It’s funny how the Chevy II was considered a small car when it first came on the market in 1962, and while it by no means looks gargantuan, compared to many modern sedans branded as mid-size or even somewhat large by today’s standards the dimensions don’t seem all that far off. This Chevrolet is also from a fun period when automakers considered ragtop availability important for many of their offerings, so if you’ve been on the hunt for a first-year Chevy II and enjoy open-air driving this one here on eBay is probably worth checking out. The convertible is in Youngstown, Ohio, with bidding up to $6,300 at the moment, and with no reserve the most optimistic competitor will be taking it home.
The seller describes the car as a 20-footer, a term my late dear old dad used a few times decades ago when I had my eyes on a jalopy, and I have to agree that from a distance this one looks pretty good. But the seller is upfront in telling us his Chevy could use a new paint job and also mentions some minor surface rust is present, although he also follows up by saying the panels are all solid steel, with a magnet able to adhere anywhere it’s placed on metal areas, so hopefully there’s never been any body filler used outside.
The engine photos are all from up-close in the ad and cropped unusually, so we don’t get to see a shot of the entire engine, but it’s an inline 6-cylinder paired with an automatic transmission, with the owner comparing the combo as running and shifting like a fine watch. No word on whether or not either component has ever gotten a rebuild, but the mileage of 77,000 is said to be original and the motor isn’t smoking, so maybe there’s still plenty of healthy life left for the future owner to enjoy.
Not one picture taken from inside the car is included, so I had to crop this one up close and we still can’t see very many details, although from what I can tell the interior appears to be OK overall plus that’s a new top, so the canvas should be good for many years to come. The seller mentions that a couple of small patches have been installed on the floor but says the frame is solid, and my impression is this one’s probably a fairly decent weekend driver as it sits. What do you think?
Nice car here. One of the cleanest designs GM ever put on the road.
Cracked exhaust manifold at the connection flange.
A popular platform to restomod, although it is one of GM’s early unibody cars. There are aftermarket front subframes available for these that are both lighter and stiffer than the stock subframe for not too much money. I would seriously consider adding subframe connectors to further stiffen the body before upgrading the power in the engine room, along with better brakes and some suspension improvements to keep the car pointed in the intended direction when you put the hammer down.
Well, I’m impressed with the seller’s transparency. He could have easily said ‘ a ten footer ‘.
It looks like a really straight forward kind of car. If I wanted a vehicle like this Nova, this would be the one!
Yes, the manifold is cracked and the top is a little wrinkled, but overall I like it! The top might straighten out over time?
Changing the top alone wasn’t cheap? Looks like a new alternator also.
And no reserve, a serious seller I assume.
Anyway, I’m convinced he didn’t just pull it out of a haystack somewhere.
A rare occasion, but I even believe the milage.
I would just repaint it an drive it with pride!
Good luck to the next happy owner!
Just my oponion!
I Think the picture of the alternator is emphasizing that an update had been done to the electrical system.
A 1962 would have been equipped with a generator unless it had factory air conditioning in which case it would be equipped with a 42-amp Delcotron alternator.
@Dean,
You are right about the alternator.
I actually forgot that tidbit.
I remember alternators came out around 1964 or so on the full size cars? Not sure about this one?
It has been upgraded, I assume?
That is ok with me though.
About the ole magnet trick. I can’t help but believe this car doesn’t have some filler somewhere?
I mean, the floor pans have been patched. Someone has been patching?
With this old paint job, I believe you could detect very much filler if it had previously been really mudded over.
It’s the new paint jobs that you have to be skeptical of?
Some of these mud dobbers are like a scupturalist. Wow!
If the Bondo isn’t too thick and you have a strong magnet, it will stick to the metal somewhat anyway.
It’s really hard to detect in some cases.
The seller seems to be aware of this kind of magical trick, so a person could assume any answer they choose without seeing it in person?
I think overall it’s still a pretty solid car.
Just my oponion!
I believe to get top dollar for this, the auto should really have a complete restoration as with all autos for sale.
The seller mentioned a magnet… I know people will mix bondo with machining shavings to address that. Always inspect panels from the inside if possible.
The only six available that year was the 120 horsepower 194 six in its debut year. Otherwise, you could get the rather unpopular 153 four banger with a whopping 90 horsepower. At least it’s five up from the Falcon 144 six.
I have a twin to this 62 Nova.Owned it 40 years.I put in a 65 V8 driveline it.All NOS GM mouldings and trim came with it when I got in 82.
I see no need to change the drivetrain, I would drive this car with pride just the way it is. I’d drop the hammer on this far sooner than on that goofy Gremlin convertible. Many decades ago I owned a 64 with the 194 but with 3 speed column shifted manual transmission. Got good gas mileage and was easy to drive even for my first wife who was only 4’11” tall but with gigantic DD boobs. Anyway, I like tis car and so far the bidding hasn’t gone crazy at less than $10 grand when I looked a few minutes ago.
God Bless America
Looks like a 15 footer to me but of course some of my cars have been 30 footers at night in the rain
its a 64
I had a 63 Nova wagon. Regretfully sold it one day and have been looking for another good one ever since. Mostly outta my price range.
This rag appears to be priced right and have potential. I’d just clean it up cosmetically and mechanically and runner. No need to butcher it up.
Chevy Engine Red was going strong in 1962, the blue paint on the block tells me this has had an engine swap from something 1977-early ’80s which was the short reign of GM Corporate Blue. (They went to black paint for iron-block engines after that).
I love these little cars. They are a pleasure to drive. I was given a 63 hardtop decades ago. Mine has about the same mileage and runs superb. my car was equipped with factory ac and ps and is quite adequate. Mine began as a demonstrator when the one owner before me purchased it a six months old. Cars were strangely ordered then as mine has the ac, ps. The car has multi leaf rear springs with the pumpkin type rear, padded dash, ” which is shot” a tachometer, light dimmer, tissue box. The car still rides on 13″ wheels with its original covers. The car has a chrome rocker cover for all that performance, ha, ha, yet has a factory radio delete and never had an antenna. I know little about these as most were race cars. this unit will make someone very happy if they aren’t looking for a missile
My advice…drive and enjoy and leave it be.
SOLD for $10,250.