The Super Sport (SS) option was added to the Chevy II in its second year. To get it, you had to order the Nova coupe or convertible. For just $161 extra, the SS editions got you bucket seats, finned wheel covers, wider body-side moldings, aluminized rear panels, an instrument package, and the appropriate badging. We’re told this ’63 Nova SS was a one owner Chevy that was stored inside for the last decade. Originally from New Mexico, it’s now in Choctaw, Oklahoma and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.
Chevrolet launched the Chevy II in 1962 after the rear-engine Corvair didn’t fill the bill they expected as a pure economy car. The Chevy II was more conventional and would also appeal to buyers of the Ford Falcon, Plymouth Valiant or Rambler American. The car’s identity would eventually morph to the Nova and would see production over five generations through 1979, then as a sub-compact revival in the 1980s. The initial Chevy II was practical, but hardly exciting, so Chevy started to turn up the heat by adding the SS option in 1963. Unfortunately, V8 engines were a year away in the Nova, so SS buyers had their choice of two inline-six engines. We understand that some dealers would drop a 283 or 327 V8 under the hood for an extra charge.
For this ’63 SS, the seller says he has anything you don’t see in the photos. That would include all trim pieces, emblems, and rear bumper. There are no interior pics, but we’re told the car has the correct steering wheel and bucket seats. The Nova looks crusty after 58 years, but the seller tells us it’s solid underneath. There is rust at the bottom of both front fenders and one quarter panel, and the trunk is going to need a new pan. We don’t see any of the SS wheel covers the car should have come with new; instead whatever wheels and tires were available to load the car on a trailer are now present.
While dealing with these issues won’t certainly be unusual, there is some bad news. The motor, transmission, shifter and console are all missing. The don’t now whether the I-6 was the 194 or 230 cubic inch version, although the former was standard that year in the Nova. Neither do we know if this was a manual tranny or an automatic. So, you’ll need to source all those elements, but at least they’re already out of the way for your restoration.
The Nova SS was popular its first year, with some 42,000 copies being made out of total production of 335,000 units. While these don’t seem to command the kinds of prices the 1968-72 SS Nova’s do, several are offered online at any given time. $30,000 and up for stock original or restored or more if you want a restomod, which seems to happen a lot to these early compacts.
According to GM Heritage documentation there were just two engines available for the Nova in 1963; the 153 CI four and the 194 CI six.
true…. except they did make a 230 ci 6 cylinder engine that year.. A friend and i raced a 230 in a 1960 falcon in 1969 at the drag strip in Cordova, Illinois.
Highly modified…..best time quarter mile 12.97
Chevrolet parts dept from late 1962 to 1964 sold a six to eight conversion kit with V8 motor mounts, oil pan and pick up and gaskets, dip stick and tube and a short oil filter.. Optional were the center dump exhaust manifolds, and front brake kit. The kit was for non P.S. and P.B. cars. The clutch assembly was standard V8. Chevrolet used a common 3 speed trans for all passenger car V8 or Six. I did those swaps when the kits were still an over the counter item.
These parts were once available from the dealer for under $75.00. Care to guess the cost today, if they could be found?
V8 springs/rear were not needed?
AC front coils recommended, but as for the rear, there was no other choice until the late 64 and 1965 factory V8 cars came out with a heavier carrier, the 14 inch 5 bolt wheels and the multi leaf rear springs. Up to than it was 4 bolt 14 inch wheels, mono leaf and generic Nova rear
My first car was a red 65 nova SS 283 cu. in. automatic it was a sweet ride until some guy rear ended me while I was stopped to allow another car to park and it completely totaled it out.
I own 1963 with the 283 conversion. PowerGlide with factory air.
One too many zeros in the asking price, given the condition and the missing parts.
An early Nova SS’s in this condition have been selling for more than $800 for several decades. Their asking price is a stretch, but it might be close enough, price wise, for someone that’s tired of looking to bite.
Steve R
The owner of this car is very optimistic. I bought a 283 convertible with fi-tech injection and no rust for 15K. This car need every panel replaced or worked and no one has mentioned, it has no engine. I went with an LS3 connect and cruise package and Heidt front clip and Heidt 4 link with a Ford 9” rear end. This car does not have the bones to make that restoration worth while. If mine wasn’t a vert I never would have done any of that. This restoration would be a 60K car worth 30K. Buyer beware, but you can get just about every panel aftermarket. You cannot get the belt line trim anywhere except eBay for 2K maybe.
Looks like it’s a 4 wheel lug car thought all the SS’s were 5 lug but maybe that didn’t start until 1964. My ’64 SS was a 5 lug, 283 powerglide, on the floor shifter. Bought it for a bit of a high price of $2000 in 1989 but sold it for $2800 in late 1990 after my son was born. Nice profit back then considering I didn’t do anything with it except drive it. One issue I had was the front shock towers were a bit worn and the right one was welded when I got it. Just something to watch for.
Wish I had it now!!
I know they made thousands of these Chevy IIs , but they must have been severe rusters – I know they were in CT. They made more first gen. Falcons and less first gen Valiant/Darts , but you see more of them than these Novas . Its hard to find one that hasn’t been modified . Even though this one looks rough, its pretty solid though I doubt it will be restored to stock condition.
Somewhere there are 4 cars missing their temporary spares. Uh, no thanks.
my 63 SS Nova had 14″ 5 bolt front and back ….not the 13″ 4 bolt so who knows…the Nova for sale has the silver rear cove “an SS option
How can they be Nova’s prior to 68.
They where Chevy ll’s and Nova’s
in 68. Nova’s started in 69
Chevrolet introduced the Nova nameplate in 1962 as the top trim level for the new Chevy II compact. While Chevy’s first compact, the innovative (and ultimately doomed) Corvair, was aimed at the Volkswagen Beetle, the Chevy II was a counter to Ford’s wildly successful 1960 Falcon.
yes, everything was aimed at the Bug (in usa econoboxes). Just like the pinto/chevette, etc 10 yrs later in early 70s. We just didn’t win the 2nd round (still reeling). I like all these ‘dwn szed’ rigs & what followed. Like to get a wagon model (C II, ’61/5 or even ’65/7) and rest0mod, ie stealth/sleeper performance) even tho “a ford man’. The lines’n memories would be enjoyable PLUS gota right sized DD~