Selling Dad’s Car: 1977 Chevy Nova Sedan
Barn Finder Rocco B has been keeping an eye out and has located this Nova for us to consider, so thank you for that Rocco. You will find this Chevy listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Miamisburg, Ohio, it is for sale with a clean title. The seller has set a price of $5,500 for this Nova.
The seller has listed this Nova on behalf of his father. He claims that the car has traveled 28,000 original miles, and it appears that he may have the evidence to back this claim. The seller also claims that the car is completely solid and that it’s rust-free. It certainly looks to be in good condition, with no obvious issues with the paint, panels or the external trim. The Medium Green paint has a pleasing shine to it, and I quite like the look of it.
The interior looks to be in really good condition. The only item of note is the wrap on the steering wheel, but otherwise the seats, dash, carpet and interior trim all looks to be in first-rate condition.
We don’t get any shots of the engine, but we know that it is a 6-cylinder engine backed by an automatic transmission. This would be the 250ci engine backed by the Hydramatic transmission. The Nova also features power steering. The seller has a reasonable amount of documentation including ownership and maintenance history. This shot of the rear seat also shows it to be in great condition, and it appears to have only ever been used sparingly.
This 1977 Chevrolet Nova may not be a car that will set your pulse racing, but it does seem to be in very nice, original condition. It doesn’t appear to have any major issues, and appears to be well cared for. If the maintenance records and mileage claims all check out, then it might make a nice entry point for a person who is seeking to own their first classic car.
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Comments
A car that blended into the background 40 years ago, but almost looks like a classic limo parked next to your average Honda today.
Probably the nicest usable classic to come through here in a while. Even with the low miles,which clearly seems legit, there will be issues, but you simply can’t go wrong here. Quite a find. Makes you wonder how many of these clean cars are still out there.
My friend drove a 77 Nova for the better part of 18 years and it was absolutely reliable. We still look back and smile when we think of that simple old Nova.
I drove a 76 Nova back and forth to College back in 81-84, it was a trade in of sorts to my Dad’s shop, we had to replace a front clip on it and the owner just decided he didn’t want it anymore and signed it over to my Dad. I latched on to it and drove it with the miss-matched colors for about a year until we repainted the front. It had a 6 banger with a 3 speed and it was a good old car. It was the first car my Wife drove after we got married, after I taught her to drive manual, and we decided to trade it off in 85 after we found out we were going to be parents soon, needed more room for 2 car seats. I wish sometimes we had kept it, but we did not need it then.
This would still make a nice car for a kid to drive to college. What else are you going to find as reliable and cheap to maintain for $5,500.00?
This is nice. I would proudly drive this on a daily basis.
…just do a run through for all normal maintenance and a nice visual inspection…seems to be the order of the day. This is a great looking and practical car. doesn’t bust the budget, reasonably roomy and comfortable, good gas mileage. Behave behind the wheel and all should be
okay. I’d like to won this one.
…own one.
Not the same color green, but those plaid seats! A college friend drive a ’77 two-door with a three-on-the-tree. Latest passenger vehicle I know of with that transmission configuration. Great car.
Really, I thought this was a bit of a joke. This is the Camry of the 70’s only not as exciting. I think I would prefer a chevette to one of these bland rep mobiles.
Kevin, this is the only way you could get me to drive a Chevette.
https://billings.craigslist.org/cto/d/vchevy-chevette-or-trade-for/6696866414.html
So this $250.00 car is now worth $5500.00?
a car in this condition with this mileage was NEVER a $250 car …
A 1977 Chevy Nova in this condition is well worth the $5500. They haven’t been $250 cars since the 1980s, and even then $250 didn’t buy one this nice.
You’re usually a pretty open-minded car guy. I’m surprised you’re turning your nose up at something just because it isn’t a pre-’72 big block 4-speed.
I wish it was a 9C1 . Clean car . LS swap ready , JMO .
http://p2.smu.edu/acambre/nova/police.html
Very nice…love it for what is.
That plaid is louder than a Herb Tarlek sportcoat! There must be a matching picnic set in the trunk.
We had a 76 Matador coupe with brown/tan plaid. One of my uncles had a 77 Cadillac sedan deville with plaid.
But remember…dead men don’t wear plaid.
Love the boxy styling..won’t bump my head getting in and out of that Nova. I had to get a crossover SUV to replicate that practical design in my current vehicle. Although the equipment on the Chevrolet is relatively sparse, the low mileage and condition make it an excellent find.
Back in the summer of 77 my father brought my mom to the local Chevy dealer to get a new car. When they came home with that Nova I looked at my dad with surprise and he threw his hands up and said it wasn’t my choice. The car with its bright yellow paint and checked interior looked to me like a Tijuana taxi. Aside from that it gave her quite a few years of trouble free service bringing herself and the rest of the gray Panthers (as we called them) back and forth to church and occasional shopping.
The black plaid looks sharp against the minty paint; it’s much nicer than the cheesy green vinyl I expected. Those plain wheel covers are boring. A tasteful wheel upgrade would do a lot for this car. That said, these are not very exciting cars, while it might be worth $5,500 I wouldn’t pay that much for it.
Basic grocery getter. It’s a shame because it’s nice to look at, but with a 6 cyl engine, no AC or any other useful options, I don’t think anyone would be willing to pay much for it. The seller has to hope that the rare person who’d appreciate this car for what it is comes along. Good luck.
Hipster car🧔
This car is a little less than 15 miles away from me. I’m very surprised it’s in this condition if it spent it’s life in this area. Location has a lot to do with the price. Around here cars that aren’t rusted up to the door handles bring higher prices than it would throughout the south and west. A local person looking to get into the hobby that has few skills or resources will see this as a way to have a car in top condition for relatively little money.
Nice cruiser for someone with a family, or someone younger getting into the hobby with a tight budget. You could safely and reliably daily drive it, and also enjoy cruise night. Very nice find.
Could this possibly have a 3 speed auto, or was the Power-glide only available with the 6 ? What a lovely, unmolested car ! I really like the color.
Never mind. I lept before I looked at the Craigslist ad, and see it’s a 3 speed. Should have decent pick up.
In 2004 I bought a white 76 Nova 4 door. Off eBay. Sight unseen except for the pics on the listing. 305 V-8, automatic, chrome rims and dual exhaust. $600. Drove it back to Arkansas and used it without any problems. Sold it 6 months later for $1195.
Mine had the plaid interior with tan vinyl trim.
The 305 sucked gas like a pig and it was cold blooded when it was first started in the morning. Otherwise one of the top 10 cars I have owned.
Back in the 90,s I drove a used 4 door Chevy Nova with the 250 CI engine and 3 speed tranny. I had to convert it to a ( Mario Andretti LOL ) floor shift because of the column shift linkage was very sloppy. We did a lot of travelling/ Camping back then with the cat and roof rack loaded down. I drove that car for over 10 years before it finally died and 3 clutches later. LOL. Then I bought a used 1976 2 Dr. automatic with the 250 engine I drove for over 3 years. They were almost indestructible providing you keep clean oil and filters in maintenance.
I’m getting older and I have moved up in cars years as far as I’m going to go, (2002), when my current car dies with over 200k on it I plan to move back in time to something like this one, no sensors, no computerized B/S, easy to work on. Here in Pa. I can get permanent registration and no longer need state inspection for a car like that, and get classic car insurance for $115.00 a year, full coverage. Hopefully somebody will get to enjoy that car and not bang it all up. And yes I know of some similar to that one that are still around in my area.
@John, I appreciate your sentiment… high-tech, high cost and low quality are of no interest to me. Growing up, I recall that all the cool old cars were owned by ‘old dudes’, I now get why that was and I’m on their side. Turning 50 did wonderful things for my perspective on life.
Car was on the market, as it seems, a year ago in August 2017 for $8,500. More information and pictures under https://www.classiccarsseller.com/2017/08/13/1977-chevrolet-nova-greenblack-and-white-plaid/
I noticed this earlier this week and was going to call the next morning. CL listing expired overnight. Does anyone know if this is still available or who the contact is? Thanks
Anyone know if this car is still available or who the seller is?
I had one of these back in my high school days. I remember the 250 motor had no timing chain, it was gear on gear. It was a very reliable car with probably around 90hp. Some of my friends had much faster cars, but I remember driving past them as they were sitting on the side of the road with their hoods up.