If a low-mile and original survivor is the focus of your classic search, it is hard to ignore this 1972 Chevrolet Nova. From its sparkling paint to its lack of rust and the odometer reading of 44,000 miles, it ticks a lot of the right boxes. Potential buyers can consider it as a turnkey proposition. Adding to its appeal is the seller’s willingness to negotiate on their price. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mike F. for spotting the Nova listed here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado. It could be yours for $20,000, although a skilled negotiator might be able to drop that figure.
Chevrolet walked a conservative path with the 1972 Nova, making only minor cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the previous model year. The company was biding its time, with a radical update scheduled for 1973. The first owner ordered our feature Sedan in Mediterranean Blue, and its presentation is mighty impressive. The seller doesn’t mention a restoration history, emphasizing this classic’s originality. If this is a genuine survivor as the listing suggests, its condition is particularly noteworthy. There is no evidence of paint deterioration, and if there are chips or scratches, they are too minor to show in the supplied photos. I can’t spot any panel defects, and life in a favorable climate has left the Nova rust-free. The trim appears close to perfect, and the glass is clear. Overall, this Nova carries the hallmarks of a car that has been treated respectfully since Day One.
The hearts of some readers will sink when we lift the Nova’s hood to reveal the entry-level 250ci six. The first owner teamed this engine with a two-speed Powerglide and power steering for an effortless driving experience. With 110hp and 185 ft/lbs of torque, the performance of this classic that tips the scales at around 3,000 lbs will best be classed as adequate. A V8 would make an enormous difference, a prospect that some potential buyers may find irresistible. However, for those preferring originality, the spotless engine bay, odometer reading of 44,000 genuine miles, and the fact that this gem is a turnkey proposition may prompt them to preserve this classic as-is.
I’ve talked in previous articles about how much a classic can reveal about its life courtesy of its interior. Therefore, this Nova is consistent, with the inside as impressively clean as the exterior. The Blue cloth and vinyl are free from genuine wear, the dash and pad are excellent, and the plastic is remarkable. The seller mentions a new carpet set that they seem to suggest needs installing, but the spotless state of the carpet in the supplied photos leads me to believe that the work is already done. There is also an updated radio included, but I’d leave that on the shelf to protect the car’s survivor status.
Okay, I probably should address what some readers will consider to be the elephant in the room with this 1972 Chevrolet Nova. It has four doors, making it traditionally not as desirable as the Coupe variant. The mechanical specifications mean that its performance will be adequate, not neck-snapping. However, it is one of the cleanest and most unmolested Novas of this vintage that we have recently seen at Barn Finds. That makes it worth significantly more than a passing glance. Do you agree?
Thanks Clarkey a true sightseers favorite w the 6cyl and 2sp Glide.
Wouldrather see a “three on the tree” than that Powerglide.Awesome start to an SS tribute car!!
Not every Nova has to be an SS or SS clone with a monster engine (swapped) under the hood. There’s plenty of fun and enjoyment to be had with a relatively low-spec grocery-getter like this.
Just what I came here to say!
Exactly…and 4 doors rule!!!
I don’t buy the mileage, unless backed up by some form of documentation. The seats have been reupholstered and there is a good chance it’s been repainted. The price would be agressive with this engine/transmission combination even if it were a 2dr and the claims of originality were documented. It looks like a nice car, but not anywhere close to the asking price.
Steve R
20K? Good luck with that, 3K more like it
Time flies, so I would think it’s 7-8 years ago that a lady at the office wanted to get rid of a Nova just like this. It had been left behind in her garage by a former boyfriend who had moved to CA. Same 4-dr, same color, same base specs. She had just wanted to see it gone, but I think I got her $3500 from a guy from NC. It was nice enough to roll around in, but if you are to occupy a spot in your garage don’t you want something that’s a little bit more fun?
That definitely is not the original upholstery. They didn’t use that type of material during that era.
This is one clean Nova sedan irregardless if the interior or paint is original or not. I looked up the ’72 Nova brochure last night and they did offer a combination vinyl and cloth upholstery, but nothing like this. That being said, they look very comfortable. I might add whitewalls on it, but other than that, the 250 and Powerglide will basically keep up with traffic ( I’d stay in the slow lane).
I completely agree with what Bill D said, not every Nova has to be an SS or clone.
cool nova in great condition but it is no longer original as the interior is done in late model material. 20k a bit on the heavy side for the price but i guess you never know
Had two of these. first was same as this one. would do 80MPH in low and just over 100 in drive got over 20 mpg and had bad stopping distance with drum brakes. Bought second one. SS 4 speed 12 bolt rear, big block with vented oil pan on both sides. replaced with 400 SB. Very fun to drive but also scary, could spin tires with full throttle up to 45 MPH. Would destroy sub frame mounts until I installed frame connectors. Another one that I should have kept. This one looks like has hand controls. Price may be a little high but these are hard to find that are not all rusted out or chopped up. Drive it and have fun.
Well, here we are again. Nice straight little Nova 4-door. Clearly not everyone’s cup of tea. Nice to how many here would give it a good home instead of butchering it for some kind of clone, or should I say, tribute.
Lovely looking car. I love 4 door sedans. It’s too bad this wasn’t available in station wagon form as well. I would’ve gladly bought one.
Nice rust free car. IMHO this body style was meant to be a 2-door. The 4-door is very awkward to my eye. In Ohio these rusted quickly but were not too difficult to patch. (late 70s to mid 80s) I had a 1972 2-door 250 CID, 3 speed column shift MT. Since the only option was AM radio (no PS, PB, AC, or carpet) it was reasonably light. What we called “zero lash” on the hydraulic lifters really helped with top end rpm. Also, running without the fixed engine fan (except in mid-summer) preserved more power. That gave it enough useful rpm range allowing the 3-speed to not be a hinderance. The 4 wheel drum brakes were not adequate, as I recall they would work fine bringing it down from 80 mph, until you got to about 40 mph and they would be glowing, smoking, and doing nothing more to slow the car. The other gripe is that above 90 mph it felt like an airplane leaving the ground, way too much air moving under it, leaving the steering next to useless. It was a good fun car, but honestly I did not miss it much after we parted ways.
As a current owner of a 38,000 mile 1966 Plymouth Fury four-door, with a slant six and 3-speed torqueflite automatic transmission, I concur that these types of powertrains are not “exciting”. But they do get the job done. My car is peppy enough around town and can do 70 mph comfortably on the highway, all while achieving 6-cylinder fuel economy. And when I am driving it and looking out over the hood, I can forget that I have two extra doors behind me. Actually, when I take members of my peer group (late seventies in age) to car shows, they appreciate the convenience of four doors.
That’s what matters to me, how well it gets the job done.
Steering wheel looks like it’s from a ‘70.
Nice clean Nova though…
Good eye, Jason.