This 1970 Chevrolet Nova is pictured with its longtime original owner, and despite the rather confusing craigslist description, it does appear to be a real-deal survivor. As a lifelong California car, rust seems non-existent, but the otherwise decent interior is marred by rodent damage. The seller is asking $24,000 for this 307-equipped Nova here on craigslist, which is all the money for a non-SS car. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find.
The body is quite sound in photos, and the Rallye wheels are a nice look. The tires have clearly been sitting flat in the same location for eons, but despite the long period of inactivity, the only sign of damage from its long-term slumber is the aforementioned chewed-up interior (the seller has some choice words for the rodent that did the damage, but hopefully isn’t indicative of his personality).
Now, I can’t see the damage the seller speaks of. At first, it looked like the center of the bench seat was torn, but that actually appears to be the seatbelt. Green was definitely the original owner’s color of choice, as it is found everywhere, from the trunk lid to the carpet. The Nova is said to have only 52,000 original miles, and “isn’t even broken in” according to the seller. It has been sitting for the last 25 years in the original owner’s garage.
So while it’s not the sexiest Nova ever made, its condition does ring true as belonging to a survivor-grade car. Novas aren’t super rare, but it’s not necessarily easy to find an example as clean as this and equipped with an eight-cylinder. While I doubt the seller will see his asking price, the purist Chevy enthusiast will likely give this one a long, hard look, as even a commuter-grade Nova in mint condition is a car worth preserving.
Wow….if it sells for that…..the flipper sure did good.
can someone please reject future listings-when the picture take clearly has NO IDEA what is important to take a picture of, PLUS its as fuzzy and blurry as last nights college frat drink fest—-
COME ON SELLERS* GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER PLEASE
You can always get a few grand more if you show some old people in the ad.
Nice foundation for any style of project. I’d be surprised if it couldn’t be completely disassembled with a set of wrenched and 3/8’s sockets.
It’s way over priced, $12,000-14,000 is more realistic. Seller is fishing, if he’s inflexible on the price he’s going to be subject to a reality check.
Steve R
I agree, $24k is too steep, original owner or not. $10-12k sounds reasonable if the buyer wants to make the car better. The owner paid what? ….$3k new with a 307?
Wishful thinking.
somewhat off topic but can anyone tell me why the 307 is considered a dog of an engine?
Simply put it was slow. Not exactly sure why but it just was very doggy. A buddy of mine had a 70 with this motor so I know.
I agree, $24k is too steep, original owner or not. $10-12k sounds reasonable if the buyer wants to make the car better. The owner paid what? ….$3k new with a 307?
Wishful thinking.
Probably not even $3k.
Not that a 307 is a dog motor but does it make it $24k sell? That’s the bigger question. A ’70 Cuda with a 318 could fetch that price to be cloned into a Hemi or R/T especially when a Hemi Cuda convertible 4speed was just auctioned off in Seattle for $3.5 million. Who knows.
The 307 was basically a 283 with a 327 crank. A “stroked” 283, if you will. Add an rv cam, better breathing heads and a four barrel and you really got something.
GM never built a performance version of the 307. As a matter of fact, I may be wrong, but I don’t believe it was even offered with a 4 barrel carb. With that being said, it got a bad rap. IMO, its a better engine than the later 305. My brother had a 72 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup with what we thought was a 350, as told by a previous owner. It had a 2 barrel carb, single exhaust and cast iron intake that we swapped to a Edelbrock performer and holley 600 cfm carb. It also got a Comp 268H cam, lifters and new valve springs. Last but not least, a set of headers and true dual exhaust. Later, we ran the numbers and found it was actually a 307. Since it had the shorter stroke like a 327, it did seem to rev a little quicker than a 350.
I wouldn’t go to the trouble to rebuild a 307 with an overbore, new pistons, etc when a 350 block could be used for the same price. For that matter, a 383 could be built for just a little more.
307 had soft cams.I know I replaced many of them. Bruce.
Back in 1984 I bought one exactly like this only blue with a blue interior from the original owner for $500. That 307 was a good engine, I drove it for years and all I ever had to do to it was replace one water pump. Anyway, $12,000 to $14 seems high. Good luck with that.
