The Nova (aka Chevy II) was the second compact to debut from Chevrolet in the early 1960s. The first was the Corvair in 1960, which was unorthodox compared to its peers with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The Nova followed in 1962 and was more like the Ford Falcon, its most direct competitor. Nearly a decade later, the Nova was still going strong and the seller’s ’71 edition is a one-owner car. It’s largely original, looks to wear newer paint, and has a 350 V8 engine. This one is in Wallace, South Carolina, and available here on eBay where the auction has reached $16,200.
Due in part to an extended labor strike during the 1971 model year, Nova production was off at under 195,000 units. When you drill down to the 2-door sedan with the 245 hp, 350 cubic inch V8, production of those cars would total 18,000+ units. I had the same car and motor for 1970, which was rated higher by just five more horses. But the engine compartment is rather dirty here and there is rust on the valve covers, something I would have taken care of before listing the car. The seller’s auto looks to be finished in Cranberry Red paint, an original color for 1971, but it looks too new not to be a repaint.
The car is said to be nearly rust-free, with two small spots at the bottom of both front fenders (a common Nova problem) and patches will accompany the Nova for the buyer to deal with later. Though the original owner is the seller of this Chevy, it has been stored indoors for the past 28 years. But’s that was not likely for mechanical reasons at 58,000 miles as we’re told the car runs and drives great now. Photos show two sets of wheels on the car, but it appears as the more common Rally wheels are what’s coming with the deal.
We assume the Chevy is stock and the interior looks to have held up nicely. But two custom exhaust pipes are peeking out from under the rear bumper, so I’m betting this car was converted to dual exhaust at some point. I did the same with my ’70 Nova and it enhanced the sound of the 350 engine, though I didn’t notice any change in power or gas mileage. According to Hagerty, a non-SS ’71 Nova is worth about $20,000, so with plenty of time left in the auction, how high might this one will go?
This is one nice, desirable Nova! It has the bright window trim, the body side moldings, and a CLOCK! I don’t see an A/C compressor, so not sure if it is still functional.
The original “taxicab” grade interior looks to be in great condition. With 8 days left, I predict that this one will easily reach $20K. GLWTA!!
BTW: Despite the myth, in Spanish “no go” is no va, two separate words! :-)
Ya, I’ve always disliked the espanol comparison. Nova like stellar…
You’re right, the compressor is completely missing. The car is also wearing a new dash pad as well. It has the AC vents on the driver and passenger sides, but an AC car would have had vents in the center above the ashtray as well.
Again with the repainted “survivor”…did it “survive” the restoration?
Why in the world do folks think it’s a good idea to try to sell cars with photos that show hoods, doors and/or decklids partially open? Back in the day when it was a big deal to take a picture on film and then get it scanned there might have been an excuse (but not really). Today ‘everyone’ had access to a phone with a digital camera and yet it’s too much to take a decent photo when you go begging for money?
I believe this car is Classic Copper instead of Cranberry Red.
Looking at this odd color and I seem to think it might actually be a repaint of the factory “Burnt Orange” and not a very good job at that. I owned a ’71 Nova SS back in ’76, kept it only a year and it had the 350 4 spd setup with bench seat. It was Lime green on Black vinyl. I sold it for $1450 with 50k mi. I wish I had that one back today!
Close up of deck lid shows bondo around the lock cylinder. The rear body panel is bondo too, and I think the bumper is a re-chrome. Not a very good paint job. It has been along time since this car saw 58000 miles. Why can’t people just sell a car as is instead of telling stories to make it something it’s not?
Well Jeff-E it a 71 nova with a few miles on it yes it has some body work done over the years they all will big deal looks like a great car to make your own
huh!
Wipe your eyes and look real close. They try to pass it off as a 58k survivor, but it is really a 100k plus bondo buggy. It just gets old to me, and suckers fall for it.
Definitely not a 58K miles survivor. Good luck to whoever buys it.
Novas were “not too big, not too small” as Chevrolet advertised. Coupled with a V8 engine automatic transmission , power steering and brakes the cars drove well, handled well and were equipped like bigger and more expensive cars. It is sad that the Nova for sale does not have working air conditioning. There might not be proof for the low mileage, there is some rust and the engine bay needs detailed but someone will step up with a big bid to own this half century old classic.
Price is really high. Rusted valve covers. It looks like there is corrosion all over the engine. Does it even run?
Good luck to whoever buys this.
Corrosion or rust on underhood parts tells you a lot about where the car has been in its life.
I don’t mean to brag but the cars in our area of western NC lead a rust-free life. So that’s what I have always been used to seeing. I’ve owned quite a few older cars that had always been from around here their whole lives and they looked new underhood and underneath.