An old car with a little documentation around its origins is always exciting to find. It doesn’t need to be a rare or high-value performance model and it doesn’t need to be celebrity-owned either. Just a little evidence regarding the acquisition, how it was equipped, what it cost etc. is all that is needed to make for an interesting listing. Here’s an example to consider, a 1971 Chevrolet Nova. It is located in Morgan Hill, California and available here on eBay for a current bid of $11,300; 33 bids so far tendered.
The ’71 Nova is virtually identical to its ’70 predecessor and its ’72 successor other than some engine performance differences. Oddly, however, production volume which was about 315K units in ’70 plummeted to 194K in ’71 only to rebound to about 350K in ’72. And as is typical for a car like the Nova, it’s the SS performance version that gets all of the attention. Well, not this time; this Nova, purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Travnick of Nampa, Idaho was acquired on September 30, 1970, and it is a nice but innocuous two-door coupe; pretty restrained overall.
The seller indicates that he thinks he is the third owner of this little Chevy. While he has the paper details from the original owners, he does not have a bio on owner #2. This Nova was equipped in a similar fashion as many were in the early ’70s with a 307 CI, 200 gross HP V8 engine and an automatic transmission, in this case, a Powerglide two-speed automatic. By ’71, the Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed had pretty well taken over as the standard GM automatic transmission but the ‘glide was still lurking around for four, six and entry-level V8 engines. What I find interesting about this car is that the 307 engine, never known for performance intentions, has been modified with an aluminum intake manifold, a four-barrel carburetor, and an open-element air cleaner. In all these years of looking under Chevy hoods, I think this is only the second time, or the second time that I remember, someone trying to put some pizazz into a 307. The 307 engine (’68 to ’73) was pretty one dimensional, being offered as an intro V8 and equipped with only a two-barrel carburetor. The seller does not elaborate on how well his Nova runs but he does indicate that it has a small oil leak when sitting, a by-passed heater core and a questionable fuel gauge. The seller adds that he does have the original intake and carb. Lastly, from a mechanical perspective, the seller advises that he has performed a front disc-brake conversion – a really nice addition!
The window sticker reveals that this Nova was originally finished in Placer Gold with an Antique White roof. All these years later, it still looks pretty passable. There is some primer on the tops of both fenders, horizontal surface fading and what appears to be maybe repainted panels like the passenger door – it doesn’t match that well. But all-in-all, the exterior appearance is pretty fair for a car of this age. The seller claims that this Nova is very solid with no rust and there is no visible evidence to the contrary. This Chevy is in California and has been for the last six years, so that’s a benefit to its overall well being. The leading edge of the left fender has what looks like a parking lot or garage-door mishap, but the body is clean and straight beyond that. Of note is the Chevrolet Magnum 500 “SS” wheels that have been installed. These were an option on the ’69 Nova SS and then standard equipment for the ’70 SS. By ’71, they had been discontinued but they are a great addition to this coupe, they set off its appearance and stance (they are 7″ wide) perfectly.
The interior is pure Nova the entire way. There’s no carpet, this more pedestrian example came with a rubber mat that is starting to give it up. The bench seat is a weave/vinyl combination referred to as “Sandlewood”, and other than needing a good cleaning, it appears to be all together and not torn, ripped or shredded. The seller advises that the headliner is earthbound so that will need attention and the dash pad, as is frequently the case, is split. The only other item of note is the missing brake pedal pad. I know, seems picky but have you ever had to jam on the brakes with wet shoes and no pedal pad? It’s an attention-getter when your foot slips off of the pedal at the worst possible moment.
There you have it, a $3,151.55 V8 equipped, Chevrolet Nova. The Travnicks liked consistency as they traded in a ’65 Nova SS for this new coupe (I wonder how that SS was equipped). There is additional documentation included in the listing so be sure to check out all of the images. This was just an ordinary car, bought in an ordinary way as millions of cars were purchased almost a half a century ago. In some respects, it seems peculiar that we hold such old, typical transactions in high regard, I guess it is the passage of time and a reflection of a less complicated, technical time that piques our interest. This Nova is doing quite well in its bidding, better than I would have anticipated, and with five days to go, there’s no telling where it will top out. Nostalgia or not, this is just a nice, old Chevy Nova coupe that is going to make its new owner pretty happy don’t you think?
Among our family’s many janky vehicles, usually vehicles the old man’s customers were too old to drive and thus got for nearly free, was a Nova just like this, Placer gold and white, straight 6 though. Most of the ‘N’ on the ‘Nova’ emblem on the trunk lid had broken off, so the car was known either as the ‘Jova’ or the ‘Iova’.
It looks like a solid foundation either for a high end build or someone’s cruiser. I’m a bit surprised it has been bid so high at this point in time.
Steve R
Every time I see an early ’70’s Nova, it reminds me of my ’70 Nova SS and practically brings tears to my eyes. I miss that car! This seems to be a solid and straight car that should be easy to re-paint. I’d want to upgrade to something a bit more potent than the pedestrian 307; maybe an L78 396 with a Turbo 400 like mine had or at least a built small block. Source some buckets and a console, restore the interior, remove the side trim, paint it white and I’d have my old Nova back. I’m not surprised to see the strong bidding so far as these Novas were popular back in the day and this one is a great candidate for a performance build.
Wow, I find it hard to believe someone actually put the time and money into modifying a 307, not that it was a bad engine. But hey, use it for what it’s worth.
My sisters shared their first car, which was a 73 Nova 2-door with a 307. When they finally got their own cars, they sold it to my two younger brothers who are twins. They immediately set about modifying the Nova in typical 80’s fashion. Larger tires in the back with Cragar mags all around. The entire car spray painted in primer gray after putting in tons of Bondo in the rear quarter panels. As with this featured Nova, they also swapped out the intake and installed a four-barrel carb. They also installed headers and bolted the mufflers directly to the headers. They were going to add side-exit exhausts from there, but never got around to it. Idling at a stop light could be a real challenge with the exhaust fumes coming up through the floorboards and open windows! Of course the 4-barrel and headers did nothing to improve performance, but the car sure sounded bad-ass!
The production numbers were so much lower in ‘71 because of a massive UAW strike.
As I have owned my 68 Nova SS since 1977, I’ve always had a soft spot for these cars and learned a lot about them. This one is a bit of a rarity. Before everyone gives me grief I’ll explain. Very early production 71’s had the same clear lensed parking lights and the small backup lights like the 70’s. Some of the cars pictured in the 71 brochure show this as well. Very early on the parking lights were changed to amber lenses and the larger backup lights appeared as well. So that makes this a sort of hybrid 70/71. I’ve only seen two other very early 71’s like this, one was a four door. I like the SS wheels but if I owned this one, I’d put it all back to stock with whitewalls and the full wheel covers, fix the things that need attention and repaint it, keeping its original colors. Then take it to shows and see how many people tell me I’ve got the wrong parking and taillight lenses for a 71. I have actually had numerous people tell me my 68 isn’t a real SS because it has a bench seat and column shift, so I’m sure someone would comment on this car’s lenses…
Looks like a lot of potential if the price were right. Was never a fan of the 307 and like was said I have never heard of someone trying to get more HP out of one? Very limited potential to do much with. The 327 offered a whole new world of HP options and could be taken as far as you wallet would support.
My first car was a ’73 Nova with a 307 that I bought from my dad. I pulled all the smog equipment off and installed a 4 bbl intake and small carb. Also put on headers and a dual exhaust. Didn’t do much to boost performance but it ran much smoother than in its original configuration. I should have saved my money for something else but I couldn’t let my brother and his ’69 Firebird have all the fun.
I wouldn’t mind the 307 , it is what it is . If I was lucky enough to own it I’d clean up the engine bay , replace the damaged / missing interior parts , repaint the car in its original colors and just cruise around like it was 1979 again !
My first car was a ’71 Nova with a 307 and Powerglide, Classic Copper exterior and the off-white naugahyde upholstery. I’d love to have another one!
No heater in Nampa, Idaho? It’s not that hard to replace the heater core on these, and it gets cold there. I have a brother who lives there, it snows there. Maybe that’s why the car’s in California now.
I bought a Nova new in 69. Not an SS but it had a 396/4speed with bench seat. It was dark green with black vinyl top and ralley sport wheels.
307 ci engines weren’t bad, for town driving they were fine, had one in a 69 1/2 ton pickup.
Happy motoring to the new owner.
God bless America