Chevy Nova history runs in my family. After all, a modified 1968 Nova was the car my dad drove in the late 1970s when he was first getting to know my mom. Decades later, I’ve even gone so far as to have a friend customize a scale-model replica of my dad’s former car as a holiday gift for him.
I’ve been tempted to buy the real thing, and this example is pretty compelling:
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Door. The car is being sold by a private party in Littlerock, California, and the auction will end Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 12 p.m. PDT.
Most notably, according to the VIN, the car is a true Super Sport. But there’s a lot more to the car than just its trim tag conveys. The body was reportedly stripped to bare metal and refinished in Pewter Grey with a holographic micro-flake. Exterior features include chrome brightwork, LED lighting and 15-inch Cragar SS wheels shod in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.
The interior received its share of attention, too. The seats were reupholstered in black vinyl, and the carpeting, sun visors, weatherstripping and sound system were replaced. The cabin received sound-deadening insulation throughout, and the instrument cluster is particularly cool: It’s a clean, modernized all-digital setup with readouts for speed, rpm, voltage, coolant temperature and fuel level.
The Nova (or “Chevy II” in its earliest days) was a compact car that first launched in 1962. It was marketed as a “not too big, not too small” car. For model year 1972 Chevrolet acknowledged (even promoted) the fact that the car was essentially a carry-over from the prior year, minus some improvements to the emission-control system and minor trim changes. Chevrolet managed to sell about 350,000 Novas that year, and the platform lasted a couple more years before a significant rework.
Power for this silver bullet comes from a built 383ci small-block V8 mated to a rebuilt three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic 350 automatic transmission. According to the listing, the block was machined by Blair’s Speed Shop in Pasadena, California. Performance upgrades abound, and equipment includes an Edelbrock 640cfm four-barrel carburetor, Icon pistons, a Comp Cams hydraulic roller cam, AFR heads, MSD ignition and a JEGS electronic distributor. Wilwood disc brakes have been added for safe, confident stopping ability to offset all those go-fast parts.
All-in, the car is a well-thought-out machine with the exterior, interior and mechanical necessities for a proper muscle car. It’s a Super Sport that has been made even sportier. My dad would get a kick out of it, no doubt!
The auction for this 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Door ends Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 12 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery