The impact of the OPEC oil embargo had its effect on new car sales for 1973. Nova sales that year were up six percent over ’72 and ’74 would grow by another six percent. The car had its first styling change since 1968’s major redesign, but they didn’t substantially change the look of the car. This 1973 Nova 2-door sedan is said to have low mileage and looks to have been locked away in a shed for a while. The seller says it’s a great project or parts car, which is another way for saying it doesn’t run. The car is located in Jacksonville, Florida and available here on craigslist for $3,800.
The third generation of the Chevy Nova (1968-74) was hugely popular, selling more than two million copies in seven model years. The car started out in 1962 being called the Chevy II and the Nova was a trim option. In 1969, the original moniker was gone, and it was Nova all the way. Of the 370,000 Nova’s built for ’73, more than half of them were 2-door sedans like the seller’s car. Nearly a third of total production was economy-minded, i.e. cars with the 250 cubic inch inline-six installed. This baseline Nova sedan is one of about 54,000 sold that way, so this car is not in rare company. Source: NovaResource.
We don’t get a great detail of information about this car and the pictures we have are from inside a dark shed or garage. If the car runs, why not take it out for pictures? At 43,000 miles, what’s wrong with it mechanically that the seller would call it a project or parts car? This Nova has the venerable 2-speed Powerglide automatic, so this engine/tranny combination is usually a reliable one.
There’s no reference to the condition of the car other than “the usual wear for the age.” We don’t see any obvious rust in the pictures and the white over blue two-tone paint was an attractive choice. The driver’s side wiper blade is missing altogether, there could be damage to the panel below it and the rear bumper has a pretty sizeable dent in it. When you look inside, the front seat is trashed as is what’s left of the front carpeting. Not sure what’s going on with the rear seat.
Since this car is not a special edition, like an SS with a 350 V-8, the resale value on autos like this are at used car prices. It would have to be a really clean example for one to come close to five figures. Given that this is a six-banger in mostly unknown condition, the seller’s asking price seems like a stretch to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Nova fan, but a pedestrian example that you have to haul away isn’t considered a treasure in my book.
Back in college in 1980, a guy offered to sell me his ’74 Nova Hatchback for $400. So the car was just 6 years old at the time, with about 60K miles. It had no rust, and it ran great.
I drove that Nova for a year and sold it for $600, then bought my friend’s ’67 BelAir for $150. So my experience with Chevrolets was good, until that damned Corsica.
You made me laugh Rex, thanks. You should have held on to that Nova, you could get maybe $4400 for it!
This is a $1000 car, I’m sorry… You add a few things like a 4 speed and a 350, we can talk bigger numbers.
Rex, I had a ‘91 Regal with a 3.1, automatic. I got it from my father in law and drove it for years, to about 220,000. The trans started to fail, but that was one tough car… Corsica not a Buick though.
When a seller tells you up front it’s “great project or parts car” and “usual wear for its age”, then throws in “meet me with cash and haul it away”, they are telegraphing it’s really rough. People don’t describe decent, low mileage cars in that manner.
It’s worth a look if you live in the area, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Steve R
LOL more like 142 k they got ugly with the big bumper and not worth fixing in my opinion…….
You can see the wear on the break pedal saying it’s 142.000 miles. Great father & son project.
Novas and Corsicas two totally different cars. I’ve owned both. Bought a 69 Nova new, and a 88 Corsica used in 95. Both had good and bad. The Nova with big v8 was quick but thirsty. The Corsica with 4 cylinder was economical and had ice cold a/c, which was nice in Naples, Florida, but was a butt ugly silver/grey and ate front brake pads every 3,000 or 4,000 miles in town driving. Both cars required good traction rated tires or they would hydroplane on very little road water.
God bless America
Man , it takes quite a lot to bend one of those reinforced bumpers like that ! How anyone could say a car has only 43,000 miles with a destroyed front seat and worn pedals is beyond me . Its got a poor paint job on it as well, and rust bubbles by the taillights is not a good thing
Some better pictures would be nice. This is like buying the proverbial pig in the poke.
I’ve had two novas and one Pontiac Ventura which I liked better than either of the nova’s but I got quite a few miles out of the one nova before I sold it!! This could make a good project but I agree just from the looks of the interior it’s not a low mileage car!!
I wonder how rusted the underbody is. After sitting in this shed or garage for who knows how long, it could be pretty crispy. If it is solid, this is a great base for a project. If not, then we know why the seller describes it as a parts car.