The Chevrolet Nova was a popular compact car from its debut in 1962 to the last one left the assembly line in 1979. I prefer the 1969-72 versions from a styling perspective, and had a ‘70 edition I wish I still had. This 1974 Nova is being sold because its owner passed away, and a family member has been given the unfortunate task of disposal. It was a work-in-progress when he died, so it needs more work, including final mechanical touches and new paint. Located in a garage in Gresham, Oregon, this SS (or wannabe) is available here on craigslist for $6,000. Our thanks to “Curvette” for another Bow-Tie tip.
Chevy updated the successful Nova in 1973-74 to add a hatchback model to the coupe, and to accommodate larger bumpers fore and aft. That made the car heavier and bulkier looking than before, but sales continued to be strong. In fact, the 1974 model year had the marque’s best sales run at 390,000 units. The Super Sport was still offered, but the 396 cubic inch V8 had left the building in 1970, so a 350 was the standard SS engine. This car has one, and the fender script suggests the Chevy came with one from the factory.
We’re told the deceased owner of this Nova acquired it during high school, though we don’t know how many years ago that was. It was a good runner until he decided to make it better, adding an electric fan, pulleys, an intake manifold, and a carburetor. If we had the VIN, we could tell if the car is a factory V8 version, with or without the SS badging. But work stalled as he became ill, so the car remains an unfinished project. The raised hood that doesn’t match the rest of the car in color suggests this was a non-SS back in the day.
This vehicle could have 52k miles or 152k; the seller isn’t sure. A floor-shifted automatic transmission backs up the V8 (a TH-350?). The red paint is fading, and the passenger side door doesn’t quite match up to the rest. The Chevy has a black vinyl top that may be okay, but it’s hard to tell about the interior with the dark photos and stuff piled up in the front seat (likely a bench). Overall, the car is said to be in fair condition, and, with a clean title and bill of sale, this may be a great project for someone to finish to their tastes.
If you look at the old snapshots that the seller posted, you’ll see the front fenders have no “SS” badge on them
74 SS didn’t have any SS badges on them at all, except for the grille emblem. Everything else was decals, with stripes and an 8 inch tall “SS” decal on the front fenders. Also had all the chrome around the windows painted black. 73s had the iconic metal SS on front fenders and on the pax side of the trunk/hatch. I very much prefer the 73 style, and am using the 73 emblems on the 74 SS I’m redoing, along with a 70 front end which I prefer to the 74 style.
Replying to myself with a few more nits to pick, although I feel kinda guilty since the guy that did the project is dead. The 74 SS door panel trim is black, not wood grained, the vinyl roof on a 74 hatchback to the best of my knowledge was a “half vinyl roof” rather than the full one that this one has. Looks to me like the single interior picture was taken from between bucket seats. I think the remote control driver’s door mirror was part of the SS package. All in all, my guess is that’s a 73 rather than a 74.
At this point, by 1974 the “SS” option was nothing more than an appearance package and could be had with ANY engine, including the 6 cyl. Whether this is a true SS really means nothing, but as with any option, the more, the better. If this car has the L48 350 and it’s the original engine, it would help with the value. $6k it not overpriced and this car has the potential to be a fun project. Too bad it’s on the wrong coast.
Most reliable way to tell 73 from 74 is to look at the back bumper. 73s and 74s look the same, but 73s have bumper brackets, 74s have shock absorbers. Difficult to swap since sheet metal of rear end is different to accommodate the shock absorbers, and no real reason to do so. 73s had government mandated 2 1/2 mph bumpers, 74s had 5 mph bumpers.
This is why I got rid of all my car projects when I was still in good health, so my family didn’t have to go thru situations like this and get all stressed out. They will have to get rid of all his tools and whatever else he owned. Sad.
Looks like it has high back bucket seats to me. I don’t recall seeing a floor shifted automatic Nova with a bench seat, manuals absolutely. Was that configuration available in 74?
Seems reasonably priced for a project that is nearly complete even if it’s a mutt…
Pretty sure that shifter exited the lineup around 1969. It was usually mated to a 2 speed powerglide.
If it’s a 73-74 it has a turbo 350. Doesn’t mean it couldn’t have been changed.
Appears to have the gauge package, there is something in front of the shifter
You might be right Greg. If it does have the gauge package, it would have the tach as well.
not a real ss. nova with emblems slapped on it trying to make something it never was
Yeah, definitely a typical high school “custom” job.
GONE!