Facebook Marketplace ads are always light on information, and that’s the case with this fairly rare and snow-covered 1964 Chevrolet Nova station wagon in Marion, Ohio. The owner wants $13,200. This particular car is very nostalgic for me, because my parents had a nearly identical white 1963 Nova wagon when I was a young teenager. It was a darned good car, though I think it was gone before I had my license. We lived on a hill, and my mother failed to put it in park, whereupon it rolled down and left a sizeable dent in the tailgate. The car still ran fine. We never got it fixed, so the way back was now inaccessible.
So what do we know about this very similar 1964? It’s a six-cylinder auto just like our old car, and “everything works, except the dome light and the horn.” The ad says, “Needs very little to be a show car.” But that seems a bit much. It’s more like a nice driver, sourced from the south and a “very solid ’64.” Indeed, the undercarriage shows only minor surface rust. New on the car are the brakes, tires, and gas tank. It “runs good,” and the owner is open to trading it for a Willys Jeep.
The “compact” Nova/Chevy II was of semi-unibody construction from the beginning and first appeared in 1962 as competition to the Ford Falcon, which debuted in 1960. From the beginning, it was available in two- and four-door sedan versions, plus a 400 convertible (my high school car, actually, in bright red) and station wagon. The Chevy II was a hit—my convertible, probably the rarest of the lot today, sold 23,741 units.
In 1964, the new Chevelle took some sales away. For the first time you could get the 195-horsepower 283-cubic-inch V-8 in the Nova. Tom Waits sings about “buying a second-hand Nova from a Cuban-Chinese”—maybe it was one of these hot rods. The six in the 1964s was all-new, a 230-cubic-inch unit, replacing the Stovebolt. The Sport Coupe was briefly out of the 1964 lineup, but demand brought it back. Chevrolet sold 35,670 four-door Nova station wagons in 1964, not bad.
If you’d been looking for a cool old wagon, this Nova could be the end of the trail. Mechanical parts are easy to find, and this one doesn’t need any body panels or interior trim (of which there isn’t much).
The $13,200 being asked for this Nova isn’t totally out of line. Classic.com sees 1964 Novas at an average of $30,000. That may seem crazy, but a ’64 Nova wagon nearly identical to this one (but with less than 6,000 miles) reached an epic $51,700 at auction last year. Wagons like that are cool. A pity I didn’t keep our ’63, but it’s the ’62 400 convertible I had in high school that I really miss.
Type of old Chevy that was used for bracket racing back in the day. good find.
this is a good find and agree the price is pretty fair. i would bet 10k cash would do it but a close in person inspection would be needed though before handing out some Bennys
I can think of a couple crazy things to do with this ride like a mid engine 454, although I’m sure its already been done.
If I could still surf…
A sad day when someone that claims to be a car guy would think of butchering something like this
“Close to being a show car”? Do tell. Now, I will admit that it has been many my moons since I have attended a car show, but I can’t imagine that this is now considered “show quality”.
This car sounds like a lot of Sentimental Value has been placed on this Nova. It’s a nice find but a head scratcher.
Perfect for a small block …sleeper
Show car??? I can spot at least two rust throughs from the one photo not to mention the rust around the fender emblem😄
The old “stovebolt 6″ refers to the 235 cu in engine (261 truck version) that was a thowback to the 1930s. From 1953 it was called the Blue Flame 6 by then and 1962 was the last year of that solid old engine in US made full sized cars. 1962 was also the 1st year for the modern GM Turbo-Thrift 6, the 194” in the new Chevy 2. That engine grew to 230,250 & 292(truck) versions and shrunk to the 4 banger which was standard in the Chevy 2 for awhile before it was dropped. Of course the V6 supplanted the GM inliners for decades but inline 6s are making a comeback with several manufacturers. :-) Terry J
We had a similar 62 Chevy II wagon for years as a 3rd car. 194 that developed
the knock from a cracked skirt on #1 piston. Swapped in a 250 from my older
sisters wrecked 70 Nova. Sweet little cars. Would love to have this 64….
We called it the Pygmy Wagon lol
I had a beautiful 63 and nearly cry every time I see me now.
I know where there’s a yellow parts car for this
Not a dime over 8K.
Need15k more to make a show car out of it
Precisely. Instant I saw it my mind said 8 & change. Take 8 stacks & wave 6 at him to start the defrost process.
It’s cold out there right now in the land of disposable income. My uncle is into long roofs & would have a fit over it. Wish I could score it for him.
Would make a great tow vehicle for my 64 nova to the dragstrip. Might need a few upgrades for towing but would be nice.
These model novas are my favorite.
I know some will disagree but I’d probably want to put a small block Chevy and a 4 or a 5 spd in it. Just a 70’s type of fun car not a crazy restomod .
I agree Jim. But don’t forget that the Chevy 2 takes a different oil pan (front sump) and associated pump pickup tube etc. Plus on a stick shift version the factory Chevy 2 V8 engine block had a special threaded casting built into the rear of the block near the bell housing for the clutch swing arm. I learned both facts the hard way circa 1966. :-) Terry J
Me as well. Had a ’64 factory 283 4 speed and picked up an L-79 out of a totaled Vette in ’67. I knew about the oil pan difference, but not the clutch ball. Had to make a template out of 25 ga. sheet metal and have a machine shop bend up a bracket to relocate it. Also couldn’t find any tucked in headers so had to go with Hooker fender well units. Lot of tough lessons for an 18 year old on that car.
LOL oldrodder, My lesson also came from swapping the stock (6 cyl) engine out for a ‘Vette 327 out of a rolled Sting Ray into my ’62. What a screaming fast little red car it was but it sure broke things. :-) Terry J
I can relate. Mine definitely had some serious “boogie shoes” after I got it put back together. It was fun for a while, until the other “street fighters” figured out that it wasn’t just a 283 Nova anymore. LOL
CORRECTION: Forgot a step. Dad and I first put a junkyard 283 into my ’62 and it ran for a year or so until I came across the 327 deal. The 283 version was a better car though not nearly as fast. If I went back in time I’d put a Powerglide in it with the 327 since I blew up 3 speed trannys and 10 bolt rear ends on a regular basis. Of course an 11″ clutch & cheater slicks added to that problem. :-) Terry J
I scattered two 10 bolt third members before an older guy that had kind of taken me under his wing modified a ’57 rear end to fit the Nova. His reasoning was that changing gear ratios was easier with the Hotchkiss type center section.