The 1965 model year brought a sales increase to every Chevrolet product line except for one – the Chevy II/Nova. Some sales had been pirated away internally by the mid-size Chevelle (new in ’64) and a redesigned Corvair. Externally, the new Ford Mustang was kicking everyone’s butt in the compact car scene. The seller has a sleeper of a 1965 Nova 400 4-door sedan. Rather than switching the inline-6 for a V8, the seller (or a predecessor) has souped up the six-banger. Located in St. Augustine, Florida, this novel Nova is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Thanks, Jack M., for the sporty tip!

Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II in 1962 to compete head-to-head with the Ford Falcon (the Corvair was a similar but different concept). The 1965 model year was the last for the first-generation Chevy II, but it got a nice facelift to differentiate it from the ’64s. The Super Sport was still around, and a V8 was available, but the Chevelle SS seemed to get most of the thunder. A 230 cubic inch inline-6 was standard in the upgraded Nova, but the one in the seller’s car has been replaced (why?) by a 250 with the same cylinder count (the 250 wasn’t available before 1967).

Sales for 1965 dropped to 122,800 units, the Chevy II’s worst year to date. That was one-third fewer Chevy IIs than were sold in 1964. A redesign in 1966 would see production jump by 50,000 units, so the car was back on track and would go on to set sales records with the 1968-72 redesign. Other than the aftermarket wheels, this ’65 Nova blends into the crowd. White over black paint (which has patina at least on the trunk lid) helps to make it almost invisible. There is no mention of any rust. But 1968-72 Nova SS-style hood “louvers” have been added.

At 111,000 miles, the Chevy has been treated to some hot rodding that probably makes the Nova more potent. Some of the replacement goodies include an aluminum radiator, forged pistons, beefier camshaft and heads, a stronger intake manifold to handle a 4-barrel carburetor, and more. Yet the transmission is still the 2-speed Powerglide, but front disc brakes will help stop the car. But you gotta wonder why a small-block V8 wasn’t chosen over the I-6 makeover since the car wasn’t going to be numbers-matching anyway.