The 1968-72 Chevy Nova’s are some of the most-often cloned muscle cars. That’s because they’re relatively plentiful, lighter, and nimbler than, say, a Chevelle SS. This beautiful example is one of them, but it’s made extra special by having an L78 396 cubic inch V8 built by the famed Nickey Performance. Restored a decade ago, this machine has seen less than 1,000 miles and is looking for a new home. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this hot Chevy is available here on craigslist for $59,900 OBO. Our thanks to Barn Finder “numskal” for this bodacious tip!
Chevy’s Nova (or Chevy II) was consistently a best seller for the GM division and more than a quarter-million of them rolled off the assembly line in 1969. Of those, just 5,262 were the SS 396 with the L78 version of the motor rated at 375 hp from the factory. We don’t know how the seller’s car began life other than the Butternut Yellow paint with a black vinyl top and black interior are the original colors. The seller is open in saying this was not a Super Sport when new.
As the story goes, this Nova was built in 2012 and 2013 using a Nickey Performance engine. They had done their magic with the motor in 1975 for another collector and it would eventually find its way back to them for refreshening. With Nickey’s mods, the V8 is said to now produce 450 hp. In the last decade, the car has only traveled only a few hundred miles, likely to and from auto shows. Some of the upgrades include a Hurst Super Shifter (M-21 Muncie 4-speed) and a Sun Super Tachometer.
The seller says everything important is correct to the Chevrolet 1969 model year. The car has a 12-bolt rear-end with 3:55 gears so, hopefully, it’s both fast and civil to drive. The seller has provided a video of this sweet ride to help highlight it further (as the photos could have been better). I’m partial to this era of the Nova and wish I still had my 1970 with a 350 (2-barrel).
We use to call the Nova a poor mans Chevelle.
Not a poor mans car any more, that’s for sure.
A rich man’s Chevelle?
It’s a nice looking clone, I’m glad the seller upfront about that, too many sellers play word games to get higher prices from unsuspecting buyers. I wouldn’t pay a substantial premium based the machine shop that built the engine, not sure what a really well executed clone should sell for.
I’ve got a 70 Butternut yellow 6 cylinder automatic Nova, I’ve collected most of the parts to install a 350 and 4spd with vintage speed equipment. I’m going to leave the all of the original emblems in place, I don’t see a reason to put any SS trim on it, it will just be a cruiser that will never go to a show.
Steve R
The deal with cars from this era was not cost. It was taste, horse power and what motor sport you followed. The price range in 1970 was from $2,300 -$4800 on average. I was a drag fan first and a Winston Cup fan second and trans am Novas and Camaros were my interests. Still today 70 Z/28 and SS Novas are very cool cars. But it wasn’t price. Always coolness and performance.
Maybe I’m not reading it right, but was this car an original 396 car, or did restorer come across a Nickey motor and add it? Either way it’s drop dead gorgeous! I’m putting together a 74SS with 396, and hope mine turns out as well as this one did!
For a tribute, it’s tastefully done and looks faithful to the way Nickey would have modified it back in 1969. For $60k it’s a little rich but maybe 5 years from now it might fetch that much at Mecum as long as the seller remains upfront about it being a clone…
For this kind of money this car should be just about perfect, yet it’s not even close. Whoever welded that right 1/4 panel on did one hell of a lousy job where it meets the taillight panel. There’s way too much space between the taillight and the end of the 1:4. It’s also wavy at that seam. The rear side marker lights are not in the correct position, they should be closer to the rear bumper. The side moldings on the 1/4 panels are going uphill at the rear as well. I know many of the reproduction parts for these cars fit horribly or are incorrect but why not take the time to make it right? I have a 68 in Butternut Yellow as well and during its restoration I encountered all kinds of issues with reproduction parts. Some weren’t used because of that.
The rear bumper fit is particularly bad, it appears like it was bent in the middle, and sits high over the license plate and lower at each end. For $59k, I would expect better. Also, I’d lose the vinyl roof, saying I’m not fan of vinyl roofs is like saying Stalin was a bad man, LOL!
Very nice but about 20k to much
A few pictures of the interior would’ve been nice
Ok, who lists a $59k+ car without a ton of pictures including one of the VIN and trim tags? Come on people, you can do better!!!!