The Chevy II was launched in 1962 as a head-to-head competitor to Ford’s successful compact, the Falcon. Unlike the other Chevrolet compact, the Corvair, there was nothing revolutionary about the car, and it was simply a smaller Chevrolet. The seller has a sweet 1964 Chevy II in Nova Super Sport trim, featuring a small-block V8, available here on craigslist for $28,500. To see the car, you’ll have to trek to Waterville, Kansas (and this is another tip brought to us by “Zappenduster”).
Chevrolet had a hit on their hands, at least for the first couple of years. Sales reached 372,000 units in 1963, a number it wouldn’t best until 1974. But production fell by nearly 50% in 1964 because of the success of the then-new Chevelle, a mid-size offering that ate into Chevy II’s customer base. Things may have been even worse if not for the addition of a V8 in ’64 (something Ford had done with the Falcon in ’63).
A little more than 10,500 Nova SS models like the seller’s car were produced in 1964. However, we suspect that the 283 cubic-inch engine, as seen here, went into a minority of them. The seller isn’t big on details or history, but we do know the Chevy is numbers-matching with a floor-shifted Powerglide automatic, and the odometer has recently surpassed 100,000 miles. Bucket seats and a console come with the package as part of the SS trim.
We’re told the car is rust-free and the yellow paint looks good. As does the black interior, which may have had the front seats redone. It’s said to run and drive well, so has anything major been done to the drivetrain to accomplish this? The engine compartment needs detailing, especially if you plan to show off the vintage Chevy at Cars & Coffee. This seems like an overall nice ’64 SS that unfortunately found fewer buyers thanks to in-house competition.
Did the resident shrink answer their phone yet? ( thinking to self, the car, not the price, the car, not the price) I had a neighborhood friend, his 2nd car was a burgundy Nova SS like this, only a 6. His 1st car was a Corvair, that didn’t last long, and his uncle gave him the Nova, and was a sharp car for an 18 year old. Had a lot of fun cruisin’ in that car.
Unmodified early factory V8 Nova SS’s have been hard to find for a long time. If it were a 4spd or 327 that would increase its desirability even more. The seller doesn’t do themselves any favors by not posting more pictures and including more information, such as the segment of the VIN which shows if it came with a 6 or V8. It’s not inexpensive enough to sell quickly with that ad, if it checks out in person and the seller is negotiable a potential buyer might be able to strike a deal.
Steve R
Ad states “matching numbers”. It would be nice to see the numbers but between that and it is a 5 lug car instead of the 4 lugs that an i6 would have it seems like a V8 car
Steve R: While you are correct that an unmodified V-8 Nova SS is becoming increasingly hard to find, I’m afraid that finding one with a 327 would be impossible, as Chevrolet never produced one. The 283/195 was available in any ’64 Chevy II and in about mid-model run, the 283/220 w/ dual exhaust became available in the SS. The wide ratio M-20 Muncie 4 speed was available with either V-8 option. The 327/300 was an option in the ’65 SS and with that motor, one would run all night long with the single carburetor GTO, 442 or a 271 horse Mustang. One quick note about swapping a 327 into a Chevy II that came with a 283 originally, The V-8 block for a manual trans car was exclusive to the Chevy II due to the placement of the clutch shaft ball. There are kits available that relocate the ball, but back in the day, one had to deal with that with some shade tree fabricating. I know that because I bought a factory 327/365 for my ’64 and discovered that little anomaly when I dropped the new motor in.
All Nova blocks 283 or 327 have the clutch ball provision even if it had a power glide . 67 was the last year for the true duece block.
I found out the same issue. I had one with a 6 and had to find the correct block to make it work. Oil pan was different also from what I remember
I love the square styling of early Novas, but I think when they rounded the shape of the Nova it became one of the ugliest cars I have seen. The head of the national Nova club used to visit his parents’ house across the street from where I was living in York, PA in the 80’s and 90’s and he would show up in one of his Novas. All of them were ugly post cars.
agreed.
Most the pre-muscle had that advantage. Phoney and muscle developed the ‘round’ , also ‘the humps over the wheels’ both which were out for me.
After the 50s ‘bulge-m0biles’ of the 50s I really liked these (look for return in 80s) square ones (as all Big 3). Being small(er) was another plus (AMX, falcon/stang, the cheb) as you could mod w/BIG breaks, suspension/chassy, motor, etc ina lighter car.
Do miss my twin to this but mine was the light blue inside out. Shame I sold it at a right to a kid my father thaought was in need, Found out he had flipped it right away when tickets started showing up in my mail box.
had a maroon 1 46yrs ago bought for 100 bucks. wish i still had it
Looks a lot like the car Burt Lancaster drove in the film “7 Days In May” in 1964. Even rsrer
still would be A/C. That car had it as Lancaster drove it to a secret meeting in the desert. Anyhoo, it was a really nice car that made a lasting impression
on me after I saw the movie. Too bad that s lot of these “deuces” wound up being cut up and later wrecked by overzealous hot rodders who didn’t know when to
drive safely. Just saying….
I have 1965 Nova Wagon with a factory 283 . Made 1,710 not many left today. Lots of 6cly V8 swapped ones.
I had the twin to this. Mine was yellow, 283, powerglide, 5 lug wheels black vinyl interior. A nice car but had to sell it in 1991 because my son was born and he took precedence.
The only issue it had was those shock towers were favorite rust area and damage area. When I purchased the car, someone had poorly welded one of the towers.
For a 283, this relatively light car had some “Get up and Go”. I still have a photo of mine and wished now, of course, I never sold it!!