1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 Project
This 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS has a lot of potential and would be a great project car for you to work on in the winter months. Located near Bend, Oregon, it has a clean title and a photo of the VIN is provided. Thank you, Jonah M, for the tip. You can find it here on craigslist with an asking of $11,500.
Mechanically this Nova has a 396 cubic inch V8 and two choices of transmissions. The seller has a TH400 automatic or a 4-speed manual transmission. Currently, neither the engine nor a transmission is present is installed in the car. From one of the photos, the engine appears to be in pieces. It does have a 12 bolt rear end and 4.10 gears. Sadly, the body of the car will need to be redone. A failed attempt to fix a quarter panel back in the ’70s will be the future owner’s task to fix. Other parts and features, including a hood, are described by the seller within the listing.
A full interior awaits you inside the car. As you can see from the photo, it is equipped with bucket seats, a center console, and a dash-mounted tachometer. There is no mention if the interior original or not. The steering wheel does not look original. This car has been painted a number of times.
This isn’t an all original SS, but it is at least a nice example of one. The bodywork that will need to be done might be costly. Installing the engine and transmission might be as well. All of this will depend on if you want and or can do any of that yourself. There are so many decisions when it comes to a project car like this. One would be someone who buys it and tucks it away to work on someday. One might buy and spend a lot of money making it a resto-mod. Still, another would be to at least get it running to enjoy it while putting it together piece by piece.
Comments
I’d go over the car with a fine tooth comb. It has a small block heater core and a manual drum brakes, the VIN in 1969 will be of no use in identifying this car as an SS. It’s overpriced, if the sellers claims cannot be verified.
Steve R
I agree,for 69 disc brakes became a mandatory option on SS equipped Novas, Camaros. and Chevelles. hadnt even bothered looking for a 12 bolt rear which a real 68 or later SS would have had. SS money for a Nova, no way!
11,500 is the cheapest of any SS that’s been on barn find in a while!! The bondo in the passengers quarter looks pretty bad!! Bottom line is I’m with Steve R check it out pretty good and make sure it is an SS!!!
Rat salad! Beater SS396 Nova with 4.10 gears, man that must’ve been a handful off the light! I know it’s messed up but at least it didn’t get crushed already!
As far as the car goes, all I have to say is Really? A shell for $11,500?
As far as the plate goes, those plates pissed a lot of people off. The state had to change them quickly.
I don’t understand the problem with the plate. I like Oregon.
Please enlighten me.
The population was angry they produced a plate that looks like the sky was brown.
The state quickly redesigned the plate with a blue sky.
Sorry, not a SS, that alone a SS396
No power brakes
Wrong heater case cover
Good luck
I’ve caught a lot of trout in my day, but, this really is…. (holding my tongue).
Vin says 11327.
11327 = 6 cyl.
11427 = 8 cyl.
Small block heater core.
In my opinion, there is no way that this is a Super Sport, let alone a 396 car.
Back in the early 80’s I traded my 1970 L78/M21 Nova Super Sport for a 1970 LS6/M22 Chevelle. As much fun as the Chevelle was, I really miss that Nova. Shockingly quick.
Might want to check your sources on those VIN codes.
I just went out in the cold and looked at the VIN on my wife’s Plain Jane 69 Nova. VIN 6911427.
She bought this car new in Dec 68, with a 250 6 cyl, Powerglide, power steering and non power drum brakes, which it still has. Have the build sheet and original invoice, too.
Have a 69 Plain Jane Nova that my wife bought new with a 250 six. Just checked the VIN. VIN reads 11427. Better check your source of VIN numbers
11K???????????? I wouldn’t give 1100. Jesus this hobby is dead for the average guy.
Someone please chime in and correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m fairly certain that a 69 model year SS can not be identified by the VIN, also big block heater cores on the late, but always great ole Chevy’s, protrude through the firewall much closer to passenger wheel well. I realize there were several different options that a buyer could choose when new, but don’t think the heater core location is one of them. 😁