One-Owner 1966 Chevrolet Nova
This one is going to be an exercise in self-restraint. What we have here is one mostly original 1966 Chevrolet Nova, two-door hardtop. It was a very innocuous compact car in ’66 but wore an attractively styled body, not always the calling card of a budget-priced, economy car. It’s also a favorite of hot-rodders and while there was a high-performance SS variant, this example is just a nice, old, no-frills means of general transportation. The self-restraint needed here will be to quell the urge to hot-rod it. This Nova is located in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and available here on eBay for a current bid of $15,500, reserve not met yet.
This Nova was a one-owner car for a long period of time, placed in storage, and is now being sold by a seller who represents the son of the original owner. Some number of years ago, this Nova was repainted from its original Ermine White to this turquoise shade. The new paint was sprayed over a straight body that we are told is rust and damage-free. And the rust-free aspect is quite a feat for a life-long, New Jersey domiciled car. The seller adds that the body panels, trim, light bezels, chrome bumpers (slight dent in the front one) and trunk floor are all original. Additionally, a new set of 13″ radial tires have been installed. The repaint occurred in the ’80s and admittedly, this Nova still shows very well. It’s safe to say that proper storage is probably the key to success in this Chevy’s exterior appearance. The original full wheel covers are a nice save, they’re the sort of thing that frequently goes missing early on with a car like this.
The seller also claims that he has replaced the seat covers and the package shelf but provides no visuals other than this shot of a door panel. How odd. It’s peculiar that one would go to that effort and not want to promote the finished product. Needless to say, Nova interiors from this era are nice but pretty spartan environments.
For power, this 71K mile Nova has the standard, in-line, six-cylinder, 120 gross HP, 194 CI, engine operating through a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission. The seller has performed quite an extensive list of mechanical repairs, including, “New fuel tank, sending unit, fuel pump, recondition the original carburetor, Full tune-up, oil and filter change, minor PG oil leak repair, full service, new filter and fluid. Recored the original Harrison radiator, Water Pump, thermostat, complete system flushing, new hoses, clamps, and coolant. Recondition the COMPLETE brake system, resurface drums, wheel bearings, seals, all hydraulics, shoes, all hardware, adjusters, master cylinder, flex hoses, refinish backing plates and drums.” With all of this goodness, I was hoping for a running and driving assessment but none is included. Nevertheless, while hardly a power player, this engine and transmission combination are long-haulers and the mileage accumulation should be of no concern to prospective buyers.
I have to admit that I am surprised where the bid amount of this Nova is trending, really surprised. My thought, as stated from the outset, is that someone has small-block V8, SS-style visions dancing in their heads and that will become the fate of this Nova. It seems even more beguiling considering all of the custodial effort that the seller as bestowed upon this Nova – well done!
While not very exciting, an everyday compact like this Nova brings back fond memories of simpler motoring and it is worth preserving as-is for that existential reason. I may be wrong regarding a buyer’s intentions, not like that’s never happened before, but I doubt it. How about you, if this Chevy were yours to acquire, how would you treat it?
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Comments
If only the seller had crunched the original engine before listing it! I, too, had SBC Dreams — a late alloy-block unit with a six-speed attached, for preference — to which I could apply dog-dishes, decent tires and brakes, a Vintage Air setup, and leave the rest as-is.
But no, it would be wrong to do that to this one…..
Yep I’m a rodder and I’d leave this one alone. Not to say I wouldn’t drive it tho. Nice car.
I have fond memories of my67 2nd fastest car at school (buddy’s 6pak 440 rr. Stolen after I put polished tunnel ram on it . I would love to have this car . Scarce as hens teeth these days in this condition
Sweet !
That is the best looking body style. I’d LS Swap it and add some A/C and call it good.
In 1981~82 I bought a ’66 with the 6 cyl. and a 3 speed column shift for $300.00. I had it for a year or so. I can’t remember why it went away but, as I recall it was a very nice little car. It’s on my list of cars I should have kept.
I bet Chevy stopped making a HARDTOP nova in ’68 so it would not cut into sales of the more expensive newly introduced camaro hardtop.
Those side windows appear to be shorter than that on a 1st gen camaro.
What are the chances of a dynacorn nova of this vintage?
I bet that those tiny wheels & that tiny motor’s days are numbered.
As is, i would only try to “race” a falcon with a 144 cube 6. lol
No front sway bar! – i would love to hear the tires “sing”, taking a corner real fast in this car – with skinny bias ply tires mounted.
There was a fellow I taught swimming to at the YMCA when I worked there as a second job while apprenticing as a mechanic who came to mu house to ask if he should buy one of these – – that’s back when the salesmen would let you take the car for a spin to show it to the wifey and others to get opinions.
I told him for the price yup – -buy it – – I liked those cars back the. I cut my teeth on those and much older vehicles.
Ahhh the memories !
I’d love to LS swap it (just happen to have a LS2 sitting around) and all the other cool stuff, but 14 steel wheels and dog dish caps are all it needs!
I’d go old school, I have a set of 194’s at work, a sweet small block with a 30/30 cam, 12 bolt and a set of Cragars to finish it off !
Love the sound of those lumpy cammed small blocks.
Presently $17 large with reserve not met. Wow, did Steve McQueen drive this?
Leave it as is. I have (3) 66’s, one is a resto-modded 66 SS (legit) and I’d love to have this as is. I love hearing the 538HP sing on my car now, but every once in a while it’s be nice to jump in a nice quiet classic like this and just cruise along the old country roads along the coast. This is a time capsule. Find one that’s already been messed with and go to town on that one. Preserve this one the way it is, and real car enthusiasts will appreciate it more than the run of the mill hot rodded car.
Had a HS classmate whose BIL had a 66 SS with a 327 350 HP 4 speed. My classmate borrowed it for the night of our Senior Class Prom. He ran the heck out of it all night and it was a beast, right up to the point he lost control of it and put it into a tree. Totaled out the car and put my classmate in the hospital then hospice care for almost a month due to all the physical damage he sustained in the wreck. They had incredible potential but it took a good driver to control it.
This one I’d leave along and keep it a driver.
I would preserve this one as is. Hot prodded versions of these are a dime a dozen and after a while, yhey all run together in your mind at a car show. But a car like this that is kept all original (except the paint color) is something worth remembering at a car show.
This looks so awesome without Johnny Lightning Wheels or the eight layers of clear coat over some totally inappropriate color. Neat find.
It’s a wonderful old car with a price that’s on another Planet. Good luck to the new owner.
It needs a 396, it needs buckets and a 4 speed, please people with these LS motors, use some imagination here, every frigin car show, LS swap, it’s boring now
One of the best body styles of the 60’s!! I definitely see a LS in this in its near future although it’s perfect the way it is!!
is that the original gas cap?
This one’s a Nova – fancy! – my ‘67 was a Chevy II, but with an identical power train and four doors.
Having owned and driven the six/power glide combo I’d be very reluctant to leave this one as-is…!
Fred stold my comment.
1st 2 pic sez it all, great lines,
even got the Stovebolt I think, 3.15L!
Late ’60s ruined the lines (of all co.s)
w/all the ‘humps’ over the tires…
SOLD for $18,400.