The Chevy II/Nova was a popular Chevrolet compact sold from 1962 to 1979. Unlike the Corvair which had a long run in the 1960s, the Nova was quite conventional, a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. The most well-received was the third-generation Nova, including this 1969 2-door coupe/sedan. Overall, in good condition, the car has been treated to an upgraded motor and a 4-speed manual transmission. Owned by the seller for 25 years, this well-kept vehicle is in Worland, Wyoming, and is available here on eBay where $10,100 has yet to break through the reserve.
Chevy’s best-selling compact would drop the Chevy II moniker in 1969, while the Nova nameplate carried the car for the next decade. This edition was ordered with the base 307 cubic inch V8 which would most likely have been paired with a 3-speed manual or 2-speed Powerglide automatic. The seller doesn’t mention if the current 4-speed is a later addition. The 350 that’s in the vehicle now was rebuilt in 2006 and bored slightly over to displace 355 CI. Wearing some aftermarket bling, we assume the goal for this Nova was to go fast when it wasn’t safely tucked away in the garage at home.
While the Nova is perhaps nicer than a driver-quality car that the buyer could pilot home, it could stand a little TLC. For example, the trunk floor has some surface rust that sanding and a coat of sealer would cure. The package shelf in the rear window is bare and needs to be reupholstered. And the original material (which is a bit dirty) that’s on the seats is cracking in a few places but is otherwise very nice. The dash pad has been redone and the tufted vinyl seems a bit out of place. But the body seems to be sound and the white paint is quite nice, though not entirely inspiring.
This Chevy is up for sale because it’s not numbers-matching and the seller would prefer to focus on the other cars in his/her collection that are. But at least it’s not another attempt at turning a standard Chevy II into an SS 396 clone or tribute. One of more than 251,000 units built in 1969, it’s presented as a nice solid product of its era that should be a lot of fun to enjoy – just the way it sits or with just a little work.
I’ll have to disagree with the author, I feel the 66-67 Chevy-2 Novas were the most well received ! More 68-71 Novas may have sold, but the 66-67 put the Nova on the map.
I only drive convertibles but this is a nice car
I had one of these and it had a straight 6 in it. But it ran well, and kick myself everyday for getting rid of it. Great cars no matter what year you had.
Steering wheel is not 1969 either…
It’s A 70,S Camaro Wheel
Great car for someone getting into the car hobby for a smaller investment. A nice street cruiser and great for bracket racing! Something you could be proud of.
I think it’s getting pretty close to tapping out at 10k. Nice driver, a little work could make it a stellar driver but nothing to write home to mom about. Lots of potential for someone looking for a nice ride without the numbers and insane price tags that go with them.
Digging the 4-spoke wheel and custom dash pad. The whole car works together and is nice but not over the top.
Looks like a great starting point for what could be a very nice car. I love these late 60’s Nova’s.
Perfect driver, these cars were the way to go, light and easy to build.
This is a nice Nova, but too bad there’s no pictures under the car. I had a 70 Nova, 307, TH350, and the car’s main weak spot was its single leaf rear springs. Some Novas had multi leaf rear springs which would be great if this car has them.
I had a 307 with 3 speed stick. Get on it in first, that spring would wind up, and it would hop like a jackrabbit. (Cost $1,990 new)
I remember seeing lots of nova’s, and other gm cars with leaf springs driving around unsafely back in the 80s,with rusted spring perches, so they didn’t even track straight going down the street, good ol Chicago heart of the rust belt!
I owned a 69 2 door, medium blue with a black vinyl top. It had a six cylinder and 3 speed on the column. I liked the car a lot. Can’t even remember when I sold it, probably around 76.
The motor might be updated from 1969, but there’s nothing in the pics that you couldn’t get 30 years ago.
First brand new car I bought was a 69 Nova. It was dark green with black vinyl top, rally sport wheels. Just over $2700.00 out the door. I liked the car but back side windows don’t roll down so when my drunk bother in law threw up what a mess it made. I made him clean it up the next day. Oh boy, am I tempted to push the bid button, but no I’m still looking for a 60’s Cadillac convertible fully loaded.
God Bless America
He will never get back all the money he spent it!
Every time I see one of these I’m thinking Axel Foley from “Beverly Hills Cop”!! LOL
My father had one of the later ones,a two door that was rust orange with a six cylinder! He later gave it to my older brother,who somehow cracked the block!!
Nova’s are a great cars for someone on a budget easy to work on parts are available nice car
I like these years before the 74 5mph bumpers but never liked the boring dash. It was an economical thing because the Ford Mavericks dashes were even uglier.
I had a 66 Chevy II and the unibody vs rust was bad. It was a 6 and 3 spd manual. The kid I sold it to put an 8 in it. It had to snap the car in half. ( when I jacked up the car, there would be a 3/4 gap at the top of the fender) They all need rails welded in for strength and real springs in the back if you’re dropping an 8 in…
Can you say SLEEPER? My 68 was a 327 4bbl with that shifter sneaking up over the bench seat. With dog dish hubcaps and black tires, no one knew until they tried me out…
My grandpa had 69 nova 6 cyl 3 on the tree he traded it in on a brand new 72 nova 6cyl auto after he got his black lung benefits he also had his shack of a house torn down and bought a new trailer home.