It’s not good enough to make $3,000- $5,000 on a car you probably underpaid the poor old guy for. No. You need to make over $20,000 on it by pricing over twice what it’s value is and you can’t even put a set of tires on it that hold air.
I will be putting tires on it and lowering price I didn’t know what to price it at seeing u never find one in this condition
I like Novas of this era and with no rust to speak of it’s a jewel but not for that price, you could probably get a SS with a 396 for that $$$ just as nice.
25K for a Green run of the mill Nova that has been sitting for who knows how long? A poorly place ad? That sure is a lot of flipping. Good luck with that. IDK how many miles are on it for that price. It really amazes me what people think their cars are worth.
I’m curious as to how the seller came up with $24k?
$24k for a green 307 car? No way
I think he’s been watching too much
Barrett Jackson but I do like the original owner stories. Wish I had that vision back then.
@Redwagon- the 307 gets a bad reputation as it was usually the base V8 engine in a car or truck and was only offered with a two barrel carb. It responds to all of the usual sbc hop up tricks like four barrel carb, camshafts and headers.
Needs to invest some of the profit into learning punctuation. Bet he paid the old guy less than $5k for the car.
I’d like to know what George got for it. I bet not much.
The seller reduced the price to $19,500……..still WAAAAY too high! It’s a base model, green on green car. I’d pay $4 to $5k for it.
My first car was a 70 Nova. Turquiose with black vinyl interior. No V-8 though, straight six. Bought it in 1977 was perfect except for a small rust spot on the driver’s side rocker. Cut it out and patched, painted it midnight metallic blue. Slapped some Keystone classics and air shocks on it and it looked awesome. Started building a 350 to plop in it when an old bag pulled out in front of me and I t-boned her. Wanted to kill her but my pals kept me from prison. I dream of owning another but not at that price.
Look on the bright side ,she’s probly dead by now!
A,E,I,O,U probably dead
Racer99, you’re right That”s a tough ad to read through . I can’t tell if he didn’t stop by English class or is writing the ad as if it’s a text ? ? ?
Old bags die hard.
It looks like it’s down to $16,500 now. He still has a ways to go to get into the reality zone with his price but, he’s getting there.
I’ll bet they gave that old fart $1000 for the car…….
this guy has not seen the Nova market of late. You can a nice original driver 350 SS for the same scratch.
In response to the ad…I got a head ache.Can I get some punctuation up in here…
Reminds me of a similar car I bought back in the early 90’s here in Austin Tx. It was also a 70 Nova 2 dr. It still had the original Cream/ off white, straight six, 3 speed on the tree. Paid 1k. Sold new at Henna Chevrolet in Austin. It had nearly perfect chrome and paint. It had one dent in the pass side quarter. Lady said a neighbor kid shot it with a pellet gun. It sat outside for at least a while. The paint had rust streak on the roof from the condensation overnight. I put a throwout bearing in it, rebuilt the carb and replaced the shocks. Sold it about a year later for $3k as I needed money for school. Thought I did good, but still kick myself now for selling it. Oh well, add it to the list… two 57 Chevy 2 doors (one hard top one sedan) 62 Impala SS, 55 Chevy pickup, Two 71 El Caminos (one was an SS) 76 Toyota Celica GT. Also had a chance to buy several cars from my brother when he got married, but was too broke. ^2 Bel Air bubble top with a 283/ 3ott, 72 Cutlass Hurst Olds, 69 Camaro SS numbers matching Tuxedo black with a 350/ 4 speed, 12 bolt, deluxe interior PS PB AC, 87 Monte Carlo SS aerocoupe.
Sure Are Alot Of Mean Comments For A Site That Says No Personal Attacks And I Bought The Car And Anything Is Worth What Someone’s Willing To Pay People Paid 100000 For A Cell Phone With Angry Birds On EBay So I Threw Out A number
There’s no sin in asking a premium for a low miles original car but asking double or triple what it’s worth while creating a poorly presented ad doesn’t work for those of us who deal with vehicles on a regular basis. You have access to the same pricing references that everyone else has so you can’t lie back and claim ignorance on what the car is worth — maybe a claim for laziness for not doing your homework is more appropriate. And for your grammar, well, spending a little more time or have someone else proof your ad would help assure potential buyers of your honest intentions and would help you get more money for your vehicle instead of turning potential buyers off. Your ad is not flattering to you, or the car.
you seem oddly coherent in this sample of your dialogue…the car is great!
Happens when my meds kick in. ;-)
Well said racer99
Back then the Police Dept I was on had Nova’s for squad cars, 4 dr’s of course W/350 4 barrels, posi-traction, the usually power, bucket seats. Great cars, fast of course, now called the “interceptor” package
I loved those Nova Police cars…the story was they used a lot of Z28 parts…idk, but they sure were cool lookin’!
I think those were the 74-78 Novas when we were getting more concerned about gas mileage , and , yes, they were barn stormers
Had an El camino @work with a 307 was a dog and mpg sucked also. My 56 Chevy with a 265 would run circles around it.
305 had soft cams never saw a 307 with this problem the 350 has the bigger front pulley Vibration dampner easy to tell from 307.
Never owned one, but, drove one at a car rental place that had a 307, it could lay a scratch as long as I kept the go petal about half way
Hey Mike, if you want respect from this crowd, just come out and tell us all what you paid for the car. Your entitled to make as much as you want on it, and I think your asking price(s) are a bit off, but we all love a good, honest story…….I bought a Mercedes 560SL for 4k a few years back…..motor was blown is what the dealer told me……ran great, smoked like a mother…..turned out to be a $45 transmission modulator, motor was fine……I’m gong to want $12-15k when I sell it……It’s NOT about what I paid, it’s about what it’s worth…..Car guys understand that……Be the envy of everyone, NOT the enemy….
Do you think the BOWTIE group was saving money on that mono spring ?
I have no problem saying I paid $2000 what the owner was happy to get so but I know the value as well anybody can say I ripped him off but he didn’t care he said he probly paid 3000 for it
And ya I have bad Grammer but I fix all my own cars and find great deals cause that’s what I’m good at
The seller should have said “No” to crack.
New joke.
What do all the people who fail English class do in life? They become flippers.
I just looked this up on Hagarty valuation tool 1969 Nova Base 307ci 200 hp. 2 door coupe. Avg value $15,000. Now Mike, it only took me about 5 mins. To do this. Just a suggestion, if you do this before placing an add, then proof read your add before you publish it, you’ll save yourself a lot of head aches. Your right, it shouldn’t matter what you paid for it, it’s no body’s business, but you will get more interest if you price it appropriately to begin with.
I ‘am still waiting for the punch line, oh yeah 24k!!
Lucky if you get 6k for this.
Love these old Novas, Wish I had never let my 1972 RALLY Nova go, foolish, Sellers like this are terrible, I always pass on deals when i see such poor grammer and seems like they must be either ADD/ADHD or on crack/meth with ads written like that.
How you present the product and yourself speaks volumes. Ironic that the seller doesnt see the problems. Too bad because the car is cool. Once a vehicle is out there for a while they become what is known as Dog eared. Every mutts taken a chew on it and its “Well Worn” once people notice that they can usually assume that there is issues, either the seller or the vehicle and people naturally steer clear. I know many deals where the product was viable but the seller was a liability. Our vacation home was a prime example… I was amazed it had not sold yet, but the seller was DEFINITELY the problem. Later a ton of people came by and thanked us for buying as they were very pleased to see that guys backside headed off into the sunset.
Mike said he paid $2k. He got a good score. But he also says she does this all the time and that’s what he is good at, so the inflated over the top price was not an accident. It was a flipper trying to milk the deal for every penny he could get. I buy and sell cars too. I have a simple philosophy. Get a good deal, give a good deal. I have had nothing but happy customers my entire life, never anyone who felt like they got “taken” and am never afraid of running into someone I may have sold a car to. Seems like mike has a few lessons to learn. Like at least wash it, clean it, vacuum it and air up the tires before you try and screw somebody.
Originality is great, and this is a great find in its own right but that price is way beyond ‘all the money’.
Way too much money. Theses people are nuts.
Hold it a minute. I was not going to comment about this but now I am. Did this silly flipper just come on here and say he paid this guy only 2000 and is now proud to ask 24000 and claim to be an expert on cars? When did you ever see a basic old Nova like this bring 24000? You did not. First off, you do not know what you are doing, second, nobody will ever pay anywhere near 24000 for this thing and third, you should be ashamed of yourself for bragging about your dirty little deeds on the older owner. Oh, you are also lazy, clean the thing up, take better photos and don’t include photos of the former owner. He and his family could drag you into court over that. I sure would. Think about it. If you get anything over 5k or 6k which I doubt, you should bring that guy another 1000. Now get out of here. I’m sure most everyone else on this site will agree with me.
Why so bitter and 5 to 6 thousand people spend more on rust repair and paint but that’s my opinion
Look something is only worth what someone will pay for it so values are made up anyway second I had permission to take his picture so he can’t sue third let’s hear from anyone on here that has a completely rust free Oringal paint car with one owner and what the paid I’ll wait..
And who decides what something worth? So I figured ones that are running in rusted condition people want 8000 this one’s all factory metal no rust and paint and interior and one owner all decimation why not ask more than the average price isn’t that what anyone does what make a house worth1 million dollars dollars cause it’s by the ocean something only worth what someone es willing to pay for it but I’m glad everyone a expert cause of Google my my research and hard wor is worth it to me
The market dictates the price. If someone is going to spend $24K on a Nova, they’re not going to spend it on a 1 owner 307 green car. I personally own a 69 Nova 2 door with an aftermarket small V8 built with all forged internals, roller camshaft, aluminum heads, an aftermarket 4 speed manual transmission built to withstand 700 hp, posi traction rear end, nice shiny emerald green paint with nice black vinyl interior, and I *might* get 20K for mine. And I have $15K invested in just the engine and transmission alone. Of course I’m not selling mine unless a stupid offer comes my way of say $50K, but thats ok I don’t want to sell but if someone wants to give me that absurd amount of coin, I’ll go buy 2 more Novas. Just saying the market dictates what it will bring. if you are truly looking to sell, then do the research, but it looks more like you’re fishing for a sucker, and if so then keep fishing because they’re a long ways from biting.
Someone once said “The first thing you should do when you find yourself in a hole is quit digging.”. Seller might consider those words.
Hey Mike…..CONGRATS on scoring that Nova so cheaply…..You know you got a great deal, and the seller was happy…..You scored, plain and simple. Personally think you’ll get about $7k for it, just because it’s a plain-Jane and almost too nice to hack up and modify. Ask whatever you want for it, just keep that VIN off the internet so you don’t get dragged down by all the negativity on this post…… The way I see it, is that you’re an old, fat, bald guy, that just married a smoking hot bikini model that’s half your age. Nobody is going to be happy for you, everybody is going to talk trash…I, on the other hand, take my hat off and applaud you, for both getting such a great deal, AND for being man enough to come clean….I would do I the exact same way….BRAVO……..Shame on all the haters…..
You must know the flipper dude. Nobody on Earth is jealous over this puke green basic Nova. I would not take any Nova for free. The issue here is the way the flipper acts like he is the king of the town. It’s clear each time he opens his mouth, he sounds more greedy. There is nothing to brag about here and nothing to be jealous about. People do not like to hear someone bragging about how they scored on an older person. That is what is burning everyone up here and nothing else. The car is a pos.
“No Dreamers-asking 24,000”
Alot of mad jealous people something again is only worth what someone will pay for it nobody is the boss of making prices on things enjoy Yr day haters
Why are we ganging up on the seller? Constructive criticism can go a long way here people. What are the best resources for determining prices on less common cruisers or muscle cars?
Vern, I agree that at times peoples comments can be mean or spiteful, and I complain often about so many people who dismiss a viable project as junk, (When they are NOT junk) But often, the sellers worst enemy is often themselves, Many example are out there and often discussed here. Bad pix, vehicle poorly presented, sketchy info, lack of important details,,,, But worst of all is the arrogant buffoon. I have often picked up vehicles from people who refused to deal with some of the local wheeler dealers because they are rude and abrasive. One friend called me and had just hung up on a guy and told him “Ill give these vehicles away to someone before I would ever sell to you. Sellers though can be jackasses at times. Dont know this seller but he presents as a very unpleasant person to deal with and I would never do business with him based on his responses.
Ya haven’t been rude at all everyone else has and car will be sold soon enough got alot of buyers lined up for this rust freeclassic
Has the car been sold?
It sold and will be spending the rest of its rust free days in Indiana.
So, did the seller get his $24K asking price?