Chevrolet fielded not but two entries in the new and growing compact car market in the 1960s. The first arrived in 1960 in the form of the Corvair with its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. Next came the more conventional Chevy II in 1962. The latter would enjoy an 18-year run, including this nicely trimmed Nova from 1964. With just 17,000 miles, the seller’s 4-door sedan could be one of the best left at $17,900 here on craigslist. It hails from the Denver, Colorado area. Our thanks go to Mike F. for this Bow-Tie tip!
First-generation Chevy II’s were in production until 1965 (after 1969, the car would be solely marketed as the Nova). An inline-4 was standard in ‘64, but most buyers opted for one of two six-cylinder engines, displacing either 194 or 230 cubic inches (86% of customers). For whatever reason, Chevy II/Nova sales dropped by half from 1963 to 1964 (372,000 vs. 191,000 units). Nearly half of buyers (44%) signed up for 4-door sedans like this beauty.
We’re told this Chevrolet is mostly original, which includes the paint and interior. Other than a couple of minor rust holes, the sheet metal is as clean as a whistle at a claimed 17,000 miles from new. Besides a Plain Jane motor, this Nova comes with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. The seller says that “everything needed to make it reliable and safe” has been done to the little car, but all we can visually attest to is a new fuel tank.
As a survivor, the trunk of this Chevy II is full of extra parts, including a front disc brake kit should you want to undertake a conversion. The seller is confident this car is ready for a cross-country trip, or most buyers would save it just for outings to Cars & Coffee and the like. If you’re looking for a vintage auto that is more original than not, could this Chevy be it? But is the seller’s asking price too ambitious?
I love these early novas. When I was in high school one of the guys took a 4 door nova like this and put a 327 and a 4spd. In it and painted it Lemans blue with chrome reverse wheels.
Not only was it fast but it was a sharp looking car.
I’d be tempted to do the same thing to this one
Chevy II sales dropped for 1964 primarily because of what was sitting next to it in the showroom: the Chevelle. Temporary deletion of the hardtop body style didn’t help. Dealers made so much noise that it was brought back at mid-year.
There was also a pretty popular car that hit the market in April of 64 sitting on the lots with a blue oval.
Maybe so but 1 in 2 cars sold then was a Chevrolet. They did take notice and responded 2 years later.
Shocked at the Falcon’s superior sales figures, Chevrolet kneecapped the Corvair with this entry. Which they then kneecaped with the Chevelle.
The first nearly mortal blow against the Corvair, Long before Ralph Nader
This is neat because it is so original, and I think it should stay that way. Judging from the asking price, its going to stay in the current owner’s garage indefinitely.
It always amazes me how a base model like this survives for so long! It’s not a coupe, it doesn’t have a V8 to make it attractive. It’s just a basic 6 cyl car with a ‘3 on the tree’! Someone bought it and never drove it. How does that happen to a base model??? Hmmmmmmmm? The base price in 1964 was probably around $1600. I only say that because my mom got a 64 Impala SS new for around $2300. Does anyone know the base price of the Basic Nova?
Even if the hell was driven out of it & for many many miles, the original straight 6 & trans(if it was a powerglide) would still be running fine today. Almost all 6s that were replaced with v8s wound up in junk yards as orphans with no home.
This car probably was just driven very short distances running errands & few long trips were taken.& rarely driven in bad weather – or kept out in the sun.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved original survivors. I don’t mind little upgrades here and there, as long as it still looks original to the car.
What a nice Nova! I’m not typically a 4 door guy, but this is just nice. Very reasonably priced too.
Did I miss what 6 is in this (194 or 230)? I drove a friend’s ’64 in college many years ago, his having a 194 and I was actually impressed with the torque of the seemingly small 6.
V8 engine is nice, but unless you use the car for drag racing or it’s a police car, you shouldn’t need that much power.
Let’s see the rust holes. Such damage is not trivial. Also some history and justification for the claimed mileage.
I am a huge fan of ’64 Nova’s mostly because my first “real” car was a ’64 400 with a 283 and wide ratio M-20 gearbox. With nothing more than the intake and heads off a 327/300 horse and a Duntov “270” cam it would run all night with a single 4-barrel GTO or 442. That being said, and while this a really nice example of a base 4 door I wouldn’t touch it for the kind of money the seller is asking.
I don’t mind little patina, as long as there are no holes that would compromise the structure of the car.
We lookin’ at the same car? Patina???
We lookin’ at the same car? Patina???
Maybe the rust holes are qualifying….