It’s not easy to prove that a third-generation Chevy Nova is a real Super Sport or a clone. The VIN and cowl tag don’t have any telltale signs so it would take things like a build sheet or window sticker to clear the air. The seller says this ’71 Nova is an SS and has its original engine, which is not in the car having been replaced by another motor of the same displacement. Exported from Arizona to Illinois within the past year, this car has a lot going for it, but it also sounds as though the buyer is going to have to do a little reassembly. From Mount Prospect in the “Prairie State”, this Chevrolet is available here on craigslist for $25,000. A nod goes to Pat L. for another nifty tip!
Along with the Chevelle SS 396, the Nova SS of this era is a popular car to clone. According to sources, 7,016 Novas were ordered with the L48 350 cubic inch V8 that produced 270 hp (down from 300 due to a lowering of the compression ratio to run on unleaded fuel). The 396 from the year before was no longer offered in the Nova as manufacturers like Chevy were getting pressure from the insurance companies regarding muscle cars.
As the story goes, this Chevy has been in Arizona since Day One and had been owned by a friend of the seller since 1986. It had 71,000 miles on it until the seller acquired it eight months ago, adding another 3,000 miles on a good-running car. Originally finished in green, it was painted red and had the trim blacked out in 1981. The paint has held up pretty well, but it’s not perfect. But the good news is that all the sheet metal is original, and you might find only a spec of rust here and there. The undercarriage is said to be impeccable.
The seller doesn’t state whether the original engine and 4-speed transmission will come with the deal since there is a functioning set-up in the auto already. The factory 12-bolt rear end is still in the car. Some aftermarket tweaks have been made to the 350 that’s installed, so the Nova should perform even better than new. The seller provides a listing of newer parts that have been installed, like the starter, flywheel, clutch, suspension pieces, brakes, fuel pump, alternator, gas tank, and more.
Refurbishment work on the interior is a work in progress as the bench seat is waiting to go back in. New tires are resting on Rally wheels with 7-inch rims in the front and 8-inch ones in the back. If you can finish the few things the seller has left undone – and don’t mind a few little issues with the body – you could have a nice weekend cruiser and show-off machine for Cars & Coffee.
Izzat a first-gen Monte with ladder bars sitting down there?
It is . Roll cage too .
Love to see the big Montes flying down the 1/4👍 🏁
Sorry Bud those are Wheelie bars not ladder bars .
Wheelie bars not ladder.
I know of a Canadian built ’69 Nova which most likely came with a 307 motor, that turned into an SS 396 over three years about 12-14 years ago.
Weird excuses about the stamp pad, and some other things I noticed. Then, several months later those inconsistencies had disappeared. It was finally sold at a major auction as a “real” SS 396 car for around $50K.
Buyer beware.
Not an SS, missing SS door panels with SS embossed on the panels and a Plain Jane body sans chrome around windows outside, also missing ‘Gills’ on front fenders. Build sheet usually under springs in rear seat back, can be seen through trunk with flashlight if it has not been removed already.
The ’71 did not have the front fender “Gills”.
Need the build sheet…or the window sticker to prove its an “SS”….buyer beware…
Are there yellow lenses on the inner part of the tail lights which I believe would make it a non U.S. produced car.
need paperwork to be real “ss”…nothing but red allowed on rear lights.except for backups..
If the original engine and transmission are out of the car he could’ve easily posted numbers.
Nice memories here as I had a factory ’71 Nova SS back in ’76, Cottonwood Green with Black interior. Bench seat 4 spd 350 4 bolt main. The car had no carpet, just black rubber floor mat. AM radio and heater, no power options as I recall. Was a very nice driver and wish I had it back today. The listed car looks good but not sure about the taillights, as mentioned could it be a Canadian version? Also, the taillight surround frame was never painted black and should be aluminum.
Shouldn’t it a 136 in the vin which would verify it’s a SS?
As stated in the article, “it was originally green but painted red and the trim blackened out in 1981”