Following a complete redesign in 1968, the third-generation Chevrolet Nova became its most popular yet. Sales increased by an additional 37% in 1969 as the car underwent subtle annual changes through 1972. In 1969, the Super Sport’s top option was a 396 cubic-inch V8, so the seller’s Nova is more of a tribute than a clone, as a 454 engine was never offered from its 1970 birth. Looking rather stout, this Chevy is in Dover, New Jersey, and is available here on craigslist for a surprisingly low $19,000. Thumbs up to Rocco B. for the tip!
Most 1969 Nova Super Sports came with the 300 hp, 350 CI L48 V8 (60%). The rest were either the 350-hp L34 396 or the 375-hp L78 396. The latter two big blocks were scheduled again in 1970, but were gone after that, limiting the SS Nova to a 350 powerplant. The 1969 model year is noted for the absence of the Chevy II moniker on the cars, as it had appeared since the compact’s launch in 1962.
No history is provided on this ’69 Nova, but we’re told it has traveled 130,000 miles. Since no evidence of it ever being a Super Sport is provided, a guess is that this car was an ordinary Nova at birth. Maybe it had a V8 (307?) or possibly the base inline-6 (250), but a crate 454 from Summit Racing now resides under the hood. If you go to their website, you’ll see these motors go for a large portion of the asking price of this car.
This Chevy has the unusual combination of red paint and a red bucket seat interior. Both have probably changed over the years, and there are still air-conditioning vents in the dashboard, but there is no A/C in the car. A 4-speed manual transmission accompanies the 454, but of what variety? While this Nova looks great and runs well, it presents more questions than it does answers.
Wow 👌 I’m into it!! I love Novas. I had a 74 with a 350 automatic. Love everything about a Nova. The price is incredible as the motor is worth a large percentage of the asking price as you mentioned. Hmmm, wonder if he’s interested in a clean 83 K10 shortbed? I’d be happy if he was
Yeah, the ’69s are especially appealing to me. When I think “jacked-up muscle car”, the ’69 Nova usually comes to mind. Normally I’d be a manwell transmission proponent, but I think when racing in a straight line, I prefer a superior machine/computer do the shifting.
Not for everybody, if the ad is real, it’s not a rust bucket and it matches the pictures it’s a great deal. I’d want to see it in person, but wouldn’t wire money for a deposit to hold the car.
Steve R
That was my very first thought. Very likely a scam.
When Craigslist was created, it was only meant for selling locally. You have to be a chronic gambler to wire this guy money. Maybe it’s legit, and someone is going to score themselves a great deal.
To low likely a scam to bad looks good
I’m old enough to remember these when they were new. I had at least 6 or 8 friends who drove Nova’s, everything from 68 with the 153 4 cylinder and a stripper rubber mat 69 with a 307 with a 4 speed, to a 72 350 automatic “Sky Roof”, a few SS 350’s and two 4 speed backed 396/375 SS’s.
This quite possibly is a real SS. The hood, and grill are correct, but it also has the correct steering wheel SS emblem which often gets overlooked on SS conversions.
I think I’d add a reproduction full length console with the auxiliary gauges and paint the side louver trim body color (like they originally were). I’m not crazy about the wheel tire combo on this car, they look too big to me. I think some wheels with less offset and slightly smaller tires would fit the wheel openings better and eliminate the need to raise the rear. The rear wheel openings were the one weak spot to Nova’s, the shape prevented using wide rear tires without going to shackles or air shocks.