The 1965 Nova SS is one of those cars that could so easily slip under the performance car radar. However, a low weight coupled with reasonable engine power resulted in a car that provided lively performance. With only 9,100 examples built during the 1965 model year, they also bring an air of relative rarity to the table, and this all adds up to a car with the potential to do nothing but grow in both popularity and price in coming years. Barn Finder Rocco B spotted this SS for us, so thank you so much for that Rocco. Located in Boulder City, Nevada, you will find this Nova listed for sale here on Craigslist.
The first thing that I will say about this Nova is that I really like the color combination. Glacier Gray paint coupled to a black interior gives the car a truly classy look. The car is missing its rear bumper, but otherwise, it does appear to be complete. There is some rust present, the worst of this being in the floors. The news isn’t all bad, because a parts car is included in the sale, and it contains all of the steel that you will need to restore this car.
Under the hood is the 283ci V8, which pumps out 195hp. In this model year, Chevrolet also introduced an up-rated 283 that produced 220hp, and they also managed to shove in a 327 that produced anything up to 300hp. Still, in a car that only tips the scales at 2,980lbs, 195hp resulted in quite respectable performance. That 283 is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. The owner states that the engine, transmission, and rear end are all original. This makes this a numbers-matching car, which is good news when it comes to values. The car doesn’t currently run, but the engine does turn freely. The owner also states that he has been told that of the 9,100 cars built in 1965, less than 100 were configured as this car is, and only 3 are now known to exist. I have spent quite a few hours trying to prove or disprove this claim, but I haven’t had any luck. Maybe one of our Barn Finds readers will be able to clear this up.
The interior is looking a bit on the sad side, but the good news is that it appears to be largely complete, and also unmodified. Desirable items like the floor console and original steering wheel are present and in good condition, as is the dash. Most of the upholstered surfaces have raised the surrender flag, but this is one aspect of the car where restoration should be quite straightforward.
The ’65 Nova SS is one of those cars that has all the hallmarks of being a potentially good investment. Values have begun to climb, and have increased across the board by around 30% over the last 3-years. It is possible to find a nice, original example for around the $36,000 mark, but prices of around $42,000 are becoming more common. This car will need a full restoration, but the parts car should hopefully make this process that little bit easier. The owner has set a price of $9,500 for this SS, and I think that it sounds like a pretty good buy at that price.
Looking at the trunk floor, I would suggest that any potential buyers would want to check out the rest of the car before purchase. Hopefully, this Nova is saveable.
The ’65 V8 Nova SS was a real sleeper back when they were new. A buddy of mine’s older sister had a 220 HP 283-equipped Nova and the car surprised a lot of gearheads when she gave it the Loud Pedal.
Even without the bumpers, that looks like a super deal for a 1965 Nova SS with numbers matching V8 engine and 4 speed transmission.
Had one of these 1973-74 283 2bbl 4 spd. Amazing performance.
No 283’s in 73-4!
I think he meant he had one of these in 73 – 74.
Are these as rare as the seller mentions?
I had one of these when I was in high school. A 1962 that had a 6cyl and PG when I got it. I put a 327 and 4 speed in it and that’s when I learned about the clutch linkage/clutch ball problem one could encounter and the oil filter problems when using headers on a block that did not originally come in a chevyll/nova. My registration weight was 2650 and once I ironed out my problems it surprised many unsuspecting victims. It had floor rust problems on passenger front side and door window problems, both comon. From the trunk pictures this is a salty northern car and rusty under side will most likely be a horror. That said, I would like to have it but not for the price. It would be better to start with new repo floor panels instead of the parts car.
This car is the Impala Super Sport of the Chevy II line. Very nice.
sold new in Perry, Iowa; I bet there’s a lot more rot than the photos reveal. An in person inspection is definitely important.
Only thing I’m curious about is the 195hp/283/2 barrel engine this has with a 4sp. I really can’t imagine someone or some dealership ordering this car and not having a 220hp,4 barrel?? I was 15 at the time, my dad sold Chevrolets and Oldsmobiles and I don’t recall anything like this??
My friend bought a new ’67 Chevelle convert. with a bench seat 283 cu 4 speed, probably 1 of 1. The guy was not a gear head but his dad got him a job between college years driving a Coke truck with a 4 speed…Yeah, he’s still a little weird.
Way back in time, I had a friend who had a Chevy II nova. He had a 396 crammed under the hood. Manual on the floor. He completely annihilated many fast cars around our town of Ruskin Florida. Maybe someone from around that area might know who I am talking about. Maybe nobody does. Anyway it was really fast. He had a Franklin quick change rear in it. Franklin was manufactured in the little town. If I had a choice, it would be a Chevy II for sure. They are a better looking car than the later models for sure.
What a shame this car was left to rot. Only thing holding that floor pan together is the carpet. Sigh………….
I hada 63 SS (straight six/powerglide, 4 lug wheels, and power assist steering) And a 64 SS with 283 and muncie trans, Wish I had kept the 64, But a few details for trivia FYI,
Some people have trouble with oil pans and clearance, I didnt but many do so often the oil pans are bashed in to clear steering. When doing an engine swap beware! The 283s of these years had a special boss for the 4 speed cross shaft, When I ran other engines I learned the hardway and had a specialty adapter made.
(I have a complete setup, pedals, shafts and adapter if someone needs one as when I sold mine i was running an autotrans)
The brakes on these are TERRIBLE! single pot MC and drum brakes that rarely worked together. Same with the suspension is the worst design ever. The early Mustangs shared the same design and believe it or not some Mustang suspension parts interchange. Without serious surgery and mods they are pretty scary to drive. With a V8 and headers, plug changes are challenging, I had some special tricks to access them.
I had a lot of fun with mine and was a very fast little car, Most people dont know what they are. However finally sold mine as it was scary to drive with a lot of HP.
this is what happened to all the gen 1 an gen 2 novas, they all rotted away the tin worm not only attacked mopars but all cars of this era. my brother had one of these in 77. 383 small block and 4 spd.quickest car in are area. not fastest but quickest. but took 2 miles to stop it. 10″drum man. brakes all around. plugs was fun to inspect with the fenderwell 2″ hooker headers. car ran low 7s in 1/8. that was pretty quick with 10 inch slicks. all you could get under the rear
Yeah they are just starting like the 60s vettes especially A 4 speed super sport u never hardly see them on the road only at car shows
One of my best friends thru high school bought one of these in ’71 after his return from RVN and left Uncle Sam’s Army. If I recall he paid $800 for it and it was a 1965 SS Cobalt Blue 283 4 spd version that would smoke the tires like nothing I ever saw back in the day. It was a one family owned and in pristine condition, if only he knew today what he had and the current value, it would probably make a grown man cry.