The Chevy II or Nova, as it was more commonly known, was never meant to be anything but basic transportation. It wasn’t supposed to be a show stopper, a race car, or a trend setter. Its primary goal was to be functional and thrifty, which it more than excelled at. Somehow such a humble car has been everything from a family hauler to a winning drag racer. Perhaps its multitasking abilities are a result of its simplicity or maybe it’s a result of necessity, either way a Nova can be anything its owner needs it to be. This 1966 Nova Station wagon could be used as a sedate family wagon or the 327 V8 could be upgraded to make it a mean sleeper, it all depends on the next owner’s needs. If you think you’d like to make it yours, check it out here on eBay.
Before we would haul the family in it or hit the drag strip, this wagon is going to need some attention. The seller claims it runs, drives, and stops well, but it has rust in the floors that is going to need to be addressed. Overall, the body looks to be very solid, with only a few rust spots and some dents and dings. Given its originality, we would leave the body and paint as is and focus on making it safe.
One of the reasons the Nova is so flexible was the engine bay, which was capable of housing a wide variety of engine. Anything from a fuel sipping four cylinder all the way up to a fuel guzzling V8 could fit in the engine bay; in later Novas one could order their car with up to a 402 cui motor. For ’66 the 327 cui was the largest engine offered in the Nova, but could be had with up to 350 horsepower.
As with the rest of the car, the interior is about functionality and simplicity. It is complete, but there is a large tear in the driver’s seat, which someone has taped up. While this interior wouldn’t be comfortable for those long distance trips, it would fine for a grocery hauler or a drag racer.
We are all about practicality and we love anything that resembles a multipurpose tool. This Nova Station Wagon truly is a multipurpose automobile. Sure the next owner will have to do some repairs and some tweaking to make it exactly how they want it, but how many cars out there can carry a family of six, keep up with Muscle cars at the drag strip, and turn heads on the street?
Good find. The Nova was a very good little car that could be transformed into anything you wanted quite easily. I had a 1975 that we put a 409 in just for fun. It did what it was paid to do.
if it passes a PI and if the reserve is low enough this would be a fun driver. spend some money on the rust and making it safe. then wash and wax and your good to go. would be nicer with a manual but with the automatic more people will be able to drive it. great find
Does…Does it have push-button start?
I dig these for the simplicity. There is a old guy down the street that has one like this in blue. He spends most of his time on his farm in another state. When he comes back to the city that darn old Chevy starts up every time. Gawd I miss the simple things…………
Yep…..replace the rust panels and drive it…..for a long time.
…invest in some radial tires, though.
….leave it like it is…..
Get it safe & leave it alone. No need for a crate motor- 327s can get some good power, and we’re talking a relatively light car.
I remember going with my father and mother to Chelsea Chevrolet in Ossining NY in 1962 to pick up his new Chevy 2 station wagon. It was a 194 6cyl with 3 speed on the column and i believe the color was fawn beige . It had a push button AM radio and a cigarette lighter. I think he paid a little over $2.100 for it. We had that car until 1973 when he sold it.