The Chevy Nova was a popular compact car, with an incredible run from 1962 to 1979. The final generation arrived in 1975, the last with rear-wheel-drive, and was replaced by the front-wheel-drive Citation in 1980. This ’77 edition looks solid, though its second owner indicates there are some issues with the paint (that don’t jump out in the photos). Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, this well-maintained vehicle with lots of new parts is available here on craigslist for $14,950. We wouldn’t get great tips like this without Rocco B.!
Chevrolet’s decision to replace the Nova with the Citation was not due to a lack of buyers. It was a reflection of the changing times, and the design of the Citation was thought to be better and more fuel- efficient. Having had both a 1970 Nova and a 1980 Citation, I can say I much preferred the former car. I bought the Citation used in 1981 and took it back the next day for a refund when I discovered the floors were wet after a rainstorm. I also owned a 1977 Pontiac Phoenix, which was a rebadged Nova, and found it to be a good car, though a bit anemic with a V6 engine.
The seller’s Nova has a 305 cubic inch V8, the middle engine choice that year (the others were the 250 I-6 and the 350 V8). Rated at 145 hp, we wonder if this one puts out a bit more in performance given the trouble someone went to in blinging it up. It’s a solid-looking car with a number of new parts that suggest it may have been dormant for a while. Those goodies include new shocks, tires, exhaust, gas tank, fuel pump, and more. And the mileage is somewhat scant at just 54,000.
With a set of flashy Rally wheels, the Nova looks sharp, indicating that brown is not always a dull color. It’s offset by a tan vinyl top and matching interior. Oddly, in the photos provided, the car has more than one steering wheel, making you wonder why. It’s a two-one-car photographed at a gas station with no license plate in some (but not all) of the pics, so is this a dealer sale? Whatever the case, does a last- generation Nova offer some excitement for you at the seller’s price?
I noticed that there is two different pictures in the craigslist add showing the Nova dash/ instrument cluster and the other is of a 1981 corvette notice the key tag writing other than that is is a clean v8 Nova.
Yes. Fake pictures. Craigslist. Not a good combination.
The guy may have more than one car and just loaded an extra pic……sheesh.
A compact economy car with an optional 350 V8. Always makes me shake my head.
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Reminds me of my Grandma’s. Same colors but with a Landau roof, buckets and floor shifter,and the 350. She could never understand why it needed rear tires so often.
This would have been a garden variety 2 door compact back in the day. Custom cloth interior with a vinyl top and rallye wheels still looks good. The 305 gave a measure of performance without a great sacrifice in fuel economy. Someone appears to have taken care of a basic car. Clean that dingy seat and enjoy an attractive ride.
It would seem that pics 5 & 7 were taken @ a different time than those of 19 & 20. How do you account for this?
How is it you know this? Curious what I’m missing.
Back in the ’80s these were considered “wrong year” Novas. ’68 to ’72 were the only ones worth restoring/rodding. It was unusual to see that anyone put in the effort to work with anything later. Times have changed as supplies have dried up. GLWTS
CT Dave
I paid $4,200.00 for a new 1977 Nova in June of 1977. I ordered it from the factory. It was even more basic than this car. I had the 305 V-8, decent power and averaged 20-21mpg on the highway. Mine was dark blue, no vinyl top, basic plaid interior, auto, no a/c, and no radio. I put in a aftermarket am/fm/8 track in dash player. Any Nova with the 305 or 350 came with standard ps and pb. I also order the optional the pop out rear windows, since I didn’t spring for a/c
huh ..NOVAS are generally Great practical Automobiles for Daily Driving, Trips, Racing, about anything ((have had 5 or 7, 62-66s, my Sister got a NEW 72 from my Dad and drove one like this for QUAKER OATS))).
This one LOoks a little tOo nice for me, yet always wanted one this Vintage for a Driver ☆ 🏁gF 2.22.☮️
Hello friend. I wanted to know what the color code of this Nova is?