Chevrolet gave its popular Nova a facelift in 1973-74, which resulted in a bulkier-looking car that would find some of its best sales years. The Super Sport option gained in popularity because it could be had with any Chevy powerplant. This 1973 Nova is said to be a real-deal SS and is fitted with a ZZ4 performance 350 cubic inch V8 and more. Located in Chehalis, Washington, this upgraded ride looks ready to rumble. It’s available here on craigslist for $25,000 and is another genuine tip from Tony Primo.
Besides the 1968-72 design was ready for some changes, the 1973 Nova was updated to accommodate bigger bumpers fore and aft. And the roofline was modified, presumably to facilitate the new hatchback body style on coupes. These mods enabled Chevy to sell another 20,000 Nova’s in 1973, or 369,500 units. Of those, 35,500 carried SS badging, which could have been applied to cars with an inline-6 or up to a 350 short-block V8.
This Nova SS should rock better than it did when it left the factory. Besides the ZZ4 engine (which would be no older than 1996), the car has electronic fuel injection, a beefier Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, and power disc brakes on all four wheels. The indicated mileage is 85,000, but we assume that’s on the whole car and not any of the restomod efforts. This car has an optional console with gauges.
We’re told the body is straight with no rust, and the medium blue paint looks mighty nice. As does the limited amount of exterior brightwork. The bucket seat upholstery appears good and may be the same as what you’d get in a Camaro of that model year. Everything is said to work as it should, except for the factory clock (in the dash). If you’re looking for a sharp Nova SS to complement your collection, could this one be it?
Good eye Primo. Looks like a fun driver for sure Dixon. 🏁
I have a ZZ in my C3 and it is a rocket, over 400# of torque and very durable.
Problem is that the 68 to 72 models will get an extra 25 to 30 percent more then the 73 and 74 models however it is a really nice car. I would maybe change the frame by end from a 68 to 72 but that is my personal taste.
It’s a very nice car, but personally, I’d prefer it without the mods.
Forever, my favorite Nova.
Was that yours 370 ? Cool 😎
The car is from the 2007 horror film Death Proof.
Don’t I wish. As Tony pointed out, this was a movie car. Death Proof wasn’t exactly a horror movie, at least not exclusively. Some were turned off by the ample “chick dialogue”, while I was fascinated by the cars, the stunts, the great soundtrack not to mention one of the best lap dance sequences imaginable, featuring Vanessa Ferlito.
By 1973, the SS was no longer a performance option and could be had with any engine, including the 250 I6. So whether this car is a real SS, really doesn’t add much to the value. This is a lot of car for the money. It looks clean and sorted out. If it was on east coast, I’d be all over this.
What’s under the hood is impressive but I looked at the first picture at the top of the article and I was like meh. If you like sleepers though.
I’m partial to the 72’s not only because I had one but by 73′ the bumpers on these and most cars just took away from the clean lines.
Good looking 73 and in today’s world probably a good buy. Good color and the buckets and console are high priority options to me. Too bad Chevy had to use those awful bumpers.
“Had to” is right John. Feds mandated 2 1/2 mph bumpers in 73 and 5 mph bumpers for 74. 73 bumpers were heavier and looked ugly. 74 looked the same but added a steel bar behind the bumper plus shock absorbers and associated hardware. Not only ugly, but added about 150 extra pounds to the car. My solution was to install a 72 front sheetmetal and bumper, and a chrome wrapped fiberglass rear bumper. Took away about 120 of those 150 pounds…but the back end still looks ugly! If I knew how to post a picture like 370 zpp did I’d show you. 74 SS hatchback, same color, a little more chrome, factory air and 396. This one for sale looks really nice, and he’s asking about half of what I’ve got in the one I’m doing, and i ain’t even done yet. If I wasn’t so far along I’d be all over this one. GLWTA!
I figured out how to do it, I think! Just rolled out of the paint shop, first time it’s seen daylight in more than 2 years!
Always liked Novas. Owned a low mileage 71 SS in high school this color, unfortunately someone ran a stop sign and I T-boned him on the way to school. Car didn’t survive, but nobody seriously injured, thankfully. I bought it from the insurance company and parted it out. 25 years later I found all the SS emblems I took off of it and put them on another 71 I bought. I know, I know, cloning…didn’t realize until then how many parts Novas and Camaros shared! Anyway. this car is nice although I like the smaller bumpers better by far.
About the “short block” reference:
Chevy short block is the foundational “bottom end” of a Chevrolet V8 engine. It consists of the bare engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, and piston rings. It does not include cylinder heads, camshafts, or the top-end valvetrain.
Technicality, but pretty sure the engines available were complete.
Sorry, OCD plus caffeine.
This type of error of is what I expect from AI assisted copy or careless reporters. Sorry to be critical but when a couple of letters totally changes the meaning of the story, that’s fake news. Like when the local newspaper reported the guy died, right after Pearl Harbor, when torch cutting a rescue hole in a submerged portion of the “shrunken” battleship.
Perhaps it was supposed to say “small block”? That makes more sense, now that I look back. Beautiful car, for sure.
If it had the hatchback, it would be perfect! The ’69-72 examples had slightly cleaner styling, simply because they had the skinny bumpers, not the Federally mandated “Bash Beams” that appeared starting in 1973 in front, and got tagged onto the back end of the car starting in 1974. The final generation, that appeared starting in the 1975 model year and ran until 1979, were somewhat blocky by comparison. These are my second favorite Novas, behind the ’69-’72 examples. Both these and the ’69-’72 examples are considered third (3rd) generation cars, the final, fourth (4th) generation cars ran from 1975-79, before GM’s X-Platform went to FWD in the Citation et al. GLWTS.
For anyone confused,a short block included the lower end of a motor.No heads,intake,for anyone needing a rebuilt lower end.A long block was lower end and heads,minus all the bolt ones,alt.starter,intake,etc.For someone changing a motor,but still had all the little parts off old motor. That’s how I thought they were sold
100% agreed