When it came to fulfilling the needs of compact car buyers, the Chevrolet Nova was usually at the top of the heap. It was in production from 1962 to 1979, with the generation from 1968 to 1972 perhaps being the most desirable today. The 1973-74 models were restyled to accommodate a new hatchback model and bigger bumpers. The seller has a sharp-looking ’74 hatchback that may be a factory SS, but it has something not available in the day – a 454 cubic inch V8 upgraded to 468. Located in Portland, Oregon, it needs some attention in the interior but that may be most of it. It’s available here on craigslist for $22,000.
The 1974 model year ended up being the best sales period for the Nova. But that was probably because of the growing shift from gas guzzlers to more fuel friendly smaller cars (remember the OPEC oil embargo?). More than 390,500 Nova’s found new homes that year with one out of five being hatchbacks. The Super Sport was still an option, but a 350 V8 was the biggest available (and it had been detuned). The seller’s car has SS emblems and 350 badging, but they could have been added later.
A cosmetic restoration was started by the previous owner, and the black paint looks stellar. The swap between a 350 and a 454/468 were probably done by that owner, too, and it’s backed up by a 4-speed manual transmission. The car resided in California at the time and has since migrated north to Oregon. We assume the car runs properly, but the listing says there is no exhaust so that’s a problem.
The interior needs work. The bucket seats don’t match the back seat, and we’re told there is no headliner or glovebox, and some of the gauges aren’t hooked up, including the speedometer. Some of the upgrades to the Nova include the carburetor, aluminum radiator, front disc brakes, and an air ride suspension. So, this is a project that doesn’t look like at one first glance. And thanks for the tip, “Curvette”.
Here’s a classic case of “why did they stop working on it?” They went to the trouble of massaging a 454 and stuffed it in, but didn’t finish the job. Lots of work elsewhere is needed too. $22k should get you a more completely modded Nova.
I couldn’t have said it better.
I concur your concurring.
lot of money for nothing.
The fact that it isn’t finished is a head scratcher, but what it needs isn’t much. Yet another example of life getting in the way perhaps? Hooking up the speedometer cable shouldn’t be a big deal, but make sure that the correct speedometer gear is fitted, to match that 3.73 Positraction rear end! IIRC, the speedometer drive gears are color coded, so that you can tell at a glance which gear you need for a given axle ratio. An exhaust system and headliner will probably set you back a couple of grand. The front bucket seats could also stand new seat covers, so budget extra for that, and it cries out for a console to go between those seats! Finding a factory console could be tricky, and I don’t know if anyone makes reproduction consoles on the aftermarket, though. You might be able to get him to take a few bucks off of the price to cover the cost of finishing it. At $15k, it’s a bargain, at $22k, not so much. Somewhere between $15 and $20k sounds fair to my admittedly inexperienced ears.
You still might not be done with the speedo calibration unless you factor in those tall tires.
True. I forgot about those big “meats” out in the back, LOL! I’m not sure how you compensate for those, though.
GM dealer had a sale on these in 1968 – base model ( 6 w/3 on the tree). Price? $1995 ! Knew a gal whose dad bought her one. :-) Terry J
If it runs and stops then it’s done, if you intend to thrash it 1/4 mile at a time.
Looks like a race car to me.
The seller makes no reference to the car being an SS, other than the one emblem bolted to the grill there is nothing that would lead anyone to believe it is. To assert it could be, based on what’s present in the description and lack of other indicators is a big leap.
The asking price, $22,000, for an unfinished project is pretty aggressive.
Steve R
The ss package for 1974 was the large SS decals on the fenders and the stripes on the edges of the hood And trunk .the 73 SS had the ss emblem on the grill . I’m 90% sure the ss did not come with the hatchback .Ive owned a 74 ss and a 73 ss and several 72 novas plus a 63
Good to know, thanks.
Steve R
I agree with all my BF brothers, all that on top of being a 74 with those oversized bumpers and hideous taillights.
I like the car, if the motor is in stellar condition and clutch and pressure plate are in great condition. It’s a daily driver, not a freeway cruiser.
The looks and engine says race me.
22k for a car that is neither original nor a finished restomod? No way. The interior alone is going to cost a pretty penny to finish, and im sure there are far more items that need attention.
Age old problem for Nova owners back in the day…how to get big tires to fit under the rear fenders. Forget about the deep dished rims we all liked for the rear! One of the big reasons Camaros and Chevelles were more popular than Novas, although the Camaro and Nova were basically the same under the skin. I had never heard that 74 was a top selling year for Novas, although I do remember a number of friends that bought new 350 4-speed versions. I never minded the bigger bumpers that much although I do prefer 72 and earlier like most of us. Saginaw trannys were not known to hold up as well as Muncies either. Actually I have good memories of a 74 250 6 cyl. 3 on the floor Nova I had as a driver in 84 or 85. Good transportation, not much to look at, pretty rusty but ran good, just watch the oil! Paid $250 for it, sold it a year later to a guy for his son who just started driving for the same money. Saw him a couple months later, said it blew up because…wait for it! He ran it out of oil. Cheap transportation! Those days are gone forever. Anyway, this is a nice Nova but plenty of $ for what it needs just to chime in.
Lot of the normal complaints about this ride and the price, however, to buy a Nova, paint it and add a built big motor, a 4 speed and tires/wheels is not cheap and I bet the builder had more than 22K invested. Is it worth 22K? It will be if it gets the price.