By the late 1970s, the Chevrolet Nova had shifted from being Chevy’s compact hot rod darling into more of a practical, everyday coupe. Still, these cars make a great entry point into classic car ownership thanks to simple mechanicals, affordable parts, and endless potential for upgrades. This 1978 Chevrolet Nova, listed here on eBay and located in Summerville, South Carolina, is a running project with 47,029 miles on the clock and a clear title. Thanks for the tip Mitchell G.!
The seller has owned the Nova for about five years and notes that it’s spent most of that time in a garage. Under the hood sits the original six-cylinder engine paired to a three-speed manual gearbox. The car starts, runs, and stops, but it’s not road-ready just yet—it’s running rich, and the seller admits it hasn’t been driven more than 20 miles in recent years. Still, it will drive onto a trailer under its own power, which is already a big plus for a project.
A number of updates have been handled in recent years, including a new fuel pump, alternator, and aluminum radiator. The previous owner also added new taillights, fresh emblems, and a replacement radio (though the latter doesn’t work particularly well). The seller will include several extra parts to help the next owner along, such as a Camaro steering column set up for floor-shift use, two new body bushings, and a replacement radiator support (the original is badly rotted).
As for condition, the Nova is very much a project. The trunk leaks, the quarters appear to have some bondo near the bottoms, and there is rust in the driver’s floor pan and part of the trunk. Otherwise, the car is said to be “pretty solid.” The body shows some dings, but nothing major, and the interior will need a complete refresh—driver’s seat is worn, door panels are rough, and the headliner is missing. On the plus side, the gauges, blower motor, lights, wipers, and windows all function.
This Nova is a blank canvas. You could bring the six-cylinder setup back to health for a unique, original-style survivor, or go the route the seller considered—dropping in a small-block V8 for some 1970s-style fun. With plenty of parts available and a large enthusiast community, these Novas remain popular project cars for good reason.
Would you restore this Nova as a period-correct driver, or take the opportunity to build it into the V8 street machine the seller had in mind?
Rather than do another Nova with a V8 swap, if the next owner isn’t keeping the OG straight six I’d source a Vortec 4200 to swap in
I love that Vortec 4200, a.k.a. the LL8! A nice twist on a traditional engine swap! I keep thinking how a restomodded Firebird would work with one of those under the hood instead of a V8 or a Chevy six! Some folks have built versions of the Vortec 4200 to make close to 500 hp! It’s too bad that GM always seems to cancel new engines and new cars just as they get the bugs worked out of them! See: Corvair, Fiero, 215 Aluminum V8 and the DeLorean OHC six for details!
I’d keep a Firebird with the DeLorean OHC six, though! I also think a KinDigIt Design replica of a first-generation Corvette would work well with one of these under the hood! Now, where did I put that Powerball ticket? LOL!
Well, it’s already got the racing stripes. That’s half the battle right there.
I’d keep looking, this is pretty rusty and worn out. Someone willing to put in some time and effort can find something better, probably for less money.
Steve R
‘78 AND a three-speed manual. Surely one of the last of them. Should count for something.
Sort out the brakes, suspension, and fuel/air, then daily it with the six til it rots out from under you. I think $3500 would be a fair offer
My first car was a ’78 Nova. I do plan to own another at some point, but this one just needs too much to justify it. I do like the 3 speed though. Not a lot of those from ’78.
I agree that the manual gearbox is an attractive element to this car. But a rotted out project has me running away screaming, no, no, no!
A floor-shifter 3sp is indeed rare! This would make a nice rolling project.
The seller converted it to a floor shift.
Steve R
I had a ‘75 Nova SS back in the early ‘80s, with a 350 2 barrel and a 3 speed on the floor. Silver and black with a black bench seat interior. Wasn’t fast, but it was good looking, handled well and was fun to drive with the stick. Wouldn’t mind having another one someday
SOLD for 5K.
3 Bids.