The compact Chevy Nova had one of its best years in 1972, selling nearly 350,000 copies. But less than 2% or 1 in 50 came with the new “Skyroof” option, which came with a factory, foldback sunroof (in today’s lingo). There hadn’t been a convertible in the Nova line-up since 1967, so this was a new way for buyers to let the sun back in. Located in Granby, Massachusetts, this Nova has that rare option and a Corvette engine where the original once was. The roof covering needs some work, but the rest looks pretty fair. The car is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $10,000 hasn’t been met.
We’re told this is a one-owner Chevy with only 51,000 miles. This begs the question as to why was the original 307 cubic inch V8 removed in favor of a Corvette 327. Was someone just looking for more performance or did the original motor prematurely give up the ghost? There are visual cues of a Super Sport like the SS hood, but if it had been a Super Sport, it should have had a 350 when new. The seller says this is an original car, but we wonder if anything besides the engine has changed (like the paint color).
Resources indicate that 6,822 of the 1972 Novas had the Skyroof option. And there is an accounting out there of the production numbers by paint color and the bronze/orange color on this car doesn’t seem to fit in with the list. The seller says the Skyroof still works, though the vinyl roof surrounding it looks troubled. The machine is in running order, so you can drive it as-is while you decide what to do with the rest of the automobile.
While a bit of surface rust is under the rear quarter panels, the only problem areas are in the front fenders and doors that attempts to repair were made and not done well so they’ll need a revisit. The 327 engine and TH-350 automatic transmission are said to do their job well. The tranny is floor-shifted, and a console was once there but has been removed, while the rest of the interior looks great. If you’re looking for a Nova that isn’t an SS clone (mostly) and has an unusual see-through roof, do you have room in your garage for this one?
Why change engine? 307is a boat anchor could be why. It seems sometimes people forget that there was a time period these were “just” cars. We bought and modified as we saw fit. Just saying. GLWTS
Matching numbers on a low output engine is meaningless to many potential buyers. As you said, for a long time these were “just” used cars. If your 307 engine was worn out you found a 350 core to rebuild. As for any seller claiming their car had a 327 Corvette engine, that used to be instantly dismissed as BS.
There looks to be signs pretty shoddy rust repair as well as repairs that still need to tackled. A thorough in person inspection would be wise.
Steve R
What engine went into what car was often based on the luck of what turned up within a few days of when the last engine failed. They were all just beaters in Eastern Mass in the late 70’s and early 80’s, some more beat than others. More than once I wondered if I was migrating parts in the wrong direction.
Interesting, I didn’t know Novas came with that roof option. The only GM car I knew of with a roof like that was the Buick Skylark, and I forgot what they called it. It looks pretty clean underneath, so if it’s only body rot and nothing structural, the car is worth saving and preserving. My Aunt had a 71 Nova 2-door with a 307 2bbll with a powerglide, I remember it being quite peppy when it was running right. That poor 307 was very badly neglected, and it lasted over 100k miles before it got wrecked in the 1980s.
Buicks were called sun coupes, I had a72 sky roof rally nova it was sunflower yellow with a black vinyl top 350 3 speed. Wished I knew then what I know now about these novas because I sold it in 1977 for 700 dollars. Hindsight will get you everytime
A high school buddy of mine bought a Skyroof Nova new in 72. He went to the dealer intending to buy a red 72 SS 350 4 speed, but his cousin who went with him convinced him there was something wrong with the SS’ clutch, and talked him into a red 307 Skyroof instead. His cousin always tried to pass himself off as some kind a car expert, but I always thought he was just a clueless, big mouth jerk. He was driving a tired 68 307 Powerglide Malibu with glass packs and I think he was jealous and just didn’t want his younger cousin driving a nicer and faster car. He only kept the Skyroof about a year and traded it for a used 440 sixpack 4 speed Challenger convertible.
That dounds like many buddies i have met , can’t stand someone having better than them ! Believe it or not , it never stops as they get older , they keep the same defective brain !
Antony comes to mind !
YOLO
Owned a 72′ 307 Nova/auto a long time ago.
My first car was ’72 Nova 2 door with a 250 six cylinder.
Paid $1,995 in ’74.
A variety not often seen today. Several were processed through my yard in the 80s. 307s were hated then. Nice running ones were basically given away. Like said above 350 or 400s were the ticket. Buick Skylarks had this option also. The car was called a sun coupe. I still have a set of those emblems from one I scraped. Surprised no one has bid as look how many ragged out, rusted hee hawed units cross this site with dreamers seeking far more. very unique unit today. If it runs nice, do it up and you will have an unusual unit that is seen far less than the usual SS versions.
Looks like Mojave Gold. There was a similar but more orange color.
I would say this it is the original color as it is the same where the vinyl top has been removed above the driver’s door.
I’ve owned several old Chevys with the 307. Strange engine, in that, you got all the disadvantages of a V8 (poor milage, weight, etc) and none of the advantages. They were severely underpowered, and at about 75k miles, you best be saving up for a rebuild. I certainly don’t blame the owner for swapping in a 327. No one cares about a numbers matching 307 anyway.
$12,000? seems high considering the condition. Good Luck.
Looks like someone hiding some rust after all its back East
The buick version was called the sun coupe. Looked at one back when I was 20 cool car I just wondered if it ever leaked water or snow into the interior.
Seeing that 72 Nova brought back memories. I owned it for many years in a hatchback. I moved from Ontario to a harbour in Nova Scotia with it. The day sadly came when I needed a long distance driving vehicle. My beloved Nova was then more than fifteen years old. It needed a lot of body work, but I had kept it in great mechanical condition. Locally I could not find a buyer who would give it a new life. The answer came from the sea. Back then Russian trawlers unloaded their catch on a regular basis. I heard that they would buy a cheap car. Apparently in Russia, behind the then iron Curtain, you were allowed to buy a new car. The process was, you paid full price in cash up front. Then you went on a waiting list. It could take upwards of eight to ten years to take delivery. I will never forget the sight of the crane lifting my Nova onto the deck of the large trawler as it was readied for the long voyage to Archangel Siberia.
Tony
Hate to let ratchevelles know but this ain’t no virgin.
This isn’t an SS in 1972 the only way to get an SS was with the L48 350
The Vin would have a K in it to signify the L48 engine
Also this roof
Option wasn’t available in an SS
Note to author: There hadn’t been a convertible in the Nova line since 1963!!!
A 307 is not a terrible engine at all.
3 7/8 inch {3.875} bore as the 283 uses, 3 and 1/4 inch {3.250} stroke as a 327 uses makes 307 cu.
Years ago I worked at a machine shop that supported the local circle track racers. A sucessful racer tossed a rod in his 350 chevy during a 2 race double points weekend and didn’t have a spare engine.
Looking at spare cores I had, found one in the pile with the oil pan off and the crank casting numbers said it was a 327. would be good enough to build in a day and get him running again by the race the next night,
After pulling it apart and measuring the bore, it was not a 327 but instead a 307. Time was an issue and the driver said to build it anyway. He didn’t need power other than making laps to stay in the points.
Hot tanked it, new cam bearings, hone and polished the crank. 306 duration /.500 lift cam was installed with a decent set of double hump heads from the blown 350 engine. I figured it might make 1 race and thats all we expected out of it.
The little 307 set a new track record the next night and won the race, It ran the rest of the season winning many more races.
Was actually protested and we had to tear it down after a race to prove it was WAY legal and WAY worn out.
After the protest and teardown it was retired from the track and put in a street car and ran many more years.
My new 72 nova had a 307. Happily it was devoid of the complication of a smog pump. It ran good for 150k miles.
Turns out after being torn down it had been running on 7 cylinders for most of it’s life. A the cam was victim of Arco Graphite oil that evaporated.
I have a 1971 original 307, ac, power steering
With a Turbo 350. 65300 original miles. I matched the vin with Chevy at the Detroit museum. They have all the records from all the builds. Mine runs great and turns heads. I’ve had 2 ’71s.
Is it a 350 or 307? What did the records say?
Hi, had a 68′ malibu in 73′ from orig. owner w/13,369 mi’s. 307 w/pglide(slush pump. hated that trans. I put headers on it! these engines were so choked-up no wonder boat anchor man hates them! maybe he should use the 2spd slush pump for that,when it lands on foot…won’t hurt as much! most 307’s had the slush pump/skinny single exhaust! hence headers…got them from a dirt track racer! 6-pak and a few bucks! night/day performance…yes, performance! got them on 10 or 11pm…straight headers..took it for a spin wow!! county sheriff not real trilled. take that anchor-man.