1971 Chevrolet Nova

1971 Chevrolet Nova

The Chevrolet Nova got a new promotional bent that echoed Volkswagen's approach in pitching the Beetle's lack of change as a virtue. Instead of focusing on any alterations, the Nova's sales brochure explained that, "we've been building essentially the same car since 1968. We think we've got it down pat." These were the years of the first energy crisis as Middle Eastern countries cut back on oil exports. After waiting for hours in gas lines and fretting about the prospect of fuel rationing, thrifty compacts looked pretty good to plenty of Americans. The Nova fit the bill.

For consignment, a consigner stated all original sheet metal Arizona car, (except hood,) now with a fresh 396ci big block engine. Menacing black paint with some white stripes, nice chrome and a very original interior, it's looking good and ready to go by just turning the key.

ExteriorWith a horizontal shiny ribbed grille sans any badging and a single flanking headlight on either corner, and shiny bumper below, this is the leadoff for this machine. Some white striping and a triangle with sYc emblazoned on it harkening to the Yenko SC built in beautiful downtown Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. A white side stripe also adorns this car along with more Yenko badging in black knockout type on the rear quarter. Nice shiny trimmings for the glass surrounds and side view mirrors. On the hood is a bit of bubbling of the top coating, however the car retains a good shine and overall paint is good. This car's panels, which have decently minded gaps with only one dent on the passenger's side of the roof, looking black and beautiful. Just the small aforementioned faults within the paint as well as some issues just below the bottom of the gracefully swooping downward rear glass. The back of the car keeps it simple with a single horizontal taillight on either side and another shiny bumper below.15-inch Torque thrust wheels are on all 4 corners and wrapped by 235/60R15's raised white letter tires all around.

InteriorRacy would best describe the interior with original door panels in black vinyl and a strip of wood appliqu just below the sills. Turning our attention to the passenger compartment we see black vinyl high back bucket seats in front complete with sYc stickers on the headrests, and a bench in the back. In the center garnishing the hump is a long shift lever reaching for the driver with a white ball on top. Black carpeting is flooding the floors and looking good in fade free condition. Up to the dash and it is GM simplicity with just a speedo and gas gauge, and a column mounted tachometer. Temp sliders are on to the right of the original GM steering wheel, with a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo inserted where the original radio was. Below this are a trio of aftermarket gauges hanging from the bottom of the dash. Above is a nice tight black headliner in textured vinyl

DrivetrainUnderneath the nicely restored hood with new insulation, is some automotive bling in the form of a 396ci V8. Consigner states this mill sports new cast iron heads and comp roller rockers. On top is a single 4-barrel Holley carburetor and on back a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission which pushes power to a 10-bolt rear. 2 new high output electric fans keep this baby cool.

UndercarriageAll nicely restored with no rust and just clean coating everything and black paint. A nice shiny like new Borla exhaust in dual format snakes its way rearward from the engine. Disc brakes are now upfront, and drums for the rear.

Drive-AbilityI slipped behind the wheel, settled into the sYc racy black bucket seats and with a twist of the key I was off to the test track. Here I noticed not only that the transmission had a tendency to pop out of first gear but also a pronounced bottom end knