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Garaged Runner: 1966 Chevy II Nova Wagon

1966 Chevy Nova Station Wagon

This 1966 Chevy II / Nova station wagon here on craigslist was recently started and driven for the first time in 12 years with no issues and has been garaged for the last three decades. Located in the picturesque town of Chatham on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, this Nova looks like an awesome survivor with straight panels, matching paint and good chrome. It may not have the performance of the SS, but the $4,500 price-tag seems like a fair ask for such an honest example. 

1966 Chevy Nova Wagon

The seller says the only real negative is the interior, as the front seat will need to be reupholstered. The chrome does appear in good nick in this photo, and the parking stickers make me wonder if this Nova was a common sight at local town beaches in the summer. There are lots of vintage vehicles on Cape Cod that enjoy a nice retirement as classy beach cruisers, so it wouldn’t surprise me to learn this Nova has had an easy life for the last few years. I’m also curious if it was assembled at GM’s Framingham, Mass. facility, which was one of the few located in New England.

1966 Chevy Nova Back Seat

The rear bench sports a distinctive pattern, and the lone visible door panel is an attractive cream color. This is a nice combination with the fern green exterior that looks like it could regain some shine with an orbital buffer in hand. According to the listing, the dashboard is also in good shape and the windows work. Rust is contained to two spots: the left rear quarter panel and the spare tire well. While you’ll want to get it fixed sooner than later, you can still drive this Nova without fear of the body succumbing to corrosion. The 3.8L inline six is said to run well, as does the Powerglide automatic transmission.

nova2

While Cape Cod doesn’t usually experience harsh winters, they still salt and sand the roads when storms come through. This Nova has to have been either kept off the roadways or is simply a well cared for example that got washed off regularly in the wintertime.  I hope it remains a plain-jane survivor and doesn’t get hopped up to become an SS clone. But that’s just me – how would you use this vintage Nova wagon?

Comments

  1. Avatar Birdman

    Totally a driver…as is…do some servicing to the Powerglide, change the fluids,etc…maybe some seat covers to save what’s there…and drive it…I really like this one…with the 6 in it, it wouldn’t be too crazy on gas…I really like it…

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Howard A Member

    Years ago, these were $100 dollar cars, we’d trash in the winter while our good car was hibernating, and junk it in spring. ( if it made it that far) The fact that one remains here, I suppose justifies the asking price. Just a basic, cheap family mover.( usually “mom’s” car) This one will need lots of work ( that we can’t see) but still a great “fix as you go” car. Pretty neat find.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar TLouisJ

    Back in the late 60’s I had a pal who owned a ’66/’67 Nova 2 door wagon built in Canada. Never seen one before or since. :-) TLouisJ

    Like 0
    • Avatar Al8apex

      It was not made by GM

      Like 0
  4. Avatar RayT

    Sorry, Jeff, but every time I see a Chevy II I go into full “built 350, 4-speed, disc brakes, stiffened suspension” mode. Like the GEICO ads say, “it’s what I do.”

    Fortunately, that’s mostly a matter of unbolt, remove, install new, fasten. I wouldn’t change the body — except for paint — and interior — new upholstery — so anyone who wanted to go back to the Six and P-glide would have it pretty easy.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar dave

    I’ll stuff a 409 in it.
    WOWIE!!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar John

    This is a nice driver – at Baker’s Hardware on the Cape. I’ve been driving by for years.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Rick

    If this was in my neighborhood I’d snap it up, neat car. Just drive it the way it is. Or throw a 327/350 horse & 4 speed into it and turn it into an L-79 wagon. Funny how GM used the taillights off of the sedan on the wagon but had to put those funny trim pieces underneath. Typically wagons have to have their own taillights because sedan ones wont fit due to the tailgate.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar pappy2d

    Buff the paint, matching color 15 inch rally wheels, with cop center caps, and some and some BFG radial TA’s. Drive it.
    Oh, and a glass pack.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mark

      My thought’s are the same about the rally wheels!!

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Carl W French

    Buff the paint and drive it. I love this body style.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Graham Lloyd

    Leave it alone and drive it. Nice to see it in its original condition. Good price too.

    Unfortunately, its fate is probably to be turned into “something different” Yet another ho hum cookie cutter hot rod. Tweed, billet and whatever else is the fashion of the moment.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar G.W.Gilmore

    Put white wall tires on it. Fix the seat. Buff out the paint and call it good. Drive it just like it would be. And have a smile on my face the whole time while I was using it for my daily driver

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Kenn Dominczak

    Would like to know is this still for sale, and what is your asking price? Will you call or text me your response? My cell phone is (716)479-4910. I live in Buffalo, New York.

    Like 0

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