Chevrolet sold nearly 350,000 Nova’s in 1972 and none of them came with a 454 cubic inch V8. The largest Nova engine in ’72 was the 350, with or without Super Sport trim. This gold Nova with a black vinyl top looks like a sweet ride, and with a 454 should be quite a screamer. Located in Allen, Texas, this stout Chevy is available here on craigslist for $30,500. Hat’s off to Tony Primo for this exceptional tip!
The 1970 model year would be the last for a factory Nova with a 396 V8. The 454 debuted that year but was not a Nova option. The 1972 SS came with a 200-hp 350 L48 engine that found about 12,300 takers. This vehicle has Super Sport badging, but the seller makes no mention of it being a real SS in the sales pitch, so it would be easy to assume this is a clone. Also, there are no 350 scripts above the front side marker lights which would be the case with the SS.
I have a soft spot for this generation of Nova and had a 1970 edition wearing almost the same color gold paint (but it had a white painted roof). We don’t know if the paint, vinyl top, and interior are original on this automobile, but if they’re not, the overall appearance is quite nice. At what may be 121,000 miles, an older restoration is likely.
Along with the hot 454, this Nova has a 4-speed manual transmission, 10-bolt rear end, posi-traction, and power-assisted steering and brakes. The radiator is new and made of aluminum and a new set of tires sit at all four points. If you’re drawn to the 1968-72 Nova like I am, would this be a purchase you’d go for?
A 10bolt rearend isn’t normaly found at the end of a 454 powertrain. Most would use a 12 bolt.my gavorite yesrs of Nova too. I would love to have this car!!
Since there is nothing numbers matching about this car, I would install a Ford 9 inch rear end with disc brakes.
This car would be so fun to have. I would replace the 10 bolt with a 12 bolt.
Probably a lot of fun when it’s kept straight.
Good luck with that, I had enough problems doing that in my 73 with a 350, lol
The 68-72 Nova had a 3 inch longer wheelbase and had a curb weight within 100lbs than the 67-69 Camaro. Rarely if ever are they claimed to be unstable under acceleration even though the Nova was a more rigid sedan body with a B-pillar and the Camaro was a hardtop. The 62-67 Nova was a different story with their their front suspension and front “frame”. They probably got a bad reputation based to the driver than anything else.
Steve R
Presents very well and the mileage makes this a tidy driver. But a 454 in a light car like a Nova will present traction and handling issues. If I’m looking for a vintage driver, that ’67 Impala will meet my needs better.
Nothing a set of Traction Bars and a front hydraulic steering damper wouldn’t fix, if not already installed.
What’s that funny-looking gizmo on the RT inner fender?
vacuum pump!
Sweet car but not 30 grand worth. The first car I bought brand new was a 69 Nova in dark green. It was a good car for what it was a grocery getter that got terrible gas mileage. I soon dumped it for a 69 Firebird 400 that was a much better car. Back before I went crazy I thought owning a fast car was all life was about. Now of course I realize it’s also about getting there alive. I don’t drive fast cars anymore, but my 64 Buick Riviera is fairly quick, these days I drive the posted speed limit and pay attention to road signs as I nudge along in my 2019 Ford Transit Connect XLT. It’s a 4 cylinder automatic that has a turbo charger if you really want to get out of a situation. Third row seating, who needs that when I live alone so I removed the rear seats to give room for some carry along items. Oh but I do have some fond memories of those days in my 69 Nova, like when we went to Vancouver B.C. to visit my first wife’s grandfather. My then brother in law got drunk and threw up in the back seat of the car. I made him clean it up the next day with a hangover.
God Bless America
Not bad just needs Trans tunnel modded tiny bit & motor mounts moved in 2 inches not much but that 2inches changes the balance just extend the fan shroud & mod the drive shaft.
Moroso rear end & Truss the suspension mounts in rear.
6 point roll bar for interior.
HD caps on the mains & EFI with a 250 NOS shot.
Be a real runner
Nice thing about Nova is all the Camaro suspension parts fit cuz its the exact same chassis underneath.
Oh man, this is a really sweet Nova. I’m a power monger, so the 454 with the 4 speed is right up my alley. But the first thing I’d do when I took possession of this Nova is swap in either a 12 bolt GM or a Ford 9 inch rearend. I’d also probably go a little crazy with good suspension and bigger disc brakes at all 4 corners, but I’d leave the body and interior alone.
I told the story of my parents silver Nova SS here before, it got stolen while my mom was in the grocery store. But I’ve been wanting a 68-72 Nova SS since I was a teenager. I would love to have this one in my garage.
For over 30k all the upgrades mentioned in the comments above should already be added to this nova…..Just saying?
Man, what a sweet car! I love that gold w/ black vinyl top, looks like a very rust free car from what I can see, and the 4 speed just tops it off for me. I would put a 12 bolt posi in it for sure.
The price isn’t that bad considering the car your getting, and the condition it’s in, so I’d say, if this is your cup of tea, go for it., what else can you get in a muscle car for 30K….
I would take that nice ’77 Grand Prix over this Nova for the same amount of $$.
Yep, I’m getting older.
68-72 Nova is my all time favorite.Big block?Check.4 speed? Check.Posi traction? Check.Id thrash on it until the 10 bolt granaded then upgrade to a 9inch.I love the fact it’s not #s matching since I buy to pound em like nature intended,not as future investments
I’ve got a 74 SS w/factory air at the paint shop now, with 375hp396 waiting in the garage. If I’d found this car before I started this odyssey I’d have jumped all over it. But there’s a lot more to retrofitting a BBC in a Nova than just bolting it in, and it looks to me like some important additions are missing on this car.
I remember reading an article many years ago about this setup and on a winding road; it couldn’t get away from a Ford Maverick because of the front end weight issue. Just saying.
Yeah, and it’s worse with bbc in 73-74 because of the heavier bumpers. I’m installing 72 front end, which is lighter, and aluminum radiator, water pump and intake help some, but it’s still nose heavy…especially with factory air.
My girlfriend had one. After a fight she was upset, got into her Nova, jammed her foot into it, and that car lurched. Car did not look like much, but it had some balls under the hood. Oh, me and my girlfriend? We broke up.