Numbers Matching 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396
The 1970 model year was the last one where you could get anything bigger than a 350 cubic inch engine in a Chevy Nova. There were two versions of the 396 V8 offered (aka 402), which produced either 350 or 375 hp. In a relatively light car like the Nova, any of the SS models would limit the life of the tread on the rear tires. This SS 396 has a rebuilt engine but is otherwise a project car that can be found in Golden, Colorado. It’s available here on eBay for either $22,500 (Buy It Now) or you can make an offer.
Without a build sheet, it’s hard to ID a 1970 Nova SS as being the real deal. There was no coding associated with the VIN that identifies a Super Sport. Badging is one way to do it, especially with the grille. But since this car has no known grille or any badging on the body which has been prepped with primer, that’s no help. That leaves stamping on the engine to tell the tale, and the seller provides several photos of numbers. The 396 was RPO L34 or L78 and L48, L65 or LM1 would make it a 350.
Total Nova production in 1970 was 254,242 automobiles. Of that, 19,558 were Super Sports, and – eliminating the 350 engines – that left 5,567 to have a 396/402. While the motor is said to be numbers matching, the seller doesn’t tell us which incarnation of the engine the car left the factory with. And it came with a 4-speed manual, but we don’t know if it’s still in the Nova. But we’re told this Chevy has only had two owners.
The cowl tag identifies this car as having come from Willow Run with Black Cherry paint and a black vinyl roof. There is no interior except a dashboard and steering wheel, and it looks as though no glass is present. So, a lot of parts are going to have to be sourced to pull this machine back together. The motor may be to least of the issues as it’s said to have just 50 miles on it. Is this a project you’d undertake at the asking price?
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Comments
I looked at every pic available an didn’t see anything that suggested this is a matching # engine…..Idk just seems to me every time someone tries to pass off BB nova they fail to take pics of the rear-end and the center outlet heater core is missing…..needs a lot more #s pics than the one of what looks #s on tranny…..
The engine’s look’n a little scrufty for being freshly rebuilt w/50 miles…
with all the $ put into the rebuilt probly no funds left over for degreaser and paint……….
Must have been a before picture.
Just what I’ve always wanted. Someone else’s problems that is mostly in boxes and pieces. (eye roll)
Damn looks like a yard sale!!!
Another overstated project that someone did not figure out financially!!..
Interesting pic on eBay taken from inside a restaurant. I’d probably take a pic from inside the bathroom. Like after I realized how much money I wasted on this POS, threw up and decided to put it back on eBay.
Were the two owners
Beavis and Butthead…?
Another over-priced, migraine-inducing project. The seller has made no effort at all to present this pile of parts masquerading as a car as best he can. I’ve seen cars that have looked better in a junk yard. The “freshly rebuilt” engine looks like hell, and it seems plenty of parts are missing. I’m sure somebody with the skills, patience and money could bring this car back but not at the asking price. Hard pass on this one.
As mentioned in prior comments, is there anything that verifies a true big block or “matching numbers”? Just a few ads prior to this one is the burned out “L89” Corvette. If sellers are going to make these assertions, they need to have the back up. Some real hound dogs coming out of the wood work!
The pic of the motor must have been taken before the rebuild.
Too much money for a jigsaw puzzle.
The hippie killer parked beside the Nova piqued my interest
Doesn’t look like “rare” Black Cherry paint now!!
Those doors are from a ’73 or ’74 – no vent windows.