Chevy treated the popular Nova compact to a sheet metal refresh in 1973, creating a bulkier-looking car in the process. A new body style was added for 1973-74, a 3-door hatchback, which turned out to be one of every four Novas built. This ’73 edition looks like a sleeper but has a crate ZZ3 Camaro-swap motor under the hood. Plus, headers and a 4-speed box. Which should add up to more fun to drive than a lot of 1970s automobiles. Located in Long Beach, California, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $19,500. Our thanks to Pat L. for another cool tip!
Nova sales perked up in 1973 and that led to a record year in 1974, which was likely aided by the OPEC oil embargo and the shift to smaller cars that it inspired. Of the 369,500 Nova’s to leave the assembly line, 91,000 of them were the new hatchback. These things have not been known for being totally leak-free, but the seller’s car doesn’t seem to have any issues in that area, as we can tell.
Although we don’t know the original set-up in this ’73 Nova, it’s been tweaked for more speed. It sports a ZZ3 motor that was built as a performance swap for Chevy’s third-generation Camaro (1982-87). These were produced to adhere to California smog emissions standards. Rated at 345 hp, these motors had aluminum heads and intake manifold, dual snorkel air cleaner, computer and chip combinations, and street-legal high-flow dual catalytic converters. These swap kits are no longer being made.
We don’t know when the drivetrain transformation here took place, but a 4I60 4-speed automatic transmission, bigger brakes, and a Ford 9-inch rear-end were added to the mix. As important as this seems to be to the seller’s sales pitch, no photos are provided of things going on under the hood. The gold/yellow paint is said to be original, but it’s weather-worn in several places. The Chevy has a partial vinyl roof that looks to be in good shape along with the interior that may only need a stitch repaired in the front seat bottom. With a hot engine in a light car like this, I wonder what it could do in the quarter mile?
I believe that’s Long Beach,WASHINGTON.
For some reason, people always assume that if a place has a recognizable name then it must the one that they’re most familiar with. Is it Rome, Italy?, Rome, GA?, Rome, OR?, or ???? Long Beach, CA?, Long Beach, WA?, etc.
When author said 4sp box.. well cue the disappointment 😒
My cousin totalled my aunt’s hatch back when it was about a year old.
Never saw a nova with a top like that, nice car
My first car was a 73 Hatchback, I think it was the Rally model. It had bucket seats and auto on the floor. One of those cars you wish you never sold.
The Rally package was gone after 72. It didn’t come back till 77-79 when it replaced the SS package. So maybe you had an SS or a base with side stripes?
It was 40 years ago, memory is foggy. What I remember was the bucket seats, body-colored sport side mirrors, limited slip, console with floor shift (T handle style), and the blacked-out rear panel. Of course mine had cragars, chrome traction bars, rear end cover, and air shocks. Had a lot of fun in that car both racing and well you know.
if you are going to tout a powerplant as part of an incentive to purchase the care at the bare minimum-one pic of the engine compartment isn’t too much to ask.
The car has been a sleeper for so long that the seller is used to keeping the hood closed.
Maybe it’s not too pretty under the hood? The mounting bracket for the tach looks like a roofing truss bracket?
4-speed? One photo shows what looks like a column mounted shifter.
Four speed overdrive automatic.
Pictures or it’s not there!
i still have the rare tent package for these (if any interest!) gord parallax@vianet.ca