It was the beginning of the end for the muscle car. Some would say it was all over except for the clapping by the end of 1972. But by 1974, time was truly running out. The ‘Cuda, Challenger, Z28, and the GTO were all singing their swan songs. The Mustang had been Pinto sized. The times had changed, surcharged insurance premiums, Federal emission control regulations, and a crude oil embargo created a perfect storm of consequence. Chevrolet was still trying to stroke it and one of their venues was the Nova SS but unfortunately, it had been reduced to mostly an appearance package. While not seen in the wild often anymore, here is a sharp-looking 1974 Nova SS hatchback that is located in Los Angeles, California, and available here on craigslist for $11,700. It’s definitely worth a closer look. Thanks to Rocco B. for this tip!
From a performance perspective, a ’74 Nova SS could be equipped with a 185 net HP, 350 CI V8 engine coupled to a four-speed manual transmission. And that combination would lead to some sprightly performance but hardly the stuff of asphalt meltdown. The VIN indicates that this Nova originally had a 350 CI V8, two-barrel carburetor equipped engine that produced 145 net HP. None of this matters because the seller has sourced a 1970 vintage, 350 CI, 300 HP engine and has performed some modifications including header installation and an Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor swap. The seller fails to mention how this Nova performs but it’s a safe bet that it’s the difference of day and night compared with the original powerplant. Interestingly, this Nova would not have originally been equipped with a four-speed manual transmission as it wasn’t available with the “born-with” engine so that’s a very nice addition.
The exterior is in spectacular shape, the code 49 Dark Green Metallic paint is perfect for this hatchback. The seller doesn’t indicate is it’s the original shade but if it’s not, it was a great choice. The seller mentions that the decals, the stripes and Nova SS badges, are painted-on as opposed to the original stick-on decals. I’ll agree, they appear to have been beautifully crafted but I would have left them off entirely, a completely subjective observation, however. The exterior of this Nova appears to need nothing, it looks better than it did when new. A really nice inclusion are the Magnum-500 styled wheels. These were a Nova SS option in ’69 and ’70 and are a huge improvement over what passed for a Nova “rally” wheel in ’74. Of note, the SS option package was much more common on the coupe body style than it was on the hatchback. Of the 21K Nova SSs produced in ’74, about 15K were based on coupes with the remaining 5,800 or so being hatchbacks*. To put it all in perspective, Chevrolet built about 390K Novas in ’74, a pretty impressive total for a recession year.
The interior of this Chevy has a center console that is more of a consolette. It houses the auxiliary gauges and shifter while the optional tachometer is located in the instrument panel, left of the speedometer. The black vinyl interior is in excellent shape and appears to have been recently refurbished, it shows no sign of wear or age degradation. The carpet is a nylon loop variety which was last used in ’73 so that’s probably the source as opposed to the ’74s cut pile construction. They are essentially the same car so the ’73 rug will fit a ’74 without modification. Nova interiors can be pretty spartan environments but not this one, it has been well executed. The seller mentions that this Nova is equipped with Classic Auto A/C, a welcome addition!
This Nova is a reasonable buy. It’s out of the real performance years range but not by much and if you look at where the prices of ’66 to ’72 versions trade, it’s easy to see the value in this “looks like a ’74 but drives like a ’70” model. And it’s especially pertinent when you take into consideration its outstanding condition and the high-quality workmanship that has been employed. I’m giving it two thumbs up, how about you?
*Thanks to Novaresource.org for the statistics.
Geeeeeze…I absolutely love this car. Wish it had some underbody pics but one beauty of a car on the surface. It’s on the wrong coast or I’d be visiting the owner today!
I like this cat a lot – Right options, California dry, done well, priced right. Would be surprised if it is still available. On the downside, always felt claustrophobic in Nova’s, it was the way the cowl/dash/windshield header lined up for a guy used to an A-Body…
How many times do you see a good deal on Craigslist, but like this ad, no phone number? Then you send an email and never get ANY response. Living in the CA, I am looking at the background photos and wondering about these photos, which look nothing like that area at all (granted, I may be wrong, but that area is so crowded I can’t imagine it near Marina del Rey. I am not saying this ad is a scam, I don’t know, but I see the same nonsense all the time and there never is a real car, really for sale.
I bought one of these for $700 when I was 19, I’m only 33 now, and sold it 2 years later when I got orders to go overseas. I have always regretted that I didn’t at least put in a storage unit.
The most basic car storage is going to cost you at least $100 a month. In 12 years you would have spent $14,400 in storage fees, enough to buy this car!
This car looks like it could be a bargain. However, it’s odd that the engine is equipped with a short water pump and correspondent pulleys and brackets. There are some other unexpected parts selections on this car which could indicate it was thrown together for a quick sale. Hopefully not, but as always it’s up to the buyer to make sure there are no hidden surprises.
Steve R
I’m not sure about those stripes, they do break up the expanse of gorgeous deep green paint and are a nice contrasting gold color. But I would be just as happy or more happy with the application of matte black painted stripes on the hood and trunk or even shadow flames. I like the gold SS graphic on the side.
After a little further investigation, looks like this may be too good to be true. On November 7th, 2019, this vehicle sold at GAA auction for $22,500. It was lot #TH0120. Just another scam Craigslist posting unless the owner is looking to take a $10k hit.
Forgive me for being naïve, but other than a waste of the scammer’s time, how exactly is a CL scam like this supposed to work? Would somebody be so stupid as to wire money to the seller, send a check or swipe their credit card without first looking at the Nova? I’m an early proponent of both eBay and Craigslist for car sales and purchases. And never have I been blind enough to be scammed by some crook selling a car for 5 figures. Or maybe purchasers are losing their shirts more than I’m aware. Deposits that are never returned perhaps? I just have not been exposed to “scam” postings but I guess they do exist.
It’s deposit money they steal. It’s done with cars, boats, apartment rentals, etc. Usually crooks from Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
You are correct Sir… Flagged !
The apartment rental scam is big business in college towns. I lived near Vanderbilt University for a few years and would see the same “international playa” scam money from unsuspecting students looking for a deal on an studio apartment near campus. Sheesh, the world we live in….
Has anyone converted a newer big bumper Nova to a earlier small bumper version? If so, was it a huge project?
I just “tucked” front and rear bumpers on a 73 and although it turned out to be a bigger job than expected it isn’t something that anyone with average ability wouldn’t be able to handle.
The key thing is did you remove most of the horrendous WEIGHT of those bumpers? I would say at least 175 lbs total more over earlier bumpers & brackets.
Odd chevy would tool up all these changes for just 1 year!
They should have introduced the ’75 body style a year earlier, tho the ’74 looks a lot better.
Actually they should have kept the ’74 body style through the 70’s instead!
We did the opposite and put a 73 Nova front bumper on a 69 that we had as a stock car- that beefy bumper made a big difference on the short track we raced it on !
Phone number scams are a big thing, ask Jeff Bezos. Once they have your number from the craigslist ad it’ll go downhill from there. Many people do their banking and credit card work from their smart phone. I was selling my 69′ Cutlass and was surprised at the out of the country calls I would receive. One guy told me to bring the car to the port of Long Beach for shipping after he did the “wire transfer”to my bank account. I just need to give him all of my account information He was from New Zealand..
A guy at our high school had one of these, only in gold with the black stripes. His was the coupe, not hatchback. Also had the 4-speed. He also got rid of those hideous 1974 rally wheels and went with the original Chevy rally wheels. Great looking car.
I had the gauge set up in my 74 GTO. I loved the little rectangular tach.
A funny thing is that the gas gauge in the console malfunctions on these and when its full it only reads around a quarter tank, but for some reason there are 3 hash marks from empty to the 1/4 mark like they new it would happen
I’ve seen 3 of these consoles with that issue.
Mine and a 74 SS and in a 73 SS also
I want to comment on the car, but am still laughing at the phrase “Chevrolet was still trying to stroke it”.
Perhaps the author meant “stoke” instead?
My mother always used to tell me if it’s to good to be true it probably is!! I’m glad for all of you guys on here spotting this cause I’m just not that good at recognizing these scams!! So thank you one and all!!
The car itself is indeed cool but DirtyHarry nailed it, scam.
Yes , it was the end cause it looked soo bad with these ugly bumpers
I had high hopes when i read about the bumper tuck but even that doesnt help the look
A friend of mine did a tuck on a malibu
He cut everything, in pieces , it was shorter, smaller in every way
It looked good , sadly i dont have any pictures
Someone should try the same on a nova , could transform an ugly car …
Those of us in the MG Midget/MGB world have been doing that for ages on the cars British-Leyland cranked out with the mandated rubber snouts beginning with the 1975 model year. Some examples from the MG forum…
My personal favorite of a de-bumpered late Midget. Credit to the owner for posting on the forum. Thanks.
Personally I like the looks of the 73-74 Novas ! I thought the bigger bumpers gave it a more aggressive look , especially in the rear – the 68-70 rear bumpers always looked bent and pushed up to the tail lights IMHO;
Is this car still for sale on here? Thanks