By 1962, Chevrolet had two players in the burgeoning compact car market. First was the unconventional Corvair (rear-mounted, air-cooled) in 1960, followed by the more routine Chevy II a couple of years later. The Chevy II (aka Nova) was a mini version of the GM division’s full-size products with its water-cooled engine up front. Located in Rushford, New York, this survivor-grade vehicle runs and drives well and looks nice enough. Another great tip from Tony Primo, this Bow-Tie sedan is available here on craigslist for $12,000.
Chevrolet wanted to go head-to-head with the straightforward Ford Falcon, so the Chevy II hit the streets in 1962. And it was a success at 326,600 copies sold in the first year. Little impact was felt by the Corvair, which still found 292,500 buyers in 1962, its third year (and it was little changed). Eventually, demand for the Corvair ran out of gas, and it was cancelled in 1969, while the Chevy II/Nova blazed on through 1979.
We’re told the seller’s car is a 300 Series Nova, which sold 92,000 copies in ’62 (it offered a higher level of trim). The seller says this is a low-mileage (59,000) original that does its job admirably. The little economy machine gets its power from a 230 cubic-inch inline (an anemic 4-banger could be ordered, but sales were light) paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic tranny. It’s been driven all Summer with no mention of any repairs made or needed.
The paint looks presentable (but faded) with no signs of corrosion. The red interior may be the car’s best feature and is as clean as you’d probably find. The seller says everything works as it should, and the factory owner’s manual has managed to hang on after 63 years. If you’re in the market for a solid, unmolested first-generation Nova, this one might be hard to beat.
As is, please!
The interior looks surprising good after 63 years and 59K miles. The only visible flaw is how poorly the carpet fits the transmission tunnel. The ‘true 100% survivor’ sounds like an exaggeration.
Dad had one in the 70s ,he put a bored over 292 in it, also was 3 on the tree,it definitely was a strong runner..
You are right, “survivor” has become a meaningless word that cannot be accepted at face value. Sellers often use it to avoid a detailed description, potential buyers interpret it based on their preconceived biases.
Steve R
Well spoke, Steve.
My brother’s second car. (His first, 1964 Chevelle, was stolen soon after he bought it.).
He paid $900, 1985 dollars for it, or (I just looked it up) about $2,700 in today’s money.
It did not have its original front split bench seat, but otherwise was in very comparable condition to this one.
I guess that memory is what’s coloring my opinion of this car as I’m just not seeing $12,000 here.
If it does have a 230 engine, it’s certainly not original. Factory engine choices were the 4 cylinder or the 192 inch six.
But if it’s not rusty, it’s worth the asking price.
Your right. The 230 wasn’t available in 62. It would have had the 194 in it. Just like my Dad’s 62 had when he bought it new in 62
I always liked these early novas and as nice as this one looks it’s still a NY car and I would want to see what it looks like underneath before I would pay $12,000 for it I’d feel better at about half that. I’d want to drop a small block 4spd.into it.
I believe the engine is the194 CID six, the 230 CID engine was not available in 1962. We had a ’62 convertible Chevy II with the 194.
I bought a 1962 Chevy 2 in 1987 that had been garaged with the handbrake on for 7 years owing to the owners death. Installed a new battery, started it up, filled the tank, drove it from the Indian Ocean coast up 6000ft to Johannesburgh for Easter where a brake lining came off. Glued it back on, stuck it in the oven at 300 deg. for an hour, re fitted it and drove the 350 miles back home. Great car which was a 4 door sedan which, judging by the photo above of the 2 door which looks out of proportion to me, I prefer the 4 door sedan. Picture above was taken after I sold it. It was black when I owned it.
My first car. The only difference was mine had a three speed manual transmission.
Served me very well, but the 300 series, at least mine , had no carpeting, rubber floor mats instead.
Also, the first gen Chevy 11’s had four bolt 13’ wheels in 1962 ,this one looks like it has 14’ wheels.
I don’t think it is completely original.
I had a friend growing up, that had one of those, but his was red, inside and out. It was a sleeper, as it concealed a 327, 365 hp engine with a few extra goodies, like a Duntov 097 cam, solid lifers, Isky racing valve springs, stellite valves, Holley 750 dual pumper carb, an 11 pound aluminum truck 12 inch flywheel and clutch disk, a Muncie 2:20 to 1 low, aluminum 4 speed tranny, and a 331, approx, positrac third member. Needless to say it had a recognizable lope to the engine, and there weren’t too many other street cars that could beat thru the quarter mile. All with Atlas Plycron street tires, 8:00 x 14, on the stock 14 in ch 4 bolt rims.
I agree with Steve R and A.G. The term survivor is bandied about in a most offhand manner in the old car hobby. By definition all older cars are survivors in the sense that they are still around long after most of their brethren have gone to the crusher. So what meaning does the word actually have? Condition is paramount. Survivor A can be pristine while survivor B might be a project car. I always thought that survivor described an unrestored vehicle that is just like it was when it left the factory. Exceptions include consumables like batteries and brakes. But that is my opinion. Anyway, the CL posting has been deleted by the author so it will continue to survive with its new owner I expect.
Just a minor upgrade to the 250 6 cylinder and a turbo 350 transmission would really perk this car up to an “unseen modifiction” . The upgraded wheels/tires liven it up visually. So it’s fine the way that it is. Naturally, upgrading the brakes and suspension a little would be in order for a daily driver. The price I thought was a little high. But since it appears to be sold. Shows how much I know. (Or don’t know)
boy what sweet nova in killer silver/red combo. looks great. it’s a shame that this most likely get an L/S jammed downs its neck like most every other car now days. the attraction here IMO is the simplicity of the car.
Back in the 70’s I had the opportunity to buy a rusty but reliable – what in Western New York was commonly known as a “winter beater” – one of these from a coworker for $50. Funny how back then you could buy reliable transportation for the price of a nice bottle of wine today…
Back in yhe day in Western Pennsylvania you could buy a “winter beater” for next to nothing, drive it for the winter and then trash itcause it was usually too far gone to fix
My dad bought a new 62 Nova 400 and it had a 194ci 6 cylinder. I don’t think they came with a 230ci engine…