These days, I am coming to grips that children demand more space in a vehicle. As I mentioned on an earlier post, I’m hunting for a clean Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 as my two-door BMWs are growing increasingly useless. I’m even becoming resigned to the fact that I’ll need a daily-driver station wagon soon! This custom 1963 Chevy Nova wagon here on eBay is another take on creating much needed space in a classic, even if it’s proportionally-challenged.
I did a quick search for this type of Nova conversion and it seems the idea of a custom, two-door Nova wagon isn’t entirely novel. However, this example pushes that conversion a bit further, and I wonder if we can consider it a proper “shorty” conversion. It doesn’t look as goofy as some of the others I’ve seen, but it definitely strikes me as a foot or two too short in the pictures. Plenty of space for your gear out back, however.
The seller says he’s only seen a few of these three-door wagons made, and the back window is electrically-operated. Depending on the roof height, that rear door may be perfect for loading a small-ish motorcycle or at least a coupe of paddock scooters. Surfboards, kayaks, skis – they could all find a home back there. But something tells me this custom Nova is going to cruise to car shows, not a dock or a ski lodge.
Inside, a clean cockpit awaits with custom door panels and seat covers hiding the original upholstery. The seller claims the A/C in inoperable and the engine remains the matching 230 mill. The $9,500 Buy-It-Now isn’t terrible, but I’d say a tick lower seems more than fair, especially considering the custom nature of the work and unknown quality. One thing’s for sure: you’ll be the only one on your block with a Nova wagon like this.
Drop gate? Those look like hinges. Thinking a couple hefty guys would have the front wheels off the ground with that long rear overhang. Ah… maybe not. But it does kind of mess with the proportions.
Back window electrically operated. Not the tailgate.
Waste of a 1963 station wagon.
Correction: it was a classic, now it’s a sad joke of a car.
If that rear axle was about 6 inches further back it wouldn’t be such a bad looking case of watch me with this Sawzall.
I agree, but I think more like a foot or so back. Other than that I like it.
Looks like more of a case of hold my beer & watch me with the sawzall.
Somebody wasn’t listening during the “Just Say No” campaign.
Someone thought this was a good idea?
The depth and breadth of human stupidity knows no boundary.
I think that 6 cyl. might pull a wheelie.
Mike
Shortening 4 doors had its moment in the late-70’s and early-80’s, then went away, with good reason. As mentioned above the proportions are way off. I’ve seen a few Nova station wagons turned into 2 doors, but retaining the original wheelbase. That’s a much cleaner look, but needed more work and a higher level of fabrication skills, mainly associated with modifying the doors.
I’d pass on this one, it’s an oddity for sure, but the quality of work on these shortened cars often left a lot to be desired. It’s wise to remember this is a car that was once cut in half and spliced back together. I don’t think I’d want to ride around in something like that. These were after all unibody cars with a bolt on front frame rails and suspension.
Steve R
I agree, these proportions are terrible. The “right” way to Nomad-ize it would be to remove the doors, source a pair of (longer) 2-door sedan doors, cut and move the b-pillar back to fit, then cut down the original rear doors and weld them in to fit the remaining gap. It’s considerable work, but honestly easier than cutting out an entire section of the car, and the results are much more appealing.
I’ve seen some two-door wagons made by simply welding up the rear doors, but the fronts then look too short.
I’ve never been inclined to own anything for which “clown car” is the first descriptor that comes to mind. But…if you had a blown V8 standing up through the hood, tubbed rear-end and some wheelie bars, it might help with the overall look.
It is too bad that Ringling Brothers went out of business.
The side profile ALMOST looks like a Opel Kadett wagon from a few years later. Same family of design, of course. That original 6 banger powerplant would be huffing and puffing if the underdash AC was operational. Interesting period accessory but a waste of a nice Nova wagon. Liked them then, built a cool AMT model of one when I was a kid with flocking for the interior and a towing receiver out back for a boat.
Definitely not the “original upholstery” on those front seats which look like they came from a Vega or Camaro circa 71-76. I too built a Nova model kit, not a shorty but a top fuel gasser 2dr out of the box with the rear wheel arch at the back of the doors. Still looked more streetable than this! LOL
Why? Possibly too much free time on your hands?
right idea, poor execution, still save-able.
Remove rear 1/4s, move rear axel back,
replace w/same wheel opening/reapplied 1/4s?
Clown car only a clown would want to be seen in.
I just noticed this showed back up for sale at a $4450 higher price!!! WOW!
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d/1963-chevy-ii-custom-shorty/6754250119.html
I worked at a body shop after HS in the late 70’s. Dad sold a 62 Nova wagon we had to a guy I worked with. We had put a 250 6cyl. in place of the 194. This guy made a 2dr wagon out of it by grafting the front and rear doors together. Put a small block in it. I didn’t care for it much, however it looked way better than this one…..
P.S., Steve if you’re reading this send me a PM