44k-Mile Survivor: 1978 Chevrolet Nova
Chevrolet had an instant hit on their hands when they introduced the Chevy II compact in 1962. Over time, the cars would be identified as Novas, which had previously been an upscale series. The last generation of the Nova rear-wheel-drive automobiles came in 1975-79 before the machines became U.S.-built badge-engineered Toyotas in the 1980s. This 1978 Nova is Plain Jane though it does have a small-block V8 and automatic transmission (and four doors). Located in Stayton, Oregon, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $6,000. Tony Primo is credited with another tip from yesteryear.
When the Nova was redesigned in 1975, Chevrolet wisely kept the styling cues somewhat the same, so the car still looked like a Nova. Sales continued to be brisk, yet the compact was replaced in 1980 by the Citation, a front-wheel-drive compact. I’ve owned both cars and the Nova was a far better car, at least in terms of build quality and reliability. The ’78 Nova saw few changes and 288,000 copies flew off the showroom floors. Of those, 52% were 4-door sedans like this one and one-third had the 305 cubic inch 8-cylinder, also like the seller’s example.
The seller describes this Chevy as a “true survivor” and that seems to fit. The mileage is low (44,000) and the paint is original, though worn with some surface rust. You could drive the vehicle as-is, but you’re going to eventually want to repaint the machine. A TH-350 automatic transmission is also in play. Besides a radio and power brakes/steering, it looks like few options were checked off the buyer’s list.
As the story goes, the seller’s father bought this Nova a few years ago from its original owner. Then the car was parked and stored in the garage for a while. We’re told it runs well and should provide adequate service from the time you drive it home. When you redo the paint, it will be time to redo the weatherstripping in the trunk before it starts to leak. What’s not to like about a 1970s Nova like this, except maybe the number of doors?
Auctions Ending Soon
1974 Porsche 914 2.0Bid Now1 days$1,450
1970 Chevrolet CorvetteBid Now3 days$5,000
1974 Triumph TR6Bid Now6 days$500
1969 Cadillac DeVille WagonBid Now6 days$9,500
1965 Plymouth BarracudaBid Now7 days$1
Comments
Reasonably priced car in pretty good shape, but kinda boring. At least it’s got a 305, instead of the 6 cyl, which was either a straight or V6. Could be a nice toy for someone.
The four-door is actually more attractive than the two-door of this generation.
I have an irrational dislike of Novas – not for bad experiences, but at least partly because my Driver’s Ed cars were 1974 and 1975 Novas. One of each. I hated the dried-out wino who was the road instructor; I hated the cramped configuration we had (four of us in each car, which made it tight in the back) and I hated how the 1974 floorpan would twonk! over every bump in the road like an old oil can.
Hated how the long-legged girl I often wound up jammed up next to, had no use for me.
It’s a well-preserved utilitarian transportation appliance. Price is certainly a draw – someone’s gonna get $6k of pure transportation value.
Is that the correct steering wheel?
Yes. 1978 was the first year for the high visibility steering wheels on Chevy, Olds and Buicks. Pontiac kept most of their 3-spokes.
I had a ‘62, 4-door, 3-on the tree. Dang good car until I hit an interstate guard rail square on at 55mph after getting sideswiped by a hit-and-run. My girlfriend’s face hit the radio volume knob and it was pointed up instead of towards her. I reshaped the steering wheel into an oval.
No A/C.
R.T. that is not the original steering wheel. I owned a ’77 two door and my father-in-law a ’77 4 door. Mine was equipped like this one but no radio. I paid right around $4,200 for a new one in June of ’77. Interestingly, I bought a two door base Toyota, new in July of ’79 for around $5,200. My father-in-law bought new in August. His was a straight 6, with auto, ps, pb, and air. His was silver, mine dark blue. I don’t know if it was carburetor trouble or the fact the car very rarely was driven on the highway, but had lots of trouble starting in the winter. He bought his because he liked mine. He was so frustrated when his wouldn’t start on a cold Iowa winter morning and mine would pop right off.
This is a ’78 Nova, not a ’77, and the steering wheel is correct.
https://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1978_Chevrolet/1978_Chevrolet_Nova_Brochure/1978%20Chevrolet%20Nova-07.html
I looked at a 1974 Nova in 1977 while shopping for another used car. It had several things working against it. It was bright yellow, had the black, & white check interior, and had four doors. I bought a medium blue 1975 Pacer instead. I drove that Pacer for 6 years, and hated to trade it in. The person that bought it at the dealer lived less than a block from my parents house. It was still parked in their driveway in 1989.
It’s remarkable how basic cars used to be. Plain bench seat, plan door panels with armrests tacked on, black steering column/wheel, black seat belts, crank windows, fixed steering wheel, mechanical remote control mirror, etc, etc. Even so, someone was probably proud to bring this one home from the dealership.
True. Generally just an AM radio and an automatic transmission, and sometimes the original owner even left the automatic transmission off of the order sheet! Yes, no matter how basic or fancy a car was, bringing that new one home from the dealer was a proud day for the entire family! It still is, but given the cost of even the most basic car these days, fewer and fewer folks are getting to experience that moment. Sad.
I’m gonna take a shot here and say yes that is the original wheel just may not be the original as far as color. My father had this exact car and color and I vividly remember every aspect of it including the steering wheel
A good solid example of how things were “back in the olden days!” as we used to say as kids. The 305 and A/T are definite plusses, and I actually like the four-door! There. I’ve said it! Could it be better? Sure it could. Could it be worse? Absolutely! This one could stand some love, but the basics are all there, and the issues could be dealt with over time, as budget permits. Meanwhile just drive it and have fun! While there is the temptation to restomod the hell out of it (I could see myself doing that), my inclination is to leave it basically stock, except maybe an upgrade to the fuel handling systems, to improve the awful drivability of the late 1970’s anti-smog gear. Except for the Cadillac Seville, EFI would have to wait until the late 1980’s for these and by then they had morphed into the execrable Citations and Company. The low compression, EGR systems and the feedback carburetors were nightmares to tune, and never really ran right, even when all of the specs were “spot-on”. Some higher compression, freer breathing heads, with a hotter cam, low-restriction intake and exhaust, would really wake this bad boy up!
When the rust started taking over on these last generation Nova’s. You’d see more than one dog tracking down the road. Not a fan.
That wasn’t from structural rust , it was due to the rear spring clamps breaking. We used to sell a ton of aftermarket rear springs for the Novas and Camaros back then.
My apologies to everyone. I need to read things more carefully. I had it in my mind this was a 1977, oops!
I had a ’78, that’s definitely the same steering wheel it had. Now, let the debate about the wheel color begin! LOL 😆