By 1978, the rear-wheel-drive Nova was on the way out, soon to be replaced by a rebadged Japanese import from Toyota. The automobile had a great run, dating back to 1962 when it became the second compact in the Chevrolet portfolio (the Corvair was the first). This ’78 Nova is said to be a great running car with a new interior, although the choice of materials and colors used might be an acquired taste. Our thanks to Rocco B. for this tip, a car found in Tarzana, California which is available here on craigslist for $3,500.
The original Nova got its final redesign in 1975, yet the car maintained more than a passing similarity to the successful 1968-74 generation. Those cars had sold well, so why mess with what works, right? Front disc brakes and cut pile carpeting were now standard equipment, so even the most basic Nova wasn’t stark (they had also become popular as police cars). Sales of the Nova dropped a bunch in ’78 which may have been attributed in part to the all-new, downsized Malibu which wasn’t much bigger than the Nova.
Two V8s were available in 1978 and this Nova has one, but the seller doesn’t state which is present or provide an under-the-hood photo. Plan A was a 145 hp 305 while Plan B was the 170 hp 350 cubic inch V8. Either way, it’s paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, and we’re told the auto runs well at 86,000 miles. The carburetor is new, but no mention is made of any other work that has been done.
The body looks solid and the white paint is okay but not perfect. The big news may be the newly redone red and black interior which is a departure from the grey door panels that may have been overlooked in the process. This Chevy could serve as a nice daily driver if that was your choice because $3,500 doesn’t go far these days. Usually that will only get you a project car that needs more time and money invested to be viable.
It was replaced in 1980 by the FWD X-car, the POS Chevy Citation(Not the Corollanova). What a dumb decision that was.
The “captive import” Toyota Corolla based Nova didn’t arrive till 1985, it was built in California at the Fremont plant called NUMMI…jointly built by GM and Toyota.
That interior looks like it is from a brothel.
Hopefully it isn’t a 305. Those early ones ate camshafts like wildfire.
Due to improper oiling caused by highway gears which meant the RPMs were way down. Good news is it’s nothing a little work can’t fix.
Nothing wrong with smallblock oiling at any rpm. It’s the oil that changed and wiped out the flat tappet cam. Look a the ZDDP levels
The “U” in the VIN indicates that it has the 305 V8.
There was a police package in that year model. 350 four barrel oversise wheels and tires,sway bar ect. I worked at a dealership servicing new cars. The Nova police cars were fun!! To drive. A four door Z28.
Boy, that interior sure is … red.
I’ve been looking for something like this, but I’m across the country. For me, it doesn’t matter as much how it’s equipped as what condition it’s in. This looks solid, and rust free is the most important part.
The only immediate thing I’d have to do is get rid of the tramp stamp on the windshield. I’d endure the abuse for the rest of it until I could build it into what I’d like it to be. Engine? Suspension? Interior? All that could be tailored to fit me over time.
And you may not see it, but that’s a Gen 2 Camaro/TransAm under that sedan. Anything you could do to one of those, you could do the same here with much the same parts.
$3500 for a solid car I could build into anything I want? This’d be a great place to start. If it’s as good a driver as the seller says, that’s a sweet bonus.
Door panels are actually blue, the blue interiors GM used in the mid-late ’70s were a very light sky blue. I would be seriously tempted if the rest of the interior was still in that color, especially if it was the plaid (almost gingham pattern) “Sport Cloth”.
I drove a Nova 4 door insurance replacement car of this vintage after a middle aged female turned out of a business exit and swung so wide she hit my Pontiac in the second lane over. The Nova had good visibility, went exactly where it was pointed and stopped well. The 6 cyclinder engine was smooth but slow so the 305 is a better match for merging onto highways. The car for sale looks nice and I personally love that cheerful red interior. Another wondetful BarnFind.
I sure wouldn’t have trouble getting wide awake each morning getting into that interior with the sun shining! Nice though
Just keep an eye on the rear springs. They always broke and would crab walk down the rd. So wild to see such a bright intererior these days.
$3500 with a v8 and a redone interior. What a deal! Surprised it hasn’t been snatched up.
Lovely looking car. A friend of my late father had one. Hers looked just like this, 4 door sedan, but hers was blue with blue interior. If only I was old enough at the time to drive the car, I might’ve enjoyed it.
“My interior’s so bright I gotta wear shades”