Chevrolet added a second compact, the Chevy II, to its ranks in 1962. That gave the manufacturer two players in the growing small car market. Unlike the Corvair, which had a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, the Chevy II was the product of the conventional engineering of the day. The seller has an original Nova Super Sport from 1963, which would have been the top-of-the-line model. Other than needing new paint and carpeting, the Chevy may be a sound driver. Located in Menifee, California, this likely survivor is available here on craigslist for $13,500. Our thanks go to Jack M. for this cool tip!
The Super Sport option would join the Chevy II/Nova in its second model year, 1963. It shared special cues like its big brother, the Impala, such as SS trim, SS wheel covers, and a bucket seat interior. A V8 engine wouldn’t be available until 1964, so buyers had to accept a 194 cubic inch inline-6 as the only power other than a 4-banger. Overall, Chevy II sales were up by 14% in ’63, and more than 42,000 buyers went for the SS paraphernalia.
We’re given limited information about this Nova. The odometer reading is listed as 100,000 miles, so the car hasn’t spent its life as a garage queen. A floor-shifted 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission flanks the I-6, and power steering was another option when the automobile left the assembly line.
While rust doesn’t seem to be an issue, the car’s white paint is past its prime. And it may not be 100% original, given the appearance of the driver’s side front fender. The interior looks solid, and the only obvious flaw is faded black carpeting, which would be easy to replace. Since we’re told the Chevy runs and drives, you may be able to take your time in getting around to a partial restoration.
Don’t think that carpet was ever black but who knows. Wouldn’t mind having it even with a 6 banger in it, always liked that style!
That’s an automatic shifter?!
I’d be all in on this one if it was in the southeast and not the west coast.
My first hot rod was a ’63 Chevy II 6cyl, auto. Dropped a built 350, 4 spd in it. 15″s in place of 13″s. It was scary and handled worse!
Traded it for a Yamaha RD350 and $900 and almost got myself killed anyway.
I was 17yrs old and hey – I’m still alive today!
Agreed, I had a 63 SS convertible .060 over 283 11:1 with three deuces, 4spd and 3.70 gears. Very fast but the the handling was horrible. I needed up smashing it up, I missed a corner at 100. I did mange to drive away from it but barely. it was junk after that. Kept the drive train and scrapped the rest
Your Chevy II would have been faster off the line with the 13″s – less unsprung weight & numerically higher axle ratio. The 1st batch of ’65 mustangs came with 13″s – even v8 ones!
My grandmother had a 63 Chevy II in the beige color. It was a base model with the only 2 options being an automatic and an AM radio. Maybe a heater was an option? Anyway she didn’t drive much and it was traded on a 71 Nova that had more options including rally wheels. The 63 had 27K miles on it and calls from all over the country came in from people wanting to buy it.
I had a red 63 Nova as a kid. Red SS with a white hardtop automatic 6 banger, 194. About 10 years ago I found a similar convertible and restomoded it. LS3, Ficht front end with tubular control arms with coilovers. R &P steering with a 4 link rear end with coilovers and a Ford 9” rear end. The car cornered like a go kart, but I was afraid to punch it off the line because that car came with 90 some HP and now had 450HP. Not sure how squirrelly it would get. Hurricane Ian put that beauty under 10’ of salt water and Haggerty ponied up the full value. They said I could buy it for 15K and my buddy that teaches auto restoration at the local community college said no way. Fresh water, maybe, salt water, never. He brought up a point I never thought of. Pinch welds and salt water don’t like each other. He said it would have to be dipped to get rid of all the salt inside the body panels. I passed.
nice nova price is right
another outstanding C/L ad chock full of info. shame too as it appears to be a solid survivor
1963 Novas came with 13 ” 4 lug wheels . Any high horsepower swaps involve changing to later 64 – 65 . spindles and a rearend swap. To get 5 lugs .
Decent Nova here and the price is right. No engine compartment pictures.
Looks like the front clip was replaced. Brighter white paint, plus missing side trim on both sides. Regardless, if this car were more local to me in the Midwest, I’d be looking into it.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Bill