The Chevy II/Nova was a long-running compact in the Chevrolet line-up (1962 through 1979). It was a “conventional” rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a water-cooled engine in the front (unlike the Chevy Corvair). The car was redesigned for the final time in 1975 and continued to sell well before turning over its position to the front-wheel-drive Citation. This 1976 Nova is the Concours edition, a luxury compact like the Ford Granada and other competitors of the era. It looks to be in decent shape and is available here on craigslist for a reasonable $3,300 OBO. It’s located in Dayton, Washington. Hats off to Matt H. for this daily driver tip!
Chevrolet promoted the 1975 Nova as the most-changed car in their portfolio, so the ’76 Nova was little changed. Overall sales were still great at 334,700 units and the Concours as a 4-door sedan with a V8 engine accounted for nearly 20,400 units. The Concours was a new name for the previous Nova LN, and it was the fanciest Nova in its 15 years. All sorts of upgrades in trim were noted and the cars had more bling than the standard Nova sedans and hatchbacks. A 305 cubic inch V8 (140 hp) was the first move up from the standard 6-banger and that’s what’s in the seller’s car.
Not much of the history of this ’76 Nova is revealed. The odometer reads nearly 76,000 miles and the overall condition of the automobile suggests that’s spot-on. The seller says the Chevy runs, drives, and works but doesn’t add adjectives like “good” or “well”. No needed mechanical work is mentioned, so we have to assume it’s a turn-key ride.
The seller uses a scale of 1 to 10 to rate the exterior and interior. The body/paint/vinyl top is rated at a “6” though it looks nicer than that. The plastic body piece around the passenger side headlight is missing and could probably be found at a junkyard, though the color won’t match. The interior is also given a “6” because the seats and carpeting need a good detailing, though things look okay in the photos. Given what $3,300 will get you these days, this sounds like a reasonable buy.
Those seats are probably some of the softest you’ll ever sit in
It’s not in Concours condition but it’s ok.
Pretty nice shape for a reasonable price if it doesn’t need much. A good cleaning, fix what’s needed, enjoy on weekends.
Lovely looking car. Although I was *way* too young at the time to drive a car, let alone much else, I remember cars like this Chevy Nova. If only more pictures of this car were posted. I would love to have seen the grille, the engine, more of the exterior.
In drivers ed at High School back in Fall 1977 this is the car they used except not with a V-8. The one we tested in was Burgundy with a burgundy interior.
Maybe put on a set of period correct rallye wheels, give it a good clean and then enjoy it.
Guess the seller has not been an auto junkyard recently. Cars of this age are long gone unless you find an old junkyard somewhere back in the country side hidden away.