Yes, it really is a V8 SS car, and no, it’s not completely rusted out! As a matter of fact, it’s relatively solid, although you’ll need to replace a lot of components. The car is for sale here on eBay where strong bidding has it up to over $3,000 already; if you like it a whole lot you can buy it now for $5,500. It’s located in Lacey, Washington.
One of the nice things about a seller that includes pictures of the ID plates on a car is that you can figure out exactly what you see. In this case by using a VIN decoder and a Cowl tag decoder from novaresource.org you can determine that it really is a SS Nova, one of 9,100 that was produced in 1965. There’s some question as to whether it’s a 327 or 283 in there, but it is a V8 and is said to be matching numbers.
The seller tells us that the hood and right front fender need to be replaced. You can see the dents if you look closely; I hope there is no other damage unseen. Maybe a falling tree?
You’ve heard of a clean sheet of paper? Consider this a clean sheet of metal. Okay, not really, because there’s certainly some rust here. Is it too much to blast and paint? Only an inspection would tell you for sure.
Here’s that engine. What do you think — does it look original to you? And what do you think about this project? Let us know in the comments!
Cool! A friend of mine’s older sister owned one back in the mid-1960s. Even with only a 220 Horse 283 under the hood, it was surprisingly quick.
That one looks like the 195 HP version with the 2GC Rochester.
The 327 had different valve covers, which is the quick way to spot the difference.
It would be a fun project…
$3000 for scrap iron???? I DON’T THINK SO…..
It definitely is an engine from before pvc. That being said, I would venture to say only an engine number could properly identify it. To bad it wasn’t a 4 speed.
There’s a photo of the engine code in the ebay ad. “F0I04PN” identifies this as a 1965 “283” with 195 HP and a Powerglide transmission and is a Chevy II/Nova block (“PN”). The ‘Nova’ blocks were a different casting than those used in other Chevrolet products. The engine would have been built at the Flint, Michigan plant (“F”) on January 4, 1965 (“0I04”)
BTW – there was, at least at one time, a PCV valve there. All Chevrolet cars built in the 1963 model year and later have PCV. On this one, there would have been a hose from the very back of the engine (below the distributor) that connected to the back of the carburetor base.
Thanks, SL!
Is that the correct shifter for a 65 automatic car ? Know my 64 SS was different…nice car.
That’s the same (original) shifter I’m my ’65 w/powerglide.
What a difference a year makes. If this was a 66, the price would be 3 to 4 times what this one is.
This would be a great project for a young guy to start out with from every phase of restoration and there’s a ton of resto parts for this car, that will be worth something when done.
Why do so many of these finds seem to lose air filters?
I agree Chuck, same with the radiator caps. My buddy has a 1964 SS for sale, 6 cyl. I think his says Chevy ll on the fenders though. A really nice car but has it priced as one of those B-J wannabees.
With that wheel and tire set up the impression I got was ex-racer either street or strip. Then I saw the stock 2 bbl engine and it killed that image right away. Seems that was the direction this car was going, at one time or another. I just get that impression from it.
Could definitely make for a nice project. I’m considering it. Wish it was closer though. Long haul back to Wisconsin with it.
Steve- Did you buy this car and bring it back to Wisconsin? I have it, and I live near Milwaukee
I prefer Chevelles myself! I know where a mint same year sS nova sets under wraps in a garage locally as the owner prefers it that way. I have the non sS chevelle all orig and am second owner .
Nogo or novas are nice cars too👍
I know there’s a lot of history & love for the ’66 & up Nova’s but the ’65 has always been my personal favorite.
I had a 64 with a straight 6 and 2 speed Powerglide.Later with a 400 small block and a lead foot ,that thing would haul the mail.Low 11’s with bias ply tires.Anybody remember Mickey Thompson Superwide tires?So many memories.My first car and it looked just like this one.
No way! A beat up 283, no interior, all the body work, painting. Underside pics? Suspension? $250.00
Patrick. What planet are you on? I haven’t seen a restorable 60’s car ( other than maybe an ugly 4dr sedan) for $250 dollars since the 70’s. You couldn’t buy a pair of fenders for this car for $250!
65 Nova’s were kind of a bastard year, only year that had ‘C’ moldings and headlight rings , finding some of these parts may prove to be difficult ,any case, i would make a drag car out of it
$5500 for what’s left of a parts car. Simply mind boggling.