Although the official U.S. Bicentennial birthday was still a couple of years away, Chevrolet got a head start on its celebration by introducing 4 special autos in 1974 to commemorate our Country’s independence, and probably also to help increase sales. For an additional $399, a patriotic trim package known as the Spirit of America, or corporately badged as RPO Z51, could be added to the Impala, Vega, and El Camino. Another recipient was the Nova, such as this one here on Facebook Marketplace in Cumming, Georgia. Priced at $35,000, this is one beautiful Chevy, and we’d like to thank reader PRA4SNW for finding it and sending us the tip!
While the Spirit of America package didn’t include any performance upgrades, it did provide some catchy cosmetic features, with the Nova featuring a white body with special red-and-blue striping running down the sides and over the roof. There was also a partial vinyl top, plus front-fender and deck lid graphics where the metal Nova emblems ordinarily resided, along with additional stripes on the hood, so passersby knew this was no ordinary Chevy, regardless of which angle they spotted it from. This one looks beautiful from the outside, and the once-chrome bumpers have been turned white, a nice custom touch that adds extra appeal.
Also in impressive condition is the interior, which features a mixture of red, white, and black components throughout. All of the Novas built with the Spirit Of America package were hatchback models, and there’s some serious cargo room back there, especially when the rear seat is folded down. White is an unforgiving color for upholstery, but the buckets and rear seat look great here, and finding the mini-console up front with gauges and a floor shifter definitely adds to the sporty feel inside.
A mostly stock 350 is under the hood, which should deliver plenty of pep to satisfy most drivers. The seller says the engine has fewer than 10,000 miles and also features a new Holley 550 carburetor, plus a set of headers to improve exhaust flow. The bay is also about as clean as the rest of the car, and although the cost here isn’t exactly cheap, this is one mid-seventies Chevy that might be worth considering at or near the asking price. What are your thoughts on this nationalistic Nova?
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