Claiming any classic is a genuine example of a particular version is admirable, but that claim becomes questionable when the vehicle undergoes extensive modifications. Such is the case with this 1968 Nova, which the seller claims is a genuine SS 396. However, it no longer features its factory paint shade or drivetrain, but the upgrades don’t make it a bad vehicle. After a meticulous build, it presents superbly and features a mechanical combination guaranteed to pin occupants in their seats. This Nova is listed here on eBay in Elyria, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $28,100, although there is time for interested parties to stake their claim.
The seller states this Nova recently underwent a rotisserie restoration, although I would class it as a refurbishment due to the changes made. They started the process with a solid foundation because this classic has no history of rust issues. It is unclear what paint shade originally cloaked its arrow-straight panels, but the Hugger Orange we see here makes a bold visual statement. Chevrolet didn’t offer this shade on the Nova color palette until 1969, but that doesn’t make it any less stunning. Rolls-Royce is famous for what it calls its “piano finish” paint, and this car isn’t far below that standard. It shines like glass, with no visible flaws or defects. The chrome and trim are immaculate, and while we don’t get a look underneath this SS, it is safe to assume that there are no issues to cause a new owner sleepless nights. The car rolls on Rally wheels with Baby Moon hubcaps, and the tinted glass is spotless.
As a genuine SS 396, the original owner would have had up to 375hp at their disposal. When teamed with a four-speed manual transmission as this car originally featured, it would have stormed the ¼-mile in 14 seconds. This Nova isn’t numbers-matching, but its mechanical configuration is enough to set mouths watering! The engine bay features a 468ci big-block with headers and a Flowmaster exhaust. It is unclear how much power it produces, but I would estimate it as somewhere around “a lot.” The ponies feed to the 12-bolt 3.73 Posi rear end via a Richmond five-speed manual transmission. Bringing proceedings to a safe halt are four-wheel power disc brakes. The seller emphasizes that every aspect of this classic was professionally built, so this Nova should hold no nasty surprises for its new owner. They say it runs and drives perfectly, meaning the buyer could immediately slip behind the wheel and revel in the motoring experience.
Considering this Nova’s recent history, it is unsurprising to discover its interior isn’t 100% original. However, like the rest of the car, it is hard to fault its presentation. The upholstered surfaces wear Black vinyl and cloth that shows no evidence of wear or abuse. The same is true of the carpet and dash, and I can’t spot any UV damage. Modifications are surprisingly modest but are designed to extract the maximum from that brute under the hood without compromising its health. The dash-mounted tach makes it easy to ensure no over-revs when the going gets serious, while an additional gauge cluster would alert the driver to any mechanical maladies. Otherwise, it is largely as it left the factory.
Although I admit a weakness to any classic wearing the Blue-Oval badge, I wouldn’t object to finding this 1968 Nova SS 396 parked in my garage. Its presentation is faultless, while its mechanical configuration should command respect wherever it goes. Cars like this rewrite the rules when it comes to determining potential value. If it were an original and numbers-matching vehicle, its condition would justify a price of $60,000. The color change and drivetrain upgrades mean it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. The bidding has been more subdued than I expected, although the five people who have dropped a bid may have done so to gauge the potential response from other interested parties. I expect the action to intensify as the end looms, but I’m unwilling to stick out my neck and predict a final figure. Maybe I need to sit back and monitor the proceedings on this one. Who wants to join me?
Saw this ride advertised a few weeks back….does the phone booth go with it?? Maybe that would seal the deal!!!
That just silly! – Everyone knows that phone booths
don’t exist.
Don’t tell that to Dr. WHO…
Phone booth… is that like a really big phone case?
Nice one!
Gosh, as novas go there is a lot of what you want to take on the other car in a 1/4 mile. A 1968 to boot.
This is a real hot rod!! 468 BB can put out north of 500 also with the correct valve train and cam go up to 600-700!! Now that’s a wild ride!! Would love to own this but.. the wife would hide the keys! 😂
Compared to the cost of a new Mustang or Camaro let alone a Corvette, I would definitely choose this car! Well, amongst other cars as well. Anyway, any new car that is at least 40k you might as well buy a Classic. I remember seeing these Novas when I was a little kid and while I was growing up during the 1970’s. Except for the Sport models on cars such as Novas/ Falcons/ Mavericks/ Gremlins and such, these cars were looked at as “cookie cutters”. Stamped out in huge numbers for the average, run-of-the-mill, affordable, relatively well built but nothing too fancy. Just like today, a lot of cars are looked at the same way, cookie cutter, just not body on frame style. No V-8’s, no RWD unless you want a truck. Yeah, when I was a growing up, Novas were not “head turners “, just average. Now that I’m older, they sure look good. Hope this one goes to a good home! Great article too.
Here we go with this “refurbished” business again. You’re doing the builder a disservice by comparing this build to something you might find on a used car lot with a quickie paint job and an interior and engine compartment dripping with Armor-All. Most folks would use the term “resto-mod” to describe this vehicle, indicating that the car has been restored with modifications to suit the builder’s taste.
Nice build. Love 3rd gen Novas. Owned 4 of ’em. Bought a factory L79 68 Chevy II for $1800 in the late 70’s. Wouldn’t hang with a built 468 but it more than capable of dispatching a number of big block Chevelles & Camaros along with countless Fords & Mopars🤭(it was all legal racing of course)Regret selling it to this day. Still own a 69 L78. Owned it for 30 years, not gonna make the same mistake again.
So I see possibly, trim pieces missing around the front headlamps/grille areas….also the “Super Sport” emblems on the 68’ model SS models are missing from the lower rocker panels, the front side marker lamps on the fenders should show 396, not just a plain lamp & bezel…..without a build sheet, window sticker, or original bill of sale….you have zero proof this is a true big block SS car…..
So what!
Tried to buy one of these new. Couldn’t get insurance. Bought a Duster 340 when they came out in ’70 ’cause insurance companies hadn’t add a surcharge yet. Now building a 74 Nova SS 396. This orange one is a real beauty, should go for north of $40K if it runs as good as it looks.
Personally I don’t care if it’s a true SS or not, it’s been modified so it doesn’t really matter anyway unless you want to put it back to stock. I’m a restomod kind of guy so I think it looks great and 28K is not at all unreasonable if it is truly restored as it appears.
Never seen one with the heater control’s on the left side of the steering wheel.
Should have dropped it off at the BJ auction. Would have sold for 100K.
A real 1969 ss nova is hard to beat with a real 396 motor and 4 speed Muncie tranny..I like the gold and black vinyl top car with ss wheels…don’t make this car hard..just a real ss nova car..