The popular Chevy Nova compact was redesigned for the final time in 1975. That would be the beginning of the end of the rear-wheel-drive automobile that would be replaced in 1980 by the front-wheel-drive Citation (which would prove to be a lesser car). This nice example from 1975 may only have 41,000 and looks like a survivor-quality automobile, though it wears an older repaint. But don’t expect to win any traffic lights drag races as this Nova has an inline-6 under the hood for better fuel economy.
Sales of the 1975-79 Chevy remained strong thanks to not one, but two, spikes in fuel prices resulting from the OPEC oil embargo during the decade. Nearly 273,000 Novas rolled off the assembly line in ’75, about half being 2-door sedans like the seller’s vehicle. Besides the six-banger, this nice example has a TH-350 automatic transmission and power steering (but the brakes are manual, so press hard on the pedal!).
Other GM divisions continued to copy the Nova, with the Pontiac Ventura/Phoenix being the most successful. The restyle of 1975 changed the looks of the car, but not enough to make it no longer resemble the successful iterations from 1968 to 1974. Because a dealer is involved in the sale of this Chevy, no history of the car is offered so we must assume it stayed in the garage a lot to have accumulated so few miles.
The interior is typical of the 1970s with the striped pattern for the upholstery, which seems to present well though the photos are restrictive. If you are looking for a basic Nova that could serve as a daily driver and might not need much, this one is available in Salem, Virginia, and here on eBay where $4,859 has yet to beat the seller’s reserve.
I got my license in one of these in 78, it had a 305 2 barrel, and I’m not so sure it would’ve outrun this 6 banger at the redlight! It sounded cool when you flipped the air cleaner lid but that was about it!
Are there people out there that would actually drive this daily ?
Almost 50 yr old car would stick out like the Delorean in -1955.
But I guess the question has been asked .
My buddy drove one daily in 1990 by that was 34 yrs ago
I would, its really all I need in a car. its a good size, reliable and easy to work on. I dont need power mirrors or windows, heated steering wheel or xenon headlight bulbs, etc. If it runs ,moves, and stops I’d be happy with it !
I had one with the 305 back in the late 80s I sold it for the money to pay rent. It was the last decent Chevrolet I ever owned
Honestly, I’ve seen many SS’s that look pretty good!
I would have no problem with this as a daily driver. This is actually newer than all the cars I have used as a “daily”. Right now I have a 73 Ford F-100 short box, 302 3 speed on the column, it has factory A/C and radio. It is probably the newest car I have used this way. Have had many 50’s and 40’s and a few even from the 30’s. I will admit I am 81 years old and I may have to give up. Anyone who has done this knows ,it takes a real commitment and sometimes a lot of patience and work. I may sell the 73 and buy a 2000 or newer driver, maybe an old ladies 4 door sedan low miles, A/C, radio and cheap. That will leave me with my trusted 34 Ford Coupe that I bought in 1965, it was a daily driver for many of those 60 + years. Now it can be a weekend warrior.
The pattern cloth meant GM didn’t put any stitching in it. Looks snazzy in fabric but like a taxi cab with the vinyl. Just a way of recognizing the hierarchy of trim levels. Rallye/SS stripes look sporty with the painted roof.
I guess some people are just “hoity toity” & would never drive anything less than the top of the line cars daily & look down on those who didn’t. I had a ’62 Imperial Southampton (= 4 Dr) for 22 years, (Not New) & all the advertising that year was for Doctors, Attorneys, & Bankers. I have those ads framed to sell, if I could ever find anyone who wants them. That car was sold & I started collecting Pontiacs AND left California to get away from fake “hoity toity” people! I lub me some Pontiacs……
“Press hard on brake pedal” – how ironic if this was a late ’60s nova with power 4 wheel drum brakes, you might go through the windshield pressing hard on the brake pedal ! lol
Unlike on a ’60s version, that big restrictive pellet cat conv & heavy 5 mph bumpers are only making acceleration much worse, not to mention the “driveabililty” of a mid ’70s emissions carb.
A younger car thief would not be happy to find out this has no power windows or a/c or p/b, tho he would be shocked with the effortless p/s, compared to always “fighting with” the rack & pinion steering on modern vehicles. & his friends might be angry that it does not have 4 doors for them.
Yeah, those power drum brakes could really stop. Wheel lock up was so much a thing back then. You almost never here a locked tire before the crash anymore.
One thing that often gets overlooked is the fact that the front suspension was re-engineered to a front steer set up. A step up from the previous rear-steer set-up that dated back to the 60’s……..if not earlier. It’s a much easier system to work on, better steering, and probably easier on the tires.
Ended at $8.,700.
Reserve Not Met.
I’m surprised that the production #s link above says they made 1,274 1968 novas with the 325-hp 327 (L79)!
If not a typo, wouldn’t they be faster than a ’68 nova ss 350(with same options/trans/rear)?