The “compact” cars that Detroit began to roll out in 1960 look huge today. But think about how tiny they must have seemed when the standard was the befinned 1960 Cadillac or Ford Galaxie.
The Chevy Nova was (along with the Corvair) GM’s entry, first appearing in 1962. The lineup ultimately included coupes, convertibles, two- and four-door sedans and a wagon. These were hardly muscle cars—the only choices in ’62 were seven-main-bearing 153- and 194-cubic-inch inline sixes. In 1963, there was the addition of the snazzy Super Sport (SS) appearance option.
The convertible for sale on eBay Motors isn’t an SS, but is the next model down, a 400. That explains the bench seat and the lack of a console, but pretty much everything else about this car is deluxe, including a substantial performance update from the car’s current—and only second—owner.
The Nova’s styling was carried over mostly intact from 1962.
Under a Watchful Eye for 30 Years
The Nova has been cherished, said owner Al Wolf of Kings Park, New York. “I persuaded my mother to buy it in 1966 from a neighbor who was getting married,” he told me. “She didn’t use it much, and it was never in rain or snow. It’s been under my watchful eye since 1986.”
Wolf, a retired policeman and veteran of several Mopar muscle-car builds, said the Nova “has not been out overnight almost ever, and is detailed using only a soft damp towel.”
The SS upgrade included bucket seats and a console, but this is a 400 with the bench. Considering the added power, the tach is a useful addition.
It’s had only one repaint (urethane, in the original Tuxedo Black) after the original GM lacquer finally expired after 40 years. Any rust was taken care of at the same time. But the need for speed was prioritized over originality—the car benefits from considerable mechanical upgrades.
No, that’s not the stock mill, but it is an inline six. The 190 gave way to a built 250 six making about 200 horsepower. Note the Edelbrock carb.
A 250-cubic-inch six was installed (replacing the original 190), and it received all new internals via a local speed shop, including a .30 over rebore, a performance cam and fresh valve gear. It’s been balanced and blueprinted, puts out about 200 horsepower, and has been broken in with 10,000 miles since the rebuild. “She’s now at a sweet spot performance wise,” Wolf said. “People say she sounds like a Z28 Camaro. She’s pretty darned fast, and in the prime of her life.”
Complementing the engine mods are a manual-choke Edelbrock four-barrel carb, Clifford headers and dual exhaust with turbo mufflers. The semi-automatic Turbo 350 transmission boasts a B&M floor shifter. There’s also a GM HEI distributor, and new heavy-duty shocks and springs. The original 13-inch wheels were replaced with 14-inch alternatives and shod with radial tires. The top, with hydraulic power, was renewed recently.
It doesn’t look “compact” now, but it did in the early 1960s.
The Nova’s enhancements are all serviced by eBay, including that beefy GM 250 six and the Turbo 350 transmission.
Wolf calls his Nova “she,” but admits she never got named. Maybe that makes it easier to part with after 51 years of acquaintance.
The lucky buyer will get a trunk full of parts, including two car covers, the original wheels, the owner’s manual and shop manuals, and a perfect tonneau for parades. Also thrown in is a copy of a feature story on the car that appeared in Nova Times magazine.
