It’s refreshing when you run across an early 1970s Chevrolet Chevelle or Nova that hasn’t been transformed into a Super Sport clone. Such as this 1971 Nova that has what may be an original 350 cubic inch V8. One with a 2-barrel carburetor which was the stoutest you could get without upgrading to the SS. Other than needing a refresh of its factory paint, this Chevy may only need a new home. From San Diego, California, this survivor is available here on craigslist for $16,500. Shame I’m 2,500 miles away!
Chevy Nova’s sold during 1970, 1971, and 1972 varied little physically. Telltale little cues were things like different colored turn signal lenses and steering wheels. Sales were all over the board during those years, and labor issues may have been a factor. From 307,000 units in 1970, sales dropped 36% to 195,000 in 1971 and then they surged by 79% to 350,000 in 1972. We suspect that most ’71 V8 Nova’s had the 307 motor, but those with 350 were plenty potent (I had a ’70 with that engine, and in 1971 it was rated at 245 horses).
This Nova came equipped with a TH-350 automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and a vinyl roof covering, but the box wasn’t checked on the order sheet to upgrade the interior. For example, rubber floor coverings are here rather than carpeting. The odometer has turned over to 132,000 miles with no mention of any rebuilds having taken place.
If you’re curious, the original paint is Burnt Orange Poly (Code 62) and is beginning to trade luster for patina. Some mechanical work has been performed, including new brakes, carburetion, starter, and a flywheel (teeth get worn down?). This Chevy has a lot of potential, and hopefully not as an SS tribute or clone when we have so many of those already. An attaboy goes to T.J. for this tip!
68-72 were pretty much the same car
Great foundation for a project, but pricey for its condition. Someone may bite though he’d probably need to be negotiable on the price for it to sell anytime soon.
Steve R
I was thinking the same. It’s a nice [relatively] unmolested cat, but every aspect looks like it will take some work. The price is a bit steep considering that. (And where’s the original air cleaner?)
Ss or not who cares the looks good.
Very nice unmolested Nova! I no it costs money but if I changed the flywheel I would have probably had the transmission rebuilt just because it was out of the vehicle but that is just preference. Maybe add dual exhaust but all I have said is preference since I am a auto tech for 33 years!!
If you check the prices of having a transmission in California, even if you do the R&R yourself you might not have it rebuilt, especially if you were fixing it up to sell. About 3 years ago a friend wanted to have a TH350 rebuilt while it was out of the car, the best price he could find from local shops was $2,200 for a stock rebuild including converter, for that price if it’s working fine is it really worth it?
Steve R
Steve,
You’re right. I replaced my transmission in my 97’ F250 diesel in April. I wanted it built to handle towing.
Local shops were $6,500.
I ordered from Monster online. With shipping, including the core return, I saved over $2,000. It included a top of the line converter.
It came from Florida with a warranty. CA’s high minimum wage doesn’t help. Hi rents get transferred to the consumer.
Not sure why that is, but I concur Steve. It’s become difficult to even find shops to rebuild them now (I can find carburetor rebuild and tuning shops more easily). When you do find a shop, they tend to have long lead times and about $2-3k is the going rebuild cost here for a TH350 in the NYC area.
You don’t have to remove trans to R&R a flywheel on a chevy
Yes you do
Rebuild trans kit for 350 was 60 bucks in 1979
Identical, maybe the color name was different in 1971, to my ’72 that I bought from the second owner back in 1998. It was a little bit cleaner than this one, but the same black bench seat, vinyl top and burnt orange poly exterior. The only difference is mine had painted body color steelies and poverty caps. This one looks like a great starting point or to detail a bit and you’ll have a fun beater that you won’t need to worry about dings, scrapes and scratches with. If there’s one Chevy that’d detour me from BOP, it’d be another 68-72 Nova. This Nova is the type of condition I would look for. I like this one a lot.
I wonder if water from windshield/firewall/kickpanel leaks can actually seep under that heavy rubber floor covering.
Been in a wreck it appears. The whole front end is a different shade of whatever color that is.
A good solid driver that you can restore gradually, as time and money permit. That 350 can become a 383 with an aftermarket stoker crank and the rubber floor mats can be swapped out for a carpet kit in a day. If you want to build an SS clone, bucket seats and a factory console, while hard to find, are an option. This is a blank canvas, limited only by your budget and imagination! Aftermarket subframes that are stronger and lighter than stock are available and Dakota Digital even makes bolt-in instruments for these, that add gages and a tach to replace the stock “idiot lights”.
For a bulletproof if-u-don’t-paint-it daily driver or occasional errand runner or backup car, all you need on a ’72 or older nova without a/c is a 250 straight 6, powerglide, turbo muffler under the back seat area, a taller air filter, & a 3:08 rear.
No-name analog aux gauges are dirt cheap to buy, reliable, & easier to read than digital – especially at a glance. & i would not even bother putting on HEI.
I read that the expensive aftermkt subframes are not much lighter in weight than the stock one & if the one on there is in good shape, that should be fine for the street.
Check engine numbers don’t assume it’s a 350,this car has been around since 71..
I admit Chebbies are a mystery to me, but any other car I’ve worked on the ring gear on a standard transmission is on the flywheel. With an automatic transmission, the ring gear is on the flex plate.
Most people use the term flywheel regardless of which style of transmission you are dealing with. When I worked in auto parts you learn that right away, when a customer (even a mechanic at a shop) referred to flywheel, the response was always, automatic or manual transmission. Our job was to get them what they needed to fix the car, not correct them.
Steve R
I’d hoped to buy a new Nova in ’71, still have the order sheet. The damn dealer sat on the order, & then GM went on strike. By the time they settled, the plant had retooled for 1972! To say I was pissed doesn’t cut it. Prior to my anticipated delivery I’d accrued some damage on my trade (’69 SS396 convert). The dealer, in effort to assuage my anger said, ‘We’ll stand by our initial trade offer, for a Chevelle in place of the Nova (WITH the damage). I came out ahead.
The paint is “beginning to trade luster for patina”
One of the finest lines ever penned in automotive literature.
Sir, I salute you!
Seriously, a cool line.
If it’s a lifelong California car then it should still have its original blue license plate. It does not, which is a red flag on that claim.
DMV here would always try to take your old plate back in the day and hand you the reflectorized ones upon purchase of a vehicle. Some in urban areas DMV offices are a joke with lines around the building. Don’t discount the claim on that point alone as our DMV is probably responsible. They will try and take your black plates to this day.