The 1970 model year was the last for a 396 cubic inch V8 in a factory Chevrolet Nova. Going forward, the Super Sport was still a strong performer, but a 4-barrel 350 was as far as you could go. There were two horsepower versions of the 396, 350, and 375 (L34 and L78, respectively). The seller’s car was one of 3,765 to come with the latter. But as part of an expensive rotisserie restoration, a 468 full-roller engine has taken over duties. Located in Loudon, Tennessee, this could be one of the nicest Super Sports remaining from 1970. It’s available here on eBay where the current bid is $31,323 (reserve unmet).
One could argue that this Nova SS is better than it was when new. We’re told that $140,000 was expended over time getting the car into the shape you see it here. The heavy lifting was done in 2001. and then the Chevy went into climate-controlled storage for the next 22 years. With 85,000 miles on the odometer, most of that was covered as an original L78 396. But less than 500 miles ago, things really changed.
A new 468 CI 4-bolt engine was installed that may produce up to 550 hp. Yet, the seller says the vehicle is well-mannered and shouldn’t be scary to its next owner/driver. Joining the 468 is a Tremec TKK 5-speed transmission with a hydraulic clutch. The 12-bolt rear end is original but appears to have been dressed up, as has the rest of the Nova’s undercarriage. The list of new parts or modifications is quite extensive, helping explain the hefty restoration price tag.
The seller says all of the body panels are original, and the blue paint and ivory interior look spotless and inviting. We’re told the car was never hit or in an accident. Built in February of 1970, this Nova appears to be quite desirable, even though it isn’t numbers-matching. With the sizeable investment that’s been put into this Chevy, you would assume the reserve would be an uphill climb to reach.
Good writeup Russ, I have never noticed a double strip of chrome along the lower panels of one of these, but after some investigation, found a handful in some online pictures. It would be nice to know what became of the 396 that was recently replaced. If not ruined, would rather have that parked under the hood of this beauty, along with original transmission. I bet this thing is a blast to launch with this setup!
Probably no traction..?
Heavy Chevy wow 🏁
Gorgeous Nova! It appears, this car was originally black, with a black bench interior, but this color combo is really nice. While the original 396 (402) would be preferable, the 468 is a beast of an engine, especially with the hydraulic roller setup. The TKX 5-spd is a game changer. I’ve driven a car with one and it’s a night and day difference, from the M21 that was original to this car. These cars are rare, even more so with the original sheet metal.
That 468 probably started life as a 454 with a bore, cam and roller bits added. A 396 is good if you don’t race them hard, being a 2-bolt bottom end.
An L-78 came with 4 bolt mains, rods with 7/16 bolts, forged pistons, solid lifter cam, square port heads, aluminum intake and a Holley carb. It was basically the equivalent of a 396 cubic inch L-72.
Steve R
The L78 had 4 bolt mains, the L34 and L35 had 2 bolt mains. The L78 was basically a LS6 454, minus 52 cubic inches. A 468 is a 454 bored .060 over. I also noticed this has the BBC heater core location.
Being a factory L78 is meaningless now that the original 396 is not inhabiting the engine bay, but still, with the current 468 and Tremec, I am sure it is quite fun to thrash about town in. I am not crazy about painting the floors and engine compartment the body color but it does seem a lot of time and effort went into this Nova.
I disagree. You can find a date correct L78 and put this car back to original and it is still an L78 car. If you add a L78 to a 6 cyl Nova, it doesn’t make it an L78 car.
While not the best of Chevy big blocks, I would have preferred the original 396 being left in the car especially at that price. It sure is a looker though, and as it is, a goer too no doubt.
I don’t know about $140,000 investment, but it sure looks nice! I’m building one of these, starting with a 74 hatchback SS. 402/375, Factory Air, PS/PDB/tilt. Aftermarket cruise, B&M turbo 350, 3.73 posi. Same color but black interior. Even with a $15K paint job I’ve only got about $75K in it…probably worth about $50-60. Body shop told me it would be ready in a couple of weeks…in 2022! Hope to get it by my 81st birthday in March.
Just flip that number around like I do brother! I am 63 but go as 36….geez you’re 18 again! Enjoy that new Nova like you’re 18!!
Close to your age and finishing a long build on a race car I hope to be driving in a June race. As for us geezers building cars at our age, nobody said we couldn’t!
Bob, I’ll never get done with projects, they just get handled slower. I admire you for still being able to drive in a race. I drag raced a lot back in my younger years, but my reflexes are slowing down so I now have trouble with the lights. Do it for fun but not competitively. If I ever get through with this Nova I’ve got a Studebaker GT Hawk that I MIGHT last long enough to finish, but Kaiser Traveler and Desoto Coronado will likely be the problem of my heirs and assigns!
Sounds like 140,000.00 might be a bit of a stretch for this “restoration”.
Those 454 blocks are a dime a dozen, so to speak as MOST of them are just old truck motors bored to 468……….GOOD LUCK on the sale.
Love this Nova!!
Nice color and a very healthy powertrain!!
$140,000???? I doubt it…no way possible, if that’s the case I sent it through Barrett-Jackson
My brother has a body shop and he specializes in GM F-bodies. A show level paint job is easy $20k, with little to no body work needed. I can’t believe the cost of materials. A gallon of base coat is over $1k, and that’s before you buy the clear. My bother can easily spend 200 hrs or more on a restoration and at a shop rate of $150/hr, it adds up. The TKX trans in this Nova is about $6k alone. Nut and bolt, rotisserie restorations are not cheap.
gotta agree with Cooter and others…I know cubes are king but pretty fond of L78s!
Really great info Russ and BFers! This car looks great , color, interior, stance, etc. Back in my day when you smoked a motor half the time you found another. We / I never thought about #s matching, just getting the most HP for our dollar.
I do prefer all original car just like they came off the assembly line but, sometimes we just didn’t have the foresight.
500 + HP and it’s still ugly as HELL.Chevrolet never made a good looking Nova.
What does an engine under the hood have to do with making a car “Ugly” or not ? I really don’t understand your philosophy here, not one bit, especially when you say Chevrolet never made a good looking Nova, i totally disagree, Chevrolet definitely not my favorite brand of vehicles, But the 68-72 Nova was one good looking car, Chevrolet sold millions of them ! They did pretty good for being an “Ugly” car.
Don’t know if you noticed Torino, but different people have different opinions! What makes you think your opinion is better than somebody else’s?
I guess some folks might say they never made a good looking Nova, but that doesn’t really make sense when GM sold so many. Does the Ford Falcon of the late 60s even compare in the styling to the same Nova? I don’t think so. If you disagree, that’s fine. Just remember everyone has rights in this country…including the right to my opinion! LOL!!!
’68-72 are my favorite years of Nova. I would love to own this car but fon,xt have that big of a pole of money for it!!!!!
With around 550hp that’s 427 yenko territory and for alot less money…one of those just sold at Mecum for $775,000
Depending on the level of restoration that you do, the dollars can add up real fast. I found that out with a 5 year restoration of a 1969 SS Camaro. Including what I paid for the car itself, I have approximately $120K invested, and it didn’t need exterior paint. Also, 80% of the work was done by myself and several buddies, in my garage. I never would have guessed it would cost that much! But I now have a beautiful car that’s better than new.
Imagine the cheddar you would have dropped, if you had to pay someone to do all that work. I’ve done many resto’s in my day and I’m here to tell you, it ain’t cheap, especially if the car is all rotted out.
When I was about 19 My Uncles friend drove one just like this in a ditch and bent the frontend high in the air. I bought it and parted it out. I wish I had it today, I’d see if a frame shop could fix it. They were cheaper back then, people just went out and bought another car.
Ended at $42,201.
Reserve Not Met.
53 bids.