The demand for muscle cars was waning in the early 1970s, thanks to rising insurance premiums and engine detuning for low emissions. Nova Super Sports from 1968 to 1972 are popular for cloning, though by ’72 only a 350 cubic inch V8 would be period correct. The seller’s SS is numbers-matching and is the genuine article, previously in storage since 1992. Now refreshed mechanically with some body work done, this muscle Nova is ready for someone to finish the job. A tip from Mitchell G., this Bow-Tie can be found in Midlothian, Virginia, and is available here on eBay for $19,750 OBO.
Chevrolet’s Nova (once known as the Chevy II) was still a big seller in 1972. Nearly 350,000 copies rolled off the assembly line that year with a scant 3.5% being Super Sports (12,309 units to be precise). The SS had a 350 V8 rated at 200 hp SAE net (300 in 1970 terms) with a 4-barrel carburetor. The seller says the numbers match here as they should at just shy of 80,000 miles. It was rescued by a marine engineer after sitting for more than 30 years. He set about making things right.
This SS has a floor-shifted automatic transmission, power steering, and factory air conditioning (though the single engine photo zooms in too close to see if the hardware is still there). In the past two years, this Chevy has been treated to a new gas tank and fuel pump, brakes, wheel bearings, and new carpeting (installed but not shown). The Nova is said to run well, and the seller has a video upon request.
Some body work was also needed and completed, including new inner and outer fenders, rear quarter panels, a rear trunk panel and the package tray. The machine rides on aftermarket wheels with newer tires. With new paint and some interior work, you could be ready for some red-light challenges (do people still do those anymore?).
I wouldn’t touch this with a 10 foot pole. There is a lot of intricate rust repair still to do, see dash and trunk floor with no mention of the rear window or passenger compartment floors. The trunk lid needs replacing lower fenders still have rust, engine needs to be rebuilt. The 1972 was far from the 68-70 models, the 350 now had low compression, a 12 bolt had been replaced 10 bolt rear. It’s hard to imagine a 72 pulling $50,000.
For an asking price of $19,750 it’s better to hold out, better cars in the price range are not hard to find.
Steve R
$20K and needs body and interior work? Yeah I get it that it’s a true K code SS car but that’s a bit much.
That’s a lot of dough for a 72 that still, as Steve and DW pointed out, needs a lot of work done to it. And that is assuming the sheet metal work that has been done was done correctly. I would imagine that there is a good amount of rust that remains in places not seen in the pics.
These look great when brought back to life. There are any number of mods and custom hardware that also look good on it, so you can take back to stock or restomod it, and it’ll still be a real beauty.
I have no idea what a numbers-matching restored ’72 Nova SS is worth these days, I tend to lose interest when the words “numbers matching” are involved. Personally, I’m of the opinion that if you want to ask for the big big money, you should probably finish what you’ve started, and then chase the market value.
Lotsa potential there.
can’t stop laughing 20k. yea ok good luck with that
For a laugh, read the Ebay add, the old Jordan , ” west of Laramie ” car add meets AI. This thing looks familiar, but the heaps are all becoming a blur.
$1975.00 would be more like it.
Rusty,beat up,worn out poorly equipped bowtie.