We see plenty of classics from The Malaise Era at Barn Finds where readers suggest performing an LS transplant. The logic is sound because it would undoubtedly improve vehicle performance when that quality was severely lacking in anything rolling off showroom floors during the mid-1970s. However, there are times when I question the wisdom of that approach, and this 1975 Chevrolet Nova demonstrates that. Its mechanical specifications don’t promise excitement, but it is a spotless and unmolested survivor with 40,000 documented miles on the clock. That makes it worth preserving, and the bidding action suggests there are people with a vision either way who are willing to talk with their wallets. The Nova is listed here on eBay in Asheville, North Carolina. Bidding has raced past the reserve to $12,700 at the time of writing.
Chevrolet’s Fourth Generation Nova graced showroom floors from 1975 until 1979. Our feature car rolled off the line in the first production year, with its original owner ordering it in Skyline Blue, with a White contrasting top, Black stripes, and Rally wheels. The car has a documented history and is an unrestored survivor. The seller purchased the vehicle with grand plans to perform significant mechanical and cosmetic upgrades but feels it is worth preserving. The paint shines impressively, suggesting it has always been treated respectfully and sheltered from the worst Mother Nature could throw at it. The panels are laser-straight, with gaps that are tight and consistent. One interesting characteristic of the Fourth Generation Nova is that it was a car that carried the larger bumpers required under tighter safety regulations quite effectively. Some vehicles looked like they had railway iron bolted on either end, but Chevrolet integrated the bumpers well in the latest model. The door edge protectors have been removed but are sitting in the trunk. The remaining trim and wheels are in excellent order, and the glass is crystal clear.
The Nova’s exterior presentation makes its interior condition unsurprising. The rear parcel tray has slight damage, and the carpet has a mark, but these are the only faults worth mentioning. The multi-hue Blue cloth and vinyl seatcovers are in as-new condition, with no wear or stains. The dash and pad are spotless, as are the remaining upholstered surfaces and headliner. A set of aftermarket gauges hang below the dash and appear to be the only additions. The original owner didn’t load it with factory options, with the heater and AM radio the only nods to luxury. However, the overall condition guarantees that every journey would still feel pretty special.
Those contemplating an LS swap would point to this Nova’s engine bay as a witness for the prosecution. The original owner prioritized comfort over outright performance, teaming the 250ci six-cylinder engine with a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering. With 105hp and 185 ft/lbs of torque available under the right foot, calling the Nova’s performance modest would be considered kind. However, this isn’t a muscle car, and many Nova owners from this period would have happily lived with their vehicles in this form. Slotting in a more powerful engine would be straightforward, with the parts required available off the shelf. That must be tempting, and I understand the logic. I would opt for preservation, driven mainly by the car’s originality and odometer reading. Finding any classic with almost five decades under its belt and a claimed 40,000 original miles on the clock isn’t unprecedented. The seller holds paperwork and Service Records confirming the reading is genuine for this Nova, and that evidence makes it a whole new ballgame. I wouldn’t bear a grudge if the winning bidder proceeded with the upgrade, but I would respect them if they preserved the car in its current form. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. Flying in and driving home is a wonderful way for the winning bidder to get to know their new toy as they cruise the open roads.
Okay, it’s hypothetical time. What would be your plans if you joined the bidding party and became the new owner of this 1975 Chevrolet Nova? Would the LS swap prove irresistible, or would preservation be your aim? Regular readers know my preference for originality, although I always respect a well-executed custom build. However, if this Nova weren’t all the seller claims, I would happily accept a V8 transplant. The fact it is a documented low-mile survivor is a game changer. I hope the winning bidder continues enjoying this Nova as its creators intended and that they don’t change a thing. Do you agree?
Although I am a fan of the V8, because of the condition, this one may need to stay as is. You might have one of the few Novas that retain it’s stock I6 powertrain at, well, any event you attend.
@ Big_Fun, I agree w/ you. This is one really nice late model Nova, and the color combo is sharp (although personally, I would like it all the same exterior color)! GLWTA!! :-)
Agreed, leave it stock.
You can drive it immediately as is to the next cars and coffee and have a crowd around it remarking how they / their uncle / their mom had one.
Of course there will be remarks about throwing a V8 in it, but it ain’t their car.
I would even be tempted to remove the under dash gauges and rally wheels (if it did not come with them from the factory) to return it to bone stock.
There are plenty of other Novas to hot rod if that’s your thing.
The nice thing about an unmolested 40k mile car is that everything is 40k miles. Pull the motor, do a swap, drive and enjoy it. If you want to return it to it’s original state because having fun is too much for you, nothing prevents that.
Fun is more than horsepower.
This is a grand pap car,if your looking for a real nova you have to go back years!
Nice slice of X-car heaven. Great condition in basic trim. Pattern cloth and white roof are still very 1970s. The stripes recall later Nova Ralley decor that may not have been offered in ’75. I agree that this is fine as is.
Why is it that almost every writer and reader at Barnfinds seem to think that every car more then 20 years old needs an LS swap? The LS is a great series of engines, but not every old car ever built needs one under the hood.
I got my first “real” full time job in 1975 and was given a new 75 four door Nova LN with a 350 2 bbl as a company car. The LN (for Luxury Nova) was a one year only model with upgraded interior featuring standard bucket seats (even in the 4 door), sport suspension, and other trim features to give the Nova a BMWish feel. It didn’t sell well and was replaced a year later by the Concours Nova with crushed velvet interior, a stand up hood ornament and a lot of extra chrome trim.
LS swap is probably the most offensive thing that can ever be said in the car world…LOL..Beauty Nova..great as it is.
I would love to leave it as it is and cruise in it forever
Is anyone going to race a classic, or drive it hard?
…no? Then why the expense of an LS swap?
In-line sixes are, if anything, more rare today than V8s. And as Jeep showed, an in-line six with modern FI can offer performance close to many V8s.
I’d look to see if there’s an aftermarket (or GM-based) kit for throttle-body injection, and then just go with it. A smooth engine, a bit more power with FI, and the only work would be with the fuel lines and pump.
Very nice car. This era Nova is one of the few cars that I think looks better as a 4 door for whatever that’s worth.
I owned a 1976 Nova Concours with four doors. I ordered it with most all options except a vinyl. It was my American BMW 5 series. It was a wonderful car with a V8 engine so it had performance. It rode superbly. I loved the car so I sold it to an aunt and bought a 1978 El Camino. That is another story for another time.
I like the LS series a lot, but do something different. Leave that straight six where it sits, but get online and order up a pile of Aussiespeed parts. Intake, supercharger, four barrel or fuel injection, split exchaust, duals, etc., etc.
This is the car your aunt Betty drove… With Tupperware pieces in the trunk left over from her last party… Leave the six in there…
Again assuming this was a special ordered car ? Come on, Its a Nova, there were dozens of them at every Chevy dealership ! Two doors , Four doors , ( at one time wagons and ragtops) , different trim levels, different engines , something for anyone coming in to the dealership. I’d bet, that maybe except for some early big block Novas, that no one ever special ordered a Nova. This is a beautiful low mileage car, and its hard to find a survivor now , but at one time ,this was just another low option entry level car
I think it went both ways. High volume dealers probably had rows of them where as smaller stores had one or two. Manufacturers had plants on both sides of the country and your order could be processed in a few weeks, sometimes days. My brother worked at GM PG and ordered cars and trucks for family and friends through the PEP program. You’d receive the car with evaluation miles and a greater discount.
There is a lot that could be done to the straight six. I wouldn’t change engines unless something went wrong with it. I don’t care for the color or the vinyl top but it is what it is. The only change I would consider is adding a nice aftermarket a/c system
Just saw a 63′ Nova conv.for sale here in the retirement community for sale,I didn’t stop be because I didn’t win the lottery.
If this 250 straight six is bolted up to a THM 350. Theyre pretty much bullet proof. Id leave it as is, this is remarkably preserved and I really think it should stay this way. Id enjoy it as is, just hit the key and go and have a great time.
I would leave it as-is and just drive and enjoy.
I owned a ’77 Nova 2 door, that I special ordered. Base Nova, with 305 V8, automatic, power steering and brakes. Bench seat and radio delete. I put in an after market 8-track player. I have a lead foot and consistently got 21 mpg. I loved that car. Drove it for 13 years and 210,00 miles. The interior was shot and I didn’t want to take the time or money to replace it. Junked it for $200.00. My dad bought a special order ’77 Impala with the 305 V8, he managed 23 mpg. He bought his in March, me in June and my mom’s ’69 Impala cracked the block and she bought a ’73 Impala in September. All at the same dealership and with the same salesman.
Omg…my dad had a brand new I6 77 gold 4 door… Drove it to work at the steel Mill up in Bethlehem steel in Porter Indiana all the way up until 92 And that damn thing got nearly 200,000 mi on it before he got rid of it and bought a brand new truck. One damn tough car he beat the hell out of it It was banged up all the way around It never rusted all the way through he never washed it after about it was like 1985 on and the damn thing was still intact and running when he got rid of it