Need free advice - NOVA purchase ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Need free advice - NOVA purchase ?
First....buying a car on Ebay scares me to death...aside from that...I would like to park this in the back corner of my basement. About 6 grand would be my max. I would either restore it totally stock (it's all there) ...OR...convert to a 454 just for fun. Do you think it would appreciate decently...since it is the last SS of that body with a 4 speed !
Thanks for any thoughts on this one....Fred
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
Thanks for any thoughts on this one....Fred
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
Last edited by fotyfobravo; Jan 10, 2006 at 09:31 AM. Reason: spelling !
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
I really have a hard time with them calling a '74 Nova a "muscle car". If you would restore it properly it would not compare with a late 60's or pre-73 Nova (price or performance). After 1972 the HP really started to decline with Nova's just like many other cars due to pollution controls. I would look for an earlier one and build it the way you want it. Find a clean old 6 cylinder car and do an SS clone. That way you can buy it "right" and build it your way. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I keep seeing the magic word " RUST " pop up several times in that ad. A little rust here, its the only spot. Surface rust there that can be sanded off. Light rust from sitting......even the photos show several rusty areas.
kdf
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i don't get the Nova craze...i grew up with these cars and they were always second class citizens to every thing else.....they hold no interest to me
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
hmmmm
Hey my frind,
this is a neat car with the hatchback bont don expect it to aprteciate greatly even with the 4 speed. in the end it will be worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it though i woulnd pay more that 5-7k for it. plus it looks to me to be about a 15k RESTO All up and all in. i have bought and sold from ebay and there are several things to consider beyong the useal stuf with numbers and such:
how long the owner has had the car.
how close is it to where you are.
how much down and is it refundable.
does it start move and stop
can you get it inspected by a mechanic if not yourself.
how do you feel talking to the owner.
is therre any seller feedback
Ebay can be great, and for me it was, but ive heard the horro storied too.
take your time get as many pics as possible, get it inspected or sinspect it yourself, and be ready for surprises.
enjoy
tim
this is a neat car with the hatchback bont don expect it to aprteciate greatly even with the 4 speed. in the end it will be worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it though i woulnd pay more that 5-7k for it. plus it looks to me to be about a 15k RESTO All up and all in. i have bought and sold from ebay and there are several things to consider beyong the useal stuf with numbers and such:
how long the owner has had the car.
how close is it to where you are.
how much down and is it refundable.
does it start move and stop
can you get it inspected by a mechanic if not yourself.
how do you feel talking to the owner.
is therre any seller feedback
Ebay can be great, and for me it was, but ive heard the horro storied too.
take your time get as many pics as possible, get it inspected or sinspect it yourself, and be ready for surprises.
enjoy
tim
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX.
66-67 Nova SS is the way to go IMO. They just keep go up in price.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
But I would agree, 72 or older were nice Novas.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
But I would agree, 72 or older were nice Novas.
Last edited by RC73; Jan 10, 2006 at 04:43 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Ozark MO
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...QQcmdZViewItem
I think you'd be much better off to go with '72 or earlier.
I think you'd be much better off to go with '72 or earlier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
I think you'd be much better off to go with '72 or earlier.
Emerging Vendor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 114
From: San Diego CA
If you want an SS Nove of this style with a 4 speed I'd get a 68-71. The 72 is the same but the trans and rear end changed. I restored an all original 72 SS with 4 speed, build sheet etc and it was hard to sell at a good price. The 71 was the last year for a Muncie trans and 12 bolt rearend. The 72 had a Saginaw trans and the new design 10 bolt rear.
The front and rear bumpers really protrude on the 73 and 74 and take away from the looks.
Greg
The front and rear bumpers really protrude on the 73 and 74 and take away from the looks.
Greg
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 45
From: Elon NC
Originally Posted by RC73
66-67 Nova SS is the way to go IMO. They just keep go up in price.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX.
Originally Posted by RC73
66-67 Nova SS is the way to go IMO. They just keep go up in price.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
Tell me about it. I've been looking and yes most are out of my price range. I'm looking for a good condition one that I can restore without to much work, but I'm also looking for a deal, low on cash if you know what I mean, so need to find one priced at a "to good to pass up deal". So that may take awhile finding one of those types of deals.
66-67 Nova SS is the way to go IMO. They just keep go up in price.
My next ride will be a 66-67 Chevelle SS if I can find one at a desent price.
Originally Posted by SHRKATTK
Good luck, those things are sky high.
So that may take awhile finding one of those types of deals.
