If you haven’t heard of the Concours d’Lemons, this arrival of this Nova onto these pages is a perfect time to get acquainted with this august event. Celebrating the absolute worst of the automotive world – deficient engineering, wretched looks, evidence of stunningly poor management – the Concours d’Lemons has expanded to several cities and even race tracks near you. If, after spending some time grooving to the excitement of presenting an excruciatingly bad car on a manicured lawn, you are inspired to participate – well, we have just the car for you. Here on eBay is a 1977 Chevrolet Nova for sale, bid to $215.50, reserve not met. This car is located in Reelsville, Indiana. We have Larry D. to thank for leading us to this outstanding example of 1970s Malaise Era cars.
Novas of the late 1970s, like many cars of the era, revealed the struggles of American automakers as high gas prices, inflation, and increasing regulations summarily executed the automotive excitement of the 1960s. The Nova began life in that better time – 1962, specifically – as a basic compact car. Through the 1960s the Nova gradually developed into a muscle car. Today, 1960s Novas have a rabid fan base. But by the time the 1977 version rolled off the line, the car was bloated and had no identity. This car does run, drive and stop. The paint is mostly gone, and who knows what wheel covers those are. The interior could use a good housekeeper.
This Nova comes with the base motor, which was a six-cylinder 250 cu. in., paired with an automatic. In keeping with Malaise Era performance peers, the 1977 Nova could barely get out of its own way with 110 bhp. Zero to sixty was somewhere in the 13 to 14-second range. While this engine bay will not get you to Amelia Island Concours, it’s perfectly acceptable for any Concours d’Lemons.
The seller does deserve some credit for the ad’s photos. We’ve seen worse. But there’s a bridge I cannot cross here in the verbiage. The seller indicates that the car is “not to rusty (sic)”. I don’t know about you, but I think I see the lawn grass through this trunk panel. I shudder to think what “rusty” is in the vernacular apparently in use here. On the other hand, if she’s going to Lemons, this is PERFECT! And while it’s been fun bashing this year/make, the car is a driver. Someone could probably get some use out of this 95,000-mile Nova.
Let’s not get too hyper-critical here since everyone has a starting point to enter the automotive world in whatever capacity may suit. This is a perfect entry level vehicle for a “newbie” to begin exploring the world of ‘finding, building, and maintaining’ a first-timers project. For those of us who are probably past our prime, don’t forget what and where we all started with. Although the reserve, at this time, has not been met, and assuming the seller isn’t whacking off in an imaginary wet daydream, this is a perfect first-timers’ vehicle.
I think it is overbid at the 200 dollars
OVERBID???
It easily SCRAPS for my than $200!
Hey, it runs and drives. If the frame is intact, this is the kind of thing a guy could get into cheaply and practice sanding, the art of Bondo and painting. When a guy would want something else, sell it off and buy something else… if all goes well, one could make a few bucks.
I think jalopies are fun. If you can’t be seen in a clunker once in a while, I probably wouldn’t want to hang out w/ you! :)
I had a ’76 Nova hatch. Mine had the 4-speed on the floor. It was a fun, rusty car which I Bondo’d and I should have kept.
I spent years driving a car where I could see pavement through the rust holes in the floor and I turned out OK (…mostly). As a “starter” car for a collector, the rust would worry me since I’m betting it doesn’t stop at the frame, but the mechanical and cosmetic stuff seems do-able. I have a soft spot for these unloved, bland late-stage Novas in stock condition.
I had a 79. The driver side floor fell out one day while driving over railroad tracks. It’s a good thing my trunk floor was just as rusted out as this one because when it rained, the water just flowed right through the rust perforated lip of the trunk opening. Good times!
Mentioning rainwater reminded me of my father’s used ’63 Studebaker
Wagonaire, by the time we acquired it in ’69 the sliding roof had been
sealed shut with little success as every time it rained it ran down the
channel and soaked my shoulder. On the plus side it ran well and was
reliable, more so than our new Pontiac Tempest wagon.
In High school, mid 70s, my gear head buddies and I had very little money. (I still don’t! LOL) We were always wrenching on someone’s cheap clunker to keep it running. Minimum wage job was $2.65 per hour. My first car was free—-pulled it home with a chain and buddy’s pickup. Got it running and driving. Sold it. Second car cost $200, next one (67 Camaro Conv) cost $700, (wish I still had it!) next one (‘68 Firebird) cost $1000. The Firebird was a pretty nice car. Anyone can start with very little and with hard work, build into something.
Agree this could be an interesting way to start learning some restoration skills.
But…my parents bought a new 76 Nova, same engine with PS like this one.
Fun to dive level: Zero.
‘Someone could probably get some use out of this 95,000-mile Nova.’
OMG, stop it, please stop it.
Sarc tag next time, please.
Demolition derby candidate
Needs an LS to wake it up a bit.
When these Nova’s were around 5 years old, you’d see them crabbing down the road. I always wondered if the owners were scratching their heads as to why they were wearing out their left front tires.
Everyone has their own opinion. I bought a 1975 nova in 1997, restored it and still have it 25 years later . I will never get rid of it
Yes, they alway broke rear springs and would sidetrack. I almost bought one of this vintage but bought a new 85 S-10.( that was nicer but only had a 112hp V-6 that also could not get out of its own way.)
My 1st car along time ago was a 69 SS 396. 4 speed 350 HP Paid $1,200 for it off my summer job. (Boy!, do I ever wish I still had it!!) burn outs like you wouldn’t believe!!