The final generation of the rear-wheel drive Chevy Nova ran from 1975 to 1979. The name was revived in the 1980s, but on a badge-engineered, joint venture Toyota with front-wheel drive. This 1977 edition was purchased new by the seller’s grandmother-in-law, but it’s been sitting for 20 years and may be part of an estate sale. Located on dollies in a garage in Perry, Arkansas, this Bow-Tie project is available here on eBay. A single bid of $1,500 has been cast, with a reserve north of there.
There was nothing radically different about the fourth generation of the Nova. It was still powered by a 250 cubic inch inline-6 as standard, like its predecessors. And V8s were optional up to 350 CI, though Grandma went with the six-cylinder when this car was purchased. We assume she opted for the TH-350 automatic transmission. The photos provided seem to focus on the undercarriage and trunk, with little of the exterior as a whole or the interior and engine compartment shown.
The 1977 model year was a good one for the Nova, with 365,000 copies finding buyers. More than 200,000 were six-cylinder cars with 4-doors or a 2-door coupe with or without a hatchback. The odometer reading on this vehicle is 55,000 miles, which could be legit as the car has been parked for two decades, though the engine has not frozen up.
We’re told the automobile has never been wrecked, and there is zero rust. But we wonder if the entire exterior was once white in color instead of UPS brown, given a few telltale signs. It has factory air conditioning, but there is no mention of its state of health. The seller admits a new gas tank will be needed, so it’s probable the car’s whole fuel delivery system is compromised after being in hibernation so long. Would you shoot for a restoration, go for a restomod transplant, or buy it for parts?
I think that brown came with the car. I had one the same color. Popular seventies color.
I think it should stay in that garage in Arkansas.
Seems like it’s all there. IDK if it’s a resto candidate but someone could make something out of it. Six cylinder Nova with air wasn’t the usual up in Michigan.
This actually doesn’t look like a bad car for just simple cruising or the Cars and Coffee scene. The 6 is a reliable, if not very peppy engine that is pretty much bulletproof. It just takes a repaint, checking the fuel system along with the A/C, and you’re good to go. This might be one of the few times that I would not go for a restomod car but would leave it as the Plain Jane car it is. The last generation of RWD Novas looked pretty nice.
I would love to fit a Seville front clip onto a two door Nova
Oh come on, if you’re gonna mess with it at least put a small block in it. Too bad it isn’t a manual though, slush boxes take the fun out of it. Be a heavy lift in any case, better buy it cheap!
I hoarded up a few decent ones here in Montana. Hoping my grandkids would take an interest. Had several over the years, great cars. I had a nice red four door just a few years ago with 10,000 original miles ( 6 cyl. with A/C ). Couldn’t hardly give it away because no one would believe the mileage. Finally went to Virginia and the buyer has since passed away, not sure where it is now.
Can you say Restomod? Sure you can! I see an LS or LT swap in this car’s future! Maybe bucket seats and a console with a floor shifter to replace the column shift. Whee!
needs more pics but does look solid. can’t see it going much past 4k but you never know
This is a very decent start for a quality daily driver. Upgrade to a decent small block, F41 suspension components and interior and nice paint/wheels and one would have a very nice little unit for well under $30k! Or one could spend the same money on a used Camry. I know which avenue I’d take!