By 1972, the biggest engine you could get in a Chevy Nova had a displacement of 350 cubic inches. And if you wanted muscle with a 4-barrel carburetor, you checked the Super Sport box on the order form. This ’72 Nova began life as a grocery getter with a 307 V8, but an extensive restoration, including a 454 V8 swap, has taken place. Located with a dealer in Ocala, Florida, this wolf in sheep’s clothing is available without reserve here on Hagerty. The current bid of $26,000 will be a bargain if no other takers materialize. Here’s a tip from “PRA4SNW”.
The third generation of the Nova had its swan song in 1972. The following year, the quasi-fourth generation emerged, which would include the addition of a hatchback model. Sales almost reached 350,000 units in 1972, making it one of the Nova’s best years since its launch in 1962. It takes a devoted fan to distinguish the 1970-72 Novas from one another, with a switch to amber turn signal lenses in ’71 being one that purists will identify.
If you check the odometer, it would appear the car has 17,000 miles. That sounds hard to believe, and we have no idea how good or bad the condition of the car was before its current or previous owner undertook an extensive and expensive makeover. Besides a 454 replacing the 307, we’re guessing a TH-400 transmission has superseded either a TH-350 or Powerglide.
This Chevy looks like a grandma’s car until you open the hood. The Pewter Metallic paint looks great, and we assume that it’s the original color. The black vinyl upholstery looks as though no one has sat inside this beauty, although the steering wheel isn’t stock. We’re told the original suspension was reused, so the car has not been beefed up to handle the heavier weight over the front wheels. But you have extra gauges on the dash to help you keep track of the action. The only flaw the seller acknowledges is that one of the radio knobs is missing (surely you can find one online).
You know, Russ, I wonder if my grandfather said, “I want the biggest motor you have”. Set the “wayback machine” for that golden time, Spring of 1972, graduation was imminent, American Pie was the big hit, and my grandfather, ( the Packard one), said, “Howie, come with me to get my new car”, having NO idea whatsoever lie in store. Imagine a 17 year olds glee, riding in the ’65 4 door sedan as a trade in, then seeing this car, only green. :0,,probably a good thing they didn’t offer the 454, or who knows? It was mighty big to be cruising around in a ’72 Nova with “350” on the fender. Before you go Nova ga-ga, I can tell you, it was a BASIC car, and intended as such. Gramps, and 350,000 others, coughed up about $2400, with a V8, in ’72, minus the $500 for his ’65 Impala with 41K,( that there was a lot full of by then), and paid cash. I don’t think he EVER took out a loan for anything. Having the Packard, a ’61 Impall, and a ’65 Impala, a Nova was so out of character. In fact, I don’t think he actually liked the car. I sure did. With an option list a mile long, aside from the 350/3 speed automatic, no trim, no carpet, an am radio and a clock, were the only options he got. I’m telling you, folks, it was actually a poor car, handled iffy, I doubt gramps got disc brakes, and many didn’t, it was just a cheapie car, with one exception, it went like a “windmill in a tornado” in a straight line. The 350/2 barrel of gramps was nothing to write home about, but this will pull the front wheels, if you get any traction, that is. Cool find, and again, thanks for mems.
This appears to be a no nonsense build. The car appears to be clean and who ever built it, pulled the 8.25″ rear and installed a 8.5″ 10 bolt rear in it. I think if someone could get this for $35 large and under, it would be a good deal.
Any bets on what the bid traffic is like in the last 1/2 hour of the auction 2days from now? Super clean sleeper machine, a screaming deal at the current price but we know it won’t be anywhere close to that price when it goes. Exceptionally well done machine and even with the A/T it’s got to be a fun to cruise.
The 350 may have been the biggest motor for the ’72 model year, but earlier ones could be had with a 396. As kids we used to hang out in the center of town and in the bank parking lot a plain jane Nova 2dr was always parked there. It had 396 badges on the front fenders and was a automatic on the column. One day a young lady bank teller came out and got in that car to go home. I (about 12 yrs. old) asked her if it really had a 396 in it. She said I don’t know, but it has a big V-8 and its really fast. This one looks like a winner, I even like the color. I do wish it had a 4speed, I like to row my own gears. But I’m not going to be the buyer, but somebody is going to love this car for sure.