Thanks to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo and the resulting shift to smaller cars, Chevy’s venerable Nova had its best sales year in 1974. While a lot of buyers went after six-cylinder gas sippers, 10% of buyers that year ordered a 2-door sedan (not hatchback) with a V8 engine. In this case, a 350 cubic-inch version that’s been souped up to 400 hp. Located in Yankton, South Dakota, this tasteful beauty is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $19,500. “NW Iowa Kevin” has been at it again with cool tips!
Chevrolet gave the popular Nova a facelift in 1973-74, partly to accommodate the new hatchback model. And to bolt on bigger bumpers fore and aft to make the Federal safety people happy. A Custom model was also added, which provided a better level of trim than the standard editions came with. Nearly 40,000 V8 Custom sedans were produced, like the seller’s car, although we don’t know the split between 307 or 350 2-barrel motors. This also excludes the SS, which still had a 4-barrel 350, though restricted.
We’re told this 350 has been tweaked to produce 400 horses, considerably more than stock. Besides aluminum heads, we don’t know what other tricks may have been applied. With a fresh tune-up, the seller says the machine runs great, and the TH-400 transmission has been treated to a B&M shifter. The overall mileage is 91,000, but mechanically, the car probably has a lot less.
Besides the Chevy’s good looks, new stuff includes the tires (on Cragar rims) and a new interior. This appears to be a comfortable ride that will also loosen the molars under acceleration. The 1973/74 Novas don’t seem to be as popular today as the 1968-72s, perhaps because of their bulkier appearance. Being a Nova fan myself, I’d be interested in this one if it were a lot closer (SD vs. FL).
Back when I was in my 40’s I purchased a 1984 Dodge Conquest. That car punched all of my buttons for being fast. I raced anyone on the highway. I knew it would get me thrown into jail or kill me. When the girlfriend needed more room to haul her college projects, I traded it in for a 1985 Chrysler hatchback. It also had a turbo. Kept it for 12 years. The kids loved it when it would talk to them. The 3000 when it came out had a $3,000 dealer markup. It became a Doctor and Lawyer car. Wanted one really bad.
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Nice Nova! It has drum brakes front and rear. Last of the good body styles.
When I think Chevy Nova, this is what comes to mind – same stance, same colour, same drivetrain, same year. A fine-looking example of a “standard muscle car”.
Those clunky bumpers ruin it for me. It’s simple enough (but expensive!) to put a 68-72 front end on one of these, and “tuck” the back bumper…but then it ain’t stock. Can save over 100 pounds on front and even more on the rear if you get rid of the shocks and middle half of inner bumper reenforcment bar. I’ve got one with hatchback in the works, hope I finish it before I croak!
I agree, the Federal “Bash Beam” bumpers are not a good look, the pre-’73 cars are a better looking car because of that! But then again, you couldn’t get the hatchback until the redesign, so there’s that! I think I might ditch the carburetor in favor of a Borla fuel injection system, which replicates the look of a multi-carburetor Weber setup, complete with velocity stacks, for a “Grand Prix” vibe. I also agree that the only things keeping it from perfection, IMHO, are that facts that it’s not a hatchback, and it’s not mine, LOL! Other than that, it’s damn near perfect! GLWTS!
Checks the all the boxes except hatchback
Yeah, the bumpers do look out of place.
In the same Facebook post is a 1968 T-Bird for $2800, missing its OEM 429 V8! Might be worth it, if you could find a 429 or 460 from a wreck, or Ford makes crate 460’s that are bored and stroked out to 572 cubic inches, LOL!
ere’s a link:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1331982401975051/
That’s a pretty cool car that’s in good shape. I would look for something more reasonable than an $18,000 motor for a $2,800 car though. A used 351 would be just fine
That’s why a junkyard 429 or 460 might be a better bet, especially since the 429 was the stock engine choice for a ’68 T-Bird. Even if you have to overhaul it, it’s still likely to be cheaper than the crate 572, but OTOH, there is no substitute for cubic inches, LOL! BTW, Ford also sells crate 351’s that have been bored and stroked to 460 cubic inches! Just like the Ford crate 302’s are available as 347’s!
Not many Chevy guys put a Ford engine in their Chevys, but Ford guys sure do love that 350 Chevy SM engine…lol
True enough, but I’m a purist. Nothing but Ford power in my T-Bird, dammit!