping out of her garage without looking as I was driving down my alley…first time it was hit, within a week of buying it. The tongue lashing she got from me was brutal enough she moved away lol.
That being said, considering the location of the car & it’s general condition, I suspect the miles are original, if it hasn’t been painted.
But machinery falls apart from sitting. Things corrode. Chemicals age & don’t lubricate properly. Rubber & plastics dry-rot. If these are original miles, I would be cautious. I would want an in-person inspection. Is the cost of travel to see it in person worth it for such a low line car? To me it is (I like this car), but not necessarily to everyone. I’m not throwing my hat in the ring for many, many reasons (I wish I were), but I hope it goes to a good home.
The car has been repainted.
I still agree with you about the winters, but Hazelton (not Hazelwood) is about an hour north of Harrisburg up I-81 towards Scranton in north central PA, not near Pittsburgh. What is the white stuff on the steering wheel? Is that from damp storage do you think?
mold
I would say the car was stored in a humid place and has mold growing on the steering wheel and the air filter. I personally doubt the mileage claim of 35k. The engine compartment tells the true story in my opinion.
I agree, David. An explanation for the seat fabric looking like new could be explained easily. My Aunt had a brown version of this car with those wonderful plastic seat covers. Looks like they took them off after getting it out of the damp dark storage location.
Steering wheel is covered with white mold. Cleans off without staining. Tends to grow where driver made hand contact.
I own a ’69 Dart similar in configuration to this Nova. Bare bones, 6 cylinder car. I got it with 20k miles on it and it now has 30k miles. The interior looks perfect but the exterior looks like a car that sat in various garages for 30 years as generations of kids squeezed by it with bikes as stuff was piled on it or fell on it. It looks like this one. Lots of dings and some trim damage. I think the mileage is probably accurate.
The nice thing about low mileage cars is once you get everything reliable and safe, they don’t have rattles, doors close properly and everything is smooth. The nice thing about 4 doors is they have no value so you don’t need to worry about where you park them. I semi-daily drive mine all summer.
Beautiful looking car. This is my favourite year for the Chevy Nova. Given its condition, I’d pay close to the asking price. That should leave enough money for inspections and upgrades if needed.
If you are actively trying to sell a car, at least make it presentable…that steering wheel alone…I’m not gonna touch that, it’s a Pennsylvania disease factory….that’s just gross….bet the guy wears overalls and drinks PBR…
I agree. If it’s at all possible, I would also bring the car outside, out in the open for people to see.
But if you did that, you’d likely see additional evidence that this is not a 35,000-mile car. One look at that engine compartment confirms that. 35,000 miles doesn’t grease up a six banger like that no matter where it’s been stored!
This Bar Find is better off not found. I don’t believe anything about this “car” especially the miles!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the car that a good clean up couldn’t fix.
I think your definition of wrong…is wrong.
If it can be driven under its own power, then I think there’s hope for the car.
This 79 was still a 4th Gen Nova, which ran from 1975 till 1979. The 5th Gens weren’t till the Toyota Corolla based 1985-1988.
I agree. I remember when the Toyota based Chevy Nova was introduced. While it may have been a good car, like most Toyotas, despite being badged a Chevrolet and having a Chevrolet “Bowtie”, I knew it wasn’t a Chevrolet. I thought it looked like a Toyota, either a Corolla or something.