The other day, I attended the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race at the Mid Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Michigan, and I saw a green 1969 Nova SS with a 396 and base hubcaps run the quarter mile in the high 11s; that’s flying, but it reminded me of something: I like Novas. It’s been a slow build over decades, but even when I tended to ignore them I knew that they were, propensity to rust notwithstanding, one of the best choices for a daily-driver in the history of motoring. Strong, reliable, simple, reasonably stylish…what else would you need? If you lived in salt country, the clock was ticking, but if you lived in, say, Virginia City, Nevada, where you can find this 1977 Nova on eBay, there’s no reason you couldn’t drive it for as long as parts were available to repair it. That’s what the seller’s mother did, willing it to him in 2006. He’s been driving it 1,000 miles a year ever since, but now he’s selling it to focus on other projects. It’s a one-family Nova, so far, but maybe your family will be the second. Nobody has yet bid on this solid little Nova, but there is a “Buy It Now” option of $8,060.
I don’t want to present the wrong idea: This Nova is not a drag racer, nor is it a beaten-up, high-mileage candidate for the salvage yard. The seller claims that his mom only drove it about 1,500 miles a year; therefore, the odometer reads about 60,000 miles, and aside from a recent paint job in what should be Antique White, it’s mostly original. It had some service in the mid 1990s, including a front suspension rebuild, a heater core, and a new air conditioning compressor, but not much else. (By the way, the air conditioning is currently not operating.) The engine is the sturdy base 250-cubic-inch six cylinder, which produced 110 horsepower for 1977, and in this case was matched with an automatic transmission. Trying to figure out what specific parts were used in any 1977-model General Motors car can be difficult, but from what I have found, the 1977 Nova with the six-cylinder engine used a Turbo 350, although there’s a chance it could be the TH200. Either way, the standard rear axle ratio was 2.73:1, so highway mileage should beat 20 miles per gallon if you drive it carefully. Like I said, it’s a perfect daily driver.
Well, almost perfect. The seller reupholstered the front seat, and although it appears to be in good shape, it doesn’t match the Nova’s original and wild plaid cloth that can still be seen on the rear bench. Too bad.
Ex-Hot Rod Magazine editor and internet personality David Freiburger calls the 1975-1979 bodystyle the “Disco Nova” for obvious reasons, but it doesn’t seem like a cutdown. This was a nice, stylish car from a period that wasn’t otherwise known for its simple tastes, and this one-family Nova seems to be ready for another 48 years of service. Although it’s been a one-family car so far, maybe your family is next. It wouldn’t be a bad choice; it’s hard to keep a Nova down.
I agree with you Aaron. In it’s day these were cars that were solid, reliable and stylish too. We had many family friends with Novas, including one who had a Concourse trim level black 4 door with a 350 in it if memory serves me right. And it was quick ( for the day). So many left the factory with the 250 straight six. And your mileage estimate should be spot on. In 1993 as newlyweds we bought an ’84 Chevy half ton with 14000 original miles on it from the estate of the original owner for $1000 ( where on earth did THOSE deals go?). Badly faded huge dent in the side but I didn’t care. I needed something reliavle for work. It had the 250 straight 6 and a THM 350 “C” it had a torque converter lock up. I had no problem touching 16 to 18 on the highway, so in a Nova, you’d have no problem breaking 20 or maybe more. This Nova is very solid and I’d be very happy to be family number 2 to own it. Great write up Aaron, thank you.
One more thing. I’m liking the clean black painted steel rims and white letter tires. Maybe a set of early 70’s Chevy baby moons would look good here.
I agree on the wheels; some period-appropriate Chevy dog dishes would brighten things up a lot.
My family had a 1975 blue 4 door back in N J back in the late 1980’s and my brother had a 1976 white 4 door here in nevada in the late 1990’s and the where just good reliable cars Both had the same 6 clyinder drive line.
A nice set of Chevy/Corvette Rally wheels would do as well.
First thing I’d put on is the full covers that 90% of dealer-stock disco Novas came with. Next would be some period-correct side rub strips, preferably with tan vinyl inserts to pick up the interior color. White stripe tires would come when the existing ones wear out. Just a hint of Brougham without jumping all the way in.
I had a ’77 base Nova similar to this. I bought it in 1978 with 8000 miles on it from a Dodge dealer in Baltimore, MD. It was an odd duck that someone must have ordered. It was 6 cylinder, with 3 speed on the column, factory A/C, no tinted glass and NO power steering. It was like steering a truck at low speeds mostly because the steering wheel was small like the PS cars.
Back when these GM X-cars like this Nova were still commonly seen on the road, I remember seeing quite a few that were “crabbing” when seen from the rear. Apparently there was a plastic pin in the leaf springs that frequently sheared off, causing the car to go slightly sideways when moving forward.
I’ve seen that plenty of times, I always thought it was a bad alignment.
Does this apply to 1st gen f-bodies too with monoleaf springs?
Oh my God! MrMonk thank you for that memory of the “crabbing”. You are so right I remember seeing so many of them doing that. It’s amazing the things that are still in your memory when someone brings it up.
Sold a bunch of these new on “Rte 1The Automile”@ Mac Moran Chevrolet Norwood Ma.I will always remember one potential buyer would only sign the P&S if I would drive it down Rte 1 with him following me in his soon to be trade in,to make sure it wasn’t crabbing.Thankfully it was one that drove straight.SOLD!
Working in a gas station from 1970-72 I had plenty of opportunity to look at cars on the lift. It surprised me to no end that Novas had a single leaf spring on each side in he rear. That alone stopped any thought of ever buying one.
Some did, some didn’t I never cared, they drove amazing. Some of the absolute best cars EVER. If they made brand new 72 Nova’s today, they couldn’t make them fast enough I would bet.
Cool looking Nova. So much can be done to it. A sleeper comes to mind. I know people will not like what I will say. So here goes… remove the complete driveline. Install… stroker 383 with 450-500 horsepower. Reworked Turbo 350 either 10 or 12 bolt rear with posi 3.73 gears. 4 wheel disc brakes. Keep the paint i like white. And the wheels but may go Cragers. And very neat and tight dual exhaust. And of course the AC stays. This would make me feel young again. The wife wouldn’t be happy. Of well you live once!! 🐻🇺🇸
In the last few years I grabbed a few of these up when they were just a few hundred dollars ( dry Montana cars). They all have issues but are decent. I hope to play around with them in my old age. Had a couple back when we were young (wife’s cars usually) GREAT cars!
Back when I use to bang around junkyards looking for gold I ran across one of the neatest pieces. It was in one of these, maybe a 76, it was a dealer installed Delco tach that was mounted right above the ashtray. The install was neat as a pin and plugged into the factory harness.
Good stuff.
Man, would I love to have this little cruiser!
I had a ‘77 Concours Edition, triple black with a Landau top and powered by a factory L48 350 and factory 4 speed. Even had power windows. Car was a lot of fun for a young lad back in the day. Did some tweaking here and there but when the new 5.0’s came out in ‘89…well those notchbacks were wicked quick. Would be nice to be able to go back in time every once in a while.
Ended at $2,873.
Reserve Not Met.
10 Bids.