Original 350 V8: 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS
One of the more popular cars to be cloned as a Super Sport is the 1968-72 Chevy Nova. But in the case of this ’72 edition, it’s authentic with a numbers-matching 350 cubic inch V8. The car looks to be in excellent condition and ready to go out to play. With just under 57,000 miles, this Nova resides in North Phoenix, Arizona, and is available here on craigslist for $39,500. Thanks for the great tip, Pat L.!
The Chevy II/Nova was Chevrolet’s second foray into compact cars in the 1960s. The first was the Corvair, an unorthodox machine (by then-American standards) with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. Because the Ford Falcon and others were more conventional in design, the Chevy II went that route in 1962. The third generation (1968-72) would prove to be it’s most popular and the 1972 models would turn in their best sales year to date (349,733 copies). 12,309 Nova SS models would be built in ’72 and all of them came with the L48 350 V8 that produced 200 hp SAE NET (the same motor was rated at 300 hp two years earlier, but the measuring stick had changed).
This car brings back a lot of memories as I had a 1970 Nova (non-SS) that looked just like it. The bronze paint in 1972 was a bit darker and this Chevy has the deluxe interior while mine was Plain Jane. This car looks good enough to have been restored, but it also could be completely original except for the American Torque Thrust wheels it currently wears with new BF Goodrich radial tires.
While the SS was still enough in 1972, the muscle car era of just a few years earlier was clearly on the way out. Besides higher insurance premiums putting a damper on the sales of machines like these, the detuning process that began in 1971 would enable anything coming out of Detroit to run on unleaded fuel. Paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission, the seller’s Chevy Nova should be able to hold its own in the quarter-mile run, but this car looks too nice to have seen much of that action.
The body and paint look great, including the white vinyl top and matching vinyl interior. The dash pad has nary a crack in it. This SS is well-equipped, including power steering and brakes and factory air conditioning which we assume works as it should. The battery is new, and the seller has the car’s build sheet and Protect-O-Plate. The seller is asking for top dollar for this Chevy, but it also looks like a top dollar car. Back when I still had my ’70 Nova, who would have ever thought these could be $40,000 cars?
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Comments
Great ride I would pull the motor keep it on the side. Drop hot 383 450hp beef up the trans a bit. And have fun. Maybe change the gears to 3.73 in it. And don’t touch anything else. Drive and have fun. 🐻🇺🇸
Had 72 SS Nova with 4 speed, swapped in 69 396. Stopped waiting on traffic, rear ended into car in front, sold car. Would love to have twin.
Nice, but the price is out of touch with reality. Mid-teens would be a bargain, low-20’s is likely near the top of the market.
Steve R
Of all collector cars, a Nova is one of the most practical to own. The size is perfect..not too big and not too small and will fit in today’s parking spaces and garages. The equipment is great with the V8, TurboHydramatic, power steering, power brakes and air conditioning. Bucket seats and a nice blue or red exterior would have been nice but can’t expect everything on a 50 year old used car. Another reason the Nova is a perfect collectible is that there are now many online parts suppliers
catering to old Chevy restorers. The high price reflects supply and demand in the marketplace. The only thing comparable in size new today is the Malibu but the vintage Nova has a lot of character.
Wow, an SS with auto and column shift and bench seats? I bought a ’72 Nova SS as a present to myself when I got out of the Army in ’72. Mine was a 4 speed on the floor, red , with black vinyl roof and black interior with Strato bucket seats. Sold it in ’74 for about 1,800. Gas shortage years. I got a ’74 Celica GT, 5 speed manual. No American manufactures were making a decent small car then.
My across the street neighbor bought a 375hp 396/4 spd Nova from a guy that lived down the street in 79. I thought I knew where every hot car was in our town and I had never seen it. It was maroon with black interior and had super low miles, console with gauges, a really nice car
My 1st car was a 72 Nova. Loved it. Only if I knew 40 years ago it would be worth so much, I would still have it.