Choosing a worthy project candidate can be challenging, particularly if the buyer wants a classic free from significant rust issues. This 1972 Chevrolet Nova ticks that box because it is a dry climate survivor. The small-block V8 under the hood could be the icing on the cake for a car that offers a world of possibilities. The seller has been its custodian for twenty years but wants it to head to a new home where it can receive the love it deserves. Therefore, they have listed the Nova here on Craigslist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have set their price at $10,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this promising project.
Chevrolet released its Third Generation Nova in 1968, with the car remaining on sale until 1974. Our feature Nova rolled off the line in 1972, with its original owner ordering it in Gulf Green Metallic with a Black vinyl top. The paint shows its age, although it has avoided the baked appearance that can develop on cars from this area. The panels have some bumps and bruises, and the vinyl is starting to deteriorate and develop small splits. Addressing this quickly would be wise because it is the ideal place for moisture to work its way in to wreak havoc on the steel beneath. There are a few rust issues, but none appear severe. It is visible in the lower rear quarter panels and is beginning to emerge from under the chrome trim bordering the vinyl. There is also evidence of cracked Bondo in one front fender, and rust may develop below the surface. The seller doesn’t specify problems with the floor or trunk pan, and that probably isn’t surprising considering the dry-climate life this Nova has led. The issues mentioned are patchable, and an enthusiast with reasonable welding skills should have no trouble tackling them in a home workshop. There are some cracked plastic items, but the trim is generally okay, and there are no glass problems.
Buyers could order a 1972 Nova with a 250ci six under the hood, but this car’s original owner splashed the extra cash on a 350ci V8. The numbers-matching small-block is bolted to the original three-speed Hydramatic transmission, sending 165hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels. Performance was considered respectable for what was never intended to be an outright muscle car. However, extracting extra ponies is straightforward courtesy of the wide selection of bolt-on goodies available “off the shelf.” The seller purchased this gem in 2004 from the original owner in San Jose, California. It served for years as their daily driver and is in excellent mechanical health. They say it runs well, and the impressions are it is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
When examining the interior shots, I was bracing for a horror story, but this Nova surprised me. The interior isn’t perfect, but it has avoided the “baked” look that afflicts many older classics from this region. The original owner replaced the Green cloth and vinyl upholstery, which remains in excellent condition. The seats aren’t worn or torn, the headliner is spotless, and the carpet is impressive. The cracked pad hides below a cover, and some painted surfaces are scratched. There are a couple of cracked or damaged small plastic trim items, although the rest appear okay. However, it is presentable, and lifting its appearance to a higher level shouldn’t break the bank. The seller indicates the air conditioning and heater have been bypassed, but the new owner benefits from a Pioneer CD player for entertainment on the road.
This 1972 Nova isn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t expect it to be at the asking price. It is a solid and unmolested classic that could serve equally well as a faithful restoration project or the foundation for a custom build. Its rust issues appear minor, and extracting extra performance from its small-block would be straightforward. Its strongest asset could be that the new owner can enjoy it immediately while devising their plans for its future. Would you do that, or did you work it out before you reached this point in the article? Would you pursue this beauty further if that is the case? I wish you luck if you do.
This car is one of the few post-1970 Chevrolets that wasn’t a piece of crap.
And that’s because it was left over from the ’69 design, which was, in my estimation, maybe the perfect car of the era.
Good design, adequate power (even with the 250-6), good everything before GM went totally cheap with sheet metal and cheap plastic with the interiors. It really filled the bill as a 2-door, and made for a good family car as a 4-door. And it could be hot-rodded too. What’s not to like?
Sums it up perfectly.
I had the same vintage Ventura, and I loved that car.
Has salvaged title
The seller bought it in 2004 and it had a salvage title then-a question to ask would be if they knew why..
Looks decent from the photos tho.
I’d be concerned about the salvage title, especially given the bent bumper and taillight panel at the trunk lid. These cars were unibody with a front subframe, so I’d check to make sure that unibody is square and true by putting it on a frame table before going any further. A bent front subframe can be replaced with an aftermarket front subframe from Art Morrison or Heidt’s (it’s a bolt-in operation with the engine and transmission out of the car), but if the body itself isn’t straight, you’ll likely have no end of troubles even if the shop can pull it back into shape on the frame table, so I’d take a pass if the body took a heavy hit. The car hails from New Mexico, so at least flood damage is an unlikely reason for the salvage title. Putting a full frame underneath it is possible, but expensive, unless you plan to race it in Pro Stock class, when it might be necessary to keep the unibody from twisting itself into a pretzel, LOL!
Assuming no hidden damage or bad rust issues, I’d put a new vinyl top on it, get the heat (maybe it needs a heater core) and A/C working, preserve and enjoy it for what it is, a pretty well cared for Nova in really good shape for it’s age and still looks original. Most of these rotted away, or were run into the ground and junked, like my Aunt’s 71 Nova coupe, 307 2bbl w/powerglide, AM radio and power steering as the only options. It was white with a white interior and had the same hubcaps as the one listed here. I hope it finds a good home, and doesn’t get turned into some ridiculous, tubbed hotrod that can do the 1.4 mile in 2 seconds but looks like a toy and is useless except to hold down a big trailer on windy days.
$10K–have people lost their minds? BTW had one of these years ago, and it sure used a lot of gas.
Must’ve been your dtiving
My Dad had this car except it had the smaller engine and was a hardtop. I learned the art of Bondo working on it!