Maybe fifteen or twenty years ago, I would see an elderly woman driving around town in a clean ’68 Chevy II sedan, sometimes on snowy, salty days. This always raised a few questions: How many miles were on it? How did she keep it so nice while driving it through the slush? Did she buy it new? It’s been a while since that blue Chevy has popped up around town, but how many similar Chevy II (or Nova) sedans are stashed in people’s garages around the country? Perhaps someone in the Vermont town where this ’69 is being sold is asking how many miles are on this one, and how it’s stayed so clean.
The answer (on the mileage question, at least) is 43,000, and the seller even includes a picture of the odometer to prove it. Unfortunately, there’s no real way of telling if the odometer has taken another trip around the sun, but the evidence argues against it. It’s a common refrain around here, but the advertisement doesn’t give us too much to go on, just that it’s rust-free and recently inspected (by whom we do not know). Oh, and it’s clean. It’s so nice the owner said it twice.
There’s no 350 or 396 under the hood (as you may have guessed), but also no 307. Nope, this is a six-banger, either a 230 (140 horsepower) or a 250 (155 horsepower). At least it’s not the base 153 cubic-inch four cylinder, although that would be a fun find.
The seller also says that the paint is original, and that’s believable based on the pictures in the ad. Being born around the time of the Apollo missions, this Nova has all the green that money could buy. If the paint chips don’t lie, I’d guess that the exterior color is Frost Green. This may be the original upholstery; it matches the sample in the 1969 Nova brochure. If so, it’s the standard “cloth-and-vinyl” interior, as you might expect in a car that appears to be nearly devoid of options.
And that brings up a good point. Many car buyers today bemoan the lack of inexpensive transportation options in the new car world. They don’t want navigation, heated seats, touch screens, or power windows. They just want a car, a car that Chevy was glad to sell you back in 1969: a no-frills Nova. The seller on Craigslist is asking $8500 (or trade), and that sounds like a lot at first, but this is a chance at owning a car that a lot of people say they want. It’s cheaper than anything on the lot today, and we thank Mitchell G. for sending it our way.
Am I crazy, or does the fourth photo here show it with a white vinyl top?
Just looks very very faded roof to me.
If you look more closely at the photos in the ad, it looks like they were taken very shortly after sunrise. That’s dew.
Just looks very very faded roof to me.
Lots of money for a $2500 car.
This car has four wheels with tires on them, so in this market, not a $2500 car.
This is the sort of car you buy based on price, not passion, 27 days on the market says it’s overpriced. There are a lot of late-60’s through mid-80’s 4 doors available in similar or better condition for less money.
Steve R
True. If it hasn’t sold for a period of time it’s over priced.
Based on the pictures, the mileage claim looks accurate. It’s nice to see an all original, low mileage basic car, but the 6 cyl will be boring to drive. It could be a fun toy if someone doesn’t mind the lack of power. I’d drive it just the way it is, preserving it and enjoying rides for coffee or something.
The numbers on the odometer line up like they should and the driver’s side of the seat isn’t worn or sagging, so yes I believe it’s truly 43k miles.
My girls may not like it, but I do! They
just don’t get any simpler than this!
Finally, a car that an average guy can
property maintain WITHOUT breaking the bank. Just look at that engine bay! Gobs of room for the owner to
change the plugs, check and change
the oil when needed, and clean and
adjust the points when needed unless
you go with an HEI ignition. Those old sides may be boring, but they’re
dead pan reliable and parts? You.can
still get what you need to keep this old gal running at your nearest NAPA
Auto parts store. Yeah, you guys are
gonna think I’m nuts for saying this
price is fair, but when you look at the
expensive cost of maintaining a modern car today this seems like a
really good proposition. Sure does beat paying $300 for an oil change
or $150 to change a tire. Bear in mind that these are Florida prices and
things may be cheaper where you live. And if you still want GPS, test the lighter fuse, buy one of those
lighter adapters, and there you are.
Who says you can’t have modern
amenities in a classic car?!!
I agree, would try to dicker him or her down just because…well crap i paid 4400 for a landcruiser no rust now it drives and everyone in town wants it. I like that 4dr, common man chevy.
My parents had one identical to this. 1969, 4-door, Frost Green, straight-6 and Powerglide. It was the first car of ours I remember.
I also think it’s a little high on price, but not by much. I could sleep at night if I paid the asking price.
I think it’s a fun car, and if I had the room/was closer to me, it would be a serious consideration.
And a quick note about points: it’s amazing how a (now) $10.00 part like a condenser can turn that 3000 pound car into an immobile hunk of frustrating, immobile metal. The last time a condenser went bad on me, it was a new part with less than 1500 miles on it. I’m actually going to replace the distributor with a new MSD all in one unit, because I was so annoyed…
The problem with someone offering a no-frills car like this today is that it wouldn’t be cheap. If you took a $25,000 Malibu and stripped out the power windows, power locks, screen, tilt steering, aluminum wheels, air conditioning, etc, etc, etc, you *might* be able to get it down to $20,000. Who wants to pay that much money for a stripper?
Id grab this for sentimental reasons: My gramma had a silver 4-door exactly like this but was a V8 (not sure the package) Original owner too and I could have bought it cheap a few years ago but wanted a coupe only
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the 1968-70 Chevy Nova. Given its nice original survivor condition, I’d be willing to pay around the $8500 asking price. If only more pictures were posted. There’s no such thing as too many pics.
1969 means virtually no emission controls on the motor, other than a PCV valve, so drivability should be good, if uninspiring. It’s otherwise in excellent condition, so it would make a great driver! I’d be inclined to keep it stock, as there would be a huge temptation to restomod this puppy if it were a coupe, but a four-door sedan, not so much. Keep any modifications to bolt-on parts, and drive it!
I would take the ’78 Nova for $750 and work on it as I go over this one.
A little help from 12Bolt Tom would make that 6-pack roar!
Can anyone else make out the dealer name? looks like Minnesota?
You must be referring to a 12-bolt turbocharger because a 12-bolt diff won’t help this car pull a bum out of bed with a long rope.
@Viper
Nope, I was referring to 12Bolt Tom Lowe, Master of the Inline 6.
https://www.12bolt.com/
‘12 bolt’ is named after the rear end but checking out website it looks like they’ve also done their homework with chebbie 6’s.
Nothing wrong with a strong running 6-inline.