The Chevy Nova enjoyed a long run on its rear-wheel-drive platform. From 1962 to 1979, it was probably the best-selling compact car of its era. This 1978 edition may have things that will turn off some buyers, such as four doors and brown paint. But it seems like a survivor-quality vehicle that, at a minimum, will need some brake work. Located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the potential daily driver is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,000.
The last generation of the RWD Chevy Nova was built from 1975 to 1979. The engineering and looks didn’t change a lot, and sales remained high. But the powers-that-be cancelled the car in favor of the 1980 Citation with FWD. That automobile turned out to be a disappointment and didn’t go past a single generation. Chevy was still using an inline-6 in the Nova by 1978, so when the seller says it has a 6-cylinder, he/she may have mistaken it for a small-block V8.
If you ask the seller, he/she will admit having no mechanical or car guy skills. So, the chances are this party won’t have any history with this Chevy. The car has 114,000 miles, which is more than reasonable for a 48-year-old automobile. Whatever engine lies beneath the hood is supported by an automatic transmission, probably a Turbo-Hydramatic because the Powerglide had become just a memory a few years earlier.
We’re told the condition of the vehicle is “fair” overall. Perhaps the body and UPS-like brown paint are okay, but the seats have some brown duct tape covering up some flaws. You won’t be able to drive this car home because the brakes are soft. Considering this is a basic old car, is the seller’s asking price in the appropriate territory? Head up to “Lothar… of the Hill People” for the tip.
Looks like a V8 to me.Maybe the seller thinks it has
a V6.I don’t recall these coming with a V6.
My sister had an older Nova with a straight six,& it was
a good driver – basic transportation.
$6000 is still too much.
3 engine’s available in 1978. None of them worth anything. A four door Nova, bench seat, auto on the column, for $6,000. Way too much!
Sold. It was someone’s dream car. I like 4-door disco Novas myself but for six grand I’d have held out for perfection which this isn’t quite up to.
somebody loved it for 6k with a seat that looked like it was a dog’s chew toy. they got lucky
The ubiquitous Chevy Nova. Looks solid. With a V8, steering, brakes and automatic you were rolling deep. Another survivor Delco AM radio. Jackpot?
Lovely looking car. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember this car. A friend of my late father had a Chevy Nova, it looked just like this, except hers was Blue. I can’t remember what shade of Blue it was, I was 10 yrs. old at the time after all. Nor can I remember what powered the car. It might have had a V8 engine powering the bad boy, or it might have been a straight six engine. I can’t remember.
I had one of these in 1989. A total grama car. Blacked out the windows, Chevy rallies and a couple antennas on trunk. A nice 305. Perfect car for my wife to haul our 2 under 5 yr old boys in to the grocery store. Big trunk and easy to get in and out of.
Kinda had that Narc car vibe.
Would make a great street sleeper, ala Charlie Brown.
The ad is completely removed from FB Marketplace. Typically, when an item is sold, it will say SOLD. In this case, it could have been sold, but it also could have been removed by the seller or had an expiration date.
78 could still get you the 350 4 barrel and by the looks of that air cleaner, that would be my guess.
I started my police career in 1980, and my department had a lot of 77 Novas. 350 4 barrel, and police package suspension made for a ride that was immediately responsive and fast, and took curves and corners with ease. Of course us young guys enjoyed driving ’em. Mechanically, they were solid, but interior parts started breaking down only a year or so later… seat springs collapsing, door handles coming off, and so forth. One night when I got in and tried to close the door, the handle and entire door card came off in my hand!
Would love to find a 77 or 78 with a 3-speed column shifter, plaid interior and an am/fm delco radio.