From 1962 to 1968, Chevrolet’s leading compact (remember, they also sold the Corvair) was branded the Chevy II. From 1969 forward, it became simply the Nova which had previously been the highest trim level. This ’69 Nova is a rusty project that has a running small-block 400 V8 under the hood (it’s a replacement as that motor wasn’t available in any Chevy until 1970 and not the Nova). Located in Maple Shade, New Jersey, this compact is available here on craigslist for $4,500. Thanks for the Bow-Tie tip, Mitchell G.!
The third generation of the Nova (1968-74) was slow to catch on but saw a 38% increase in activity for the 1969 model year. More than 251,000 of them were built and 88,000 had some sort of V8 under the hood (307, 350, or 396). The cowl tag on the seller’s car says this Chevy had a V8 from the factory, and if we had to guess it probably was the 307 cubic inch edition. If memory serves, the 350 or 396 would have had script above the front fender side marker light to boast those options. Somewhere along the way, the car now has a 400 with a TH-350 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. It “sounds good” and sports some Edelbrock and Holley performance upgrades.
We’re told the Chevy Nova runs and drives but has been sitting for several years so things like tires and a cleansing of the fuel system will be needed. An external gas can is required to coax it onto the back of a trailer. There is no indication that someone was intending to build an SS clone at some point, just beef up what may have been a basic Nova.
The sheet metal is rusty in all sorts of places, and we suspect there is trouble brewing where you can’t see. So, expect to spend time and money rectifying problems in the fenders, floors, quarter panels, hood. and especially the trunk. The posted mileage is one million, which we suspect indicates the seller went overboard in reported zeros. The seats may have been redone once, but they will need it again along with the door panels, floor coverings, and probably the headliner. Since this won’t be a numbers-matching project, what would be your vision going forward?
Once again, tip of the hat to Russ for making me feel right at home. By gar, it’s been a while since I’ve seen vehicles like this, but they were the staple of every kid, who didn’t have the luxury of having the folks( or grandfolks) buying them some Shelby GT500, THIS, on our pump jockey salaries, is what we “settled” for. We all took turns, each killing the car more, until ultimately, this is what was left. I think it’s pretty ridiculous to think anyone would even try and save this. Yank the motor and crush city. It had its time and adios to the rusty Nova. Nothing to see here.
With all due respect that 400 is not worthwhile either.
The 400 in stock form left a few things to be desired but de-stroke it to a 377 and they really came to life!
Agree that 400 small block is the most valuable part of the sell…some of chrome, grill, ect has some value to
My first car, in 1976, was a 1970 Nova. I was 16, and used my paper route and grass cutting money to buy it. It cost me $900, and was a show car compared to this rotted out piece of scrap. Even at that tender age, I’d have run from a car this bad.
Ok. Here’s what happens with these….
The rust is very extensive and all encompassing….
Someone will attempt repair. Once you start grinding, you can’t stop…it is literally everywhere….
Grind for awhile, give up..attempt to weld. Welds either won’t work at all because of grounding issues, or the won’t hold because the metal is compromised.
Grind down to bare metal and you discover there isn’t enough structural metal left to save….and nothing to weld on or to.
Road salt got this one. It isn’t salvageable….too far gone. Once that rust begins, there is no halting it. Even if removed from winter driving, it will continue to rust…even sitting in the garage….humidity will continue the rust…
Either it gets parted and crushed now, or someone attempts a huge bondo and paint job and sells it to other unknowing fool.
It’s likely not safe to drive with such extreme rust. You don’t even need an accident to get hurt.
Spent 55 years in Wisconsin….seen it many times…the frame can snap or an axle can fall right off simply by driving over a railroad crossing…
Lots of people get hurt….don’t do that…just part it out…seriously…
That’s a lot of money for something that will require a massive amount of work to restore usable condition. I hope anyone who’s interested will look it over and underneath very thoroughly before making an offer.
Unfortunately this nova is to far gone there are a lot of them out there that are in good condition for around 25 to 30k
I think there are better Novas than this to make a project out of. I see good parts here as long as you’re not looking for body pieces.
One funny seller, I tell ya………….
Based on the side marker lights, pretty sure this was originally a 6 cylinder car. Not that it makes any difference in this case.
My how times have changed since I’ve gotten older, when I was 16 to 20 something I would drive this thing and think I had the coolest Nova around now it reminds me of Beverly Hills cop and I’m thinking is that thing even safe to drive, then I think there’s only one way to test this.
Looks like they went across the border to pick it up.It sure looks like One of our Pennsylvania cars. Scrap at best.
Honestly, I can’t imagine someone buying this car to “improve” it. You couldn’t get more than a few hundred if you sold the big parts individually.
Gotta love it when the trunk drip rails are gone to ton worms.
Get some old Milwaukee brewskis in a case. Then drink with the buds and make some toast while spinning some BS on how fast it went or that hill it jumped as a kid. The next morning yank the engine and drive train and scrap the rest.