The Chevy II/Nova enjoyed a long, healthy run at Chevrolet, from 1962-79. And it launched spinoffs at Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile. The third generation would be its most popular (1968-74), including what appears to be a nice survivor here from 1972. With 43,000 miles on the odometer, the car has spent most of its time staring at the walls inside a garage. From Susanville, California, this Cream Yellow Nova is available here on craigslist for $24,000 OBO. Another cool tip compliments of Pat L.!
Other than items like the turn signal lenses, side marker lights, steering wheel, radio knobs, and a few other minor items, the physical appearance of the Chevy Nova was virtually unchanged from 1969-72 (you can tell a ’68 easier from the others). And yet the sales by model year would be all over the board: 251,849 in 1969, 307,280 in 1970, 194,878 in 1971, and 349,733 in 1972 (the car’s second-best year up to that point). Production was stymied in 1971 by a labor strike in the Fall of 1970. And perhaps demand for the new Plymouth Duster/Dodge Demon fastback also played into the retreat of 1971.
This nice Nova from ‘72 doesn’t come with much history such as how many owners has it had and why was it used so little in 50 years. But we’re told the paint is original and we assume the same for the black vinyl top and matching deluxe interior. While the seller says the body is in good condition, he/she does make it a point to say the auto is 98% rust-free – so where’s the other 2%? From what we can see of the passenger compartment, nothing there will require any immediate attention. In one of the photos, the placement of the driver’s side front wheel looks a bit odd, but it could be how the camera was set up to take pictures.
Under the hood resides the Chevy’s original 350 cubic inch V8, which would be the 2-barrel version (the 4-barrel was reserved for the Super Sport). The transmission is probably the Turbo-Hydramatic as the 2-speed Powerglide was on its way out and just offered with the 307 engine. We’re told the Nova runs well with no mention of anything needing work. But since we see there is no longer a belt on the factory air conditioning compressor, that’s at least one thing to get checked out.
With its limited use of exterior chrome trim and wheels sporting baby moon hubcaps, this Nova looks like a sleeper – but it isn’t. I had a ’70 with the 2-barrel 350 and it just did crack 17 seconds in the quarter-mile. But this Chevrolet comes with its original build sheet and other Day 1 paperwork, so what you see likely is what you’ll get.
Wow! My eyes nearly popped out when I saw this. I would probably source a power brake booster and definitely get the A/c working again. Man I sure would like to have this car. Susanville is a burg on the Northeast part of California. I have cousins that dwell in the area. I always preferred the rally sport wheels on these cars, but the combination that’s on it look great. Nice car.
God Bless America
This car is for sale on eBay right now. 4/1/23
“Grandpa? Can you hear me? #2 grandson here( he only had 3 grandkids), look what they want for your Nova”,, Yep, matter of time,,,Howard finally snapped,,not really, my grandpas was a ’71, lime green, no a/c or vinyl top, but Sam ting ( his name was Sam) , moon hubcaps, which were stock, 350, 2 barrel, 3 speed auto, it was a fun car for going to the um,,,,library. Gramps was no idiot, he knew a 16 year old punk would like it, and I did. He boughtit new at Holz Chevy in Milwaukee, and we figured some slick salesperson talked him into the 350, because it was so unlike him to do so. I went with him to pick it up, and upon leaving the dealer, it had a sticky throttle, and gramps left a bit of rubber, to his surprise, to my delight. Had plenty of power, but ran out of steam quickly, and a 4 barrel and headers were sorely needed. It was a much cooler car for cruising McDonalds than the old mans Lincoln. I think this was his last car too ( like the other grandpas Ambassador) It was a basic car and this is too. Funny, someone ordered ac and p/s, but no p/b. It’s a nice find in that, these semi- unibodies all broke in half, or were repaired and “dog-tracked”, and the ones that didn’t, got hotrodded to the 9’s, to see a stock one is unusual,,oh, yeah, can’t forget my signature BF’s catch phrase, they’re nuts,, and gramps would agree, I’m sure.
Stand back for all the “the seller is nuts. This is a $3000 car, tops” comments.
Original once… restore one for $3000 lmao who’s nuts…
I’ll leave the seller is nuts comments to someone else, but for the ask I’d think a full detail of the engine compartment and all systems working would be more in line…
I agree, Paul!
While I believe this car to be worth considerably more than $3000, and I would be willing to pay considerably more than that amount for it, it is definitely NOT worth anywhere near as much as the seller wants for it.
If he got the A/C working, detailed the engine compartment and cleaned up the interior, I think it would be worth $10,000, as long as it would pass a state inspection.
Give ya $5000 and you ship to me your cost (NJ)
Well, i would think it would be cleaner than that under the hood with such low mileage, always being in the garage, & i would not expect any rust in the trunk either.
Had one just like this, but white where this one is black and with styled wheels. Very torquey but quickly ran out of steam. Used a remarkable amount of gas, and I don’t mean in a good way.
And even more relevant right now.
$24,000 ? I’d want more value for the money, actually.
And something not a gas hog with a hobby car.
The times are changing. Crack prices for anything that presents well are going to meet cold realities of taking care of bills, rent, mortgages, food and gas for just the daily driver to get to work.
Gas hog 350 cubic inch, 2 barrel carburetor on a hobby car? You can do much worse in the fuel economy ratings than this car. Suggest you check out Beetles, Pintos or Vegas.
When I exited the Army in ’72, I treated myself to a brand new ’72 Chevy Nova. Exact same exterior, to include roof. Interior was Strato Bucket seats in the Butternut(?) color. Pretty nice in the day with a 4-speed paired to the 350. Sold it in ’74 due to gas prices. Got a ’74 Celica GT/ 5 speed to replace it. Think I got like 1,700 for the Nova with about 20 K on it. Arrrggghhhh !
These cars are easy to work on it looks pretty clean for about 12k
If you got AC on a 350 you had to take the right front tire off to get at the front plugs.
Or have correct tools,no need to remove wheel.
If I had all the correct tools to work on all the vehicles that have passed thru my wrenches, they would reach the moon lined up end to end.
I’d prefer the ’57 Desoto I just read about previous to this post and keep 10K in my pocket.
Perspective.
Pretty rough car for 43k miles, certainly not a $24k car…
Very nice car!
But a correction: This is a FIRST-generation Nova. The first year of the Nova as a model line unto itself was 1969.
1968 was the LAST year for the Chevy II. From 1962 to ’68, Nova was just an appearance option package on the Chevy II line.
Likewise, Malibu was an appearance option package on the Chevelle line from 1964 to’77, and 1978 was the first year for the Malibu as a model line.