“Louvers on the front fenders, a bulging hood, and a throbbing exhaust note let people know this one’s no imitation,” Chevrolet said in advertisements about the Nova SS. The Nova started out life in 1962 as a compact economy car but morphed into a muscle car – and buyers ate it up.
The Pick of the Day is a 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Mt. Airy, Maryland. (Click the link to view the listing)
“The car is an all-original 43,000-mile example with its documented numbers-matching drivetrain, including carb to pan, transmission, 12-bolt sway bar differential rear,” the seller says. “Options include power disc brakes, power steering, factory buckets, and a console.”
The Nova – launched initially under the “Chevy II” name in the early 1960s – was a compact car manufactured on the General Motors X-body platform. As the muscle car era started heating up in the mid-to-late 1960s, the Nova was one of the models that became known for its available high-performance offerings such as big-block motors and upgraded suspensions.
The Nova’s third generation was introduced in 1968 on a 111-inch wheelbase (making the car only slightly shorter than Chevrolet’s midsized Chevelle at the time). The following year, the “Chevy II” nameplate was dropped, and the car became known as simply the Nova thereafter. There were cosmetic changes applied to the exterior lighting, badging, and grille that made each year unique.
Before us today we have an eye-catching build that started out with a solid low-mileage car and was treated to an inside-and-out refresh. The seller says, “Many hours invested in wet sanding and buffing, leading to a beautiful paint finish that is super straight, no orange peel, with great body gaps.” The engine compartment was similarly detailed, and the interior has a clean appearance with black vinyl bucket seats, woodgrain door panel trim, a center console, and a T-handle shift lever.
Under the hood, the heart is a 350ci small-block V8 mated to an automatic transmission. The listing says that the engine, transmission, and rear end have never been out of the car. The seller adds, “The car runs amazing. Very tight with no rattles and no window air leaks. I would not hesitate to drive it cross-country.”
The asking price is $42,500 or best offer, which will include a build sheet, registration renewals, a Protect-O-Plate, and documentation on the restoration. Throbbing exhaust note included at no extra charge!
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, check it out at Pick of the Day.