During the muscle car era, the Chevy Nova was considered a compact car and while by today’s standards it is a big car, in those days it was small compared to the other muscle cars on the street. Even though it was a compact car, that didn’t mean you couldn’t fit a big engine in it. This 1970 Chevy Nova SS was ordered with the 396 V8 and was used for racing. The current owner started restoring it, but as it often goes, life got in the way. They have pulled it out of the barn and posted it here on craigslist. Thanks goes to Mark for the tip!
The Nova is by no means a limited production car, as a matter fact there were over 250k built in 1970 alone. That being said, there were less than 20k built in ’70 with the SS option and only a handful were sprayed in this factory promotion Hugger Orange. While the bright orange paint hurts the sleeper image, it gives this Nova a sportier look. It even looks good being towed by a John Deere tractor. Let’s just hope the seller is being honest and this really is the original color.
For 1970, the 396 was actually a 402 cui V8, but Chevy continued to call it a 396 for use in their cars. The seller has already rebuilt most of the motor, but it still needs some work before it will run. We would be sure to check out all the numbers on this one to make sure it is a really SS396 and that it has the correct block. The seller has done some modifications to it, so it will be interesting to see how much power it ends up producing.
wonder if there is a chance the original tranny is around. He says the one with it is new
Not original engine or trans. could be a nice car but never worth over the $50,000 price the seller states, but sure has a lot of potential. Wouldn’t mind having this one but $15,000 seems a little steep to me.
Its rather strange, because you can find project Nova’s like this in SE Michigan for $1500-5000 range in the same condition, and usually have more parts(although worn out). I think this guy is optimistic on price.
A little bit high on price… I agree with Bernie 5,000 or less with factory motor and trans I could see paying more. Just saying
Price seems quite steep to me with it not having all of the original parts. Color is very cool though. :)
price to hi maby 3500 to 5000?
$15K is wildly optimistic. Photos of the interior would be helpful, but probably not necessary — it looks stripped. It’s worth 1/2 the asking price, and I’m more inclined to think $5K in this market.
Another Barret Jackson watcher, 15k, not!
I would give him 10,000. not the real motor and tranny
If the vendor gets $15K, I say more power to him. $3.5-$5K sounds more realistic. To even resemble original, the rims and traction bars would have to go. I’ve always liked the Nova SS but the only way I’d want it is bone stock.
I have seen many clones that people have sold for just as much, or even much more, completed with a decent paint job. This is the real deal with a paint code 65/65 and 27,000 miles. Chevy warranted motors and trannys all the time back then, It has a verifiable history, and look at the thing – it’s really nice. You guys have to realize that some people know what they have. Put $5k into the body/paint, and $5k into incidentals, (there are people with date correct parts for Novas all over the place) and this car will be worth every bit of $35- 50k. Boom you just made $10-20K PLUS it will never go down in value. They aren’t making any more of these you know, and it should be stated that like art this stuff goes up in value every year. Some lucky person will get the car they always wanted in high school. What’s that worth?
You guys watch too much TV…
In Mexico the name of this model was changed because “No va” in Spanish translates “It doesn’t go.” Just a chuckle for a Friday morning to see the big block motor (no doubt carefully put together) along with the necessity of a tractor to tow. There’s irony there.
Uh no, that is just a tired urban myth
http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp
“I am considering selling my beloved project car which has only 27,000 actual miles”
* Considering? You are either selling or your not.
*27,000 actual miles. 1/4 mile at a time.
Drag raced in Alaska?
Lots of loose ends on this one if you ask me. I agree. $5,000 is all the marbles for this one, Hugger Orange or not.
10k and many long nights to get it going. One of the few chevies I would keep. You’re also adding 1k for shipping & on/off loading with loose engine etc…….
The highly desirable rare color option of this car is enough to make it pricey. The fact that it is a BB 4-speed car is another point in it’s favor, and the fact that it has a traceable history is another. A couple K into some parts that are easy to find, a couple K into labor, and a paint job will make this a real prize. I could assemble this car in a weekend. You guys are wimps looking to make a buck off of someone else’s loss. Computer trolls are everywhere. Car buffs know what a valuable piece of history this is.
What will 15K buy you on the street? A pile of crap used up Hyundai? Maybe stick with your Hondas, and leave the big boys toys to the credible people that know what things are worth.
I have seen many many clones sold for more..
Look at the body tag.
Bodyman, next time try not to hold back your feelings :-)
I wouldn’t flip it, but I couldn’t afford it anyway. It would be a good keeper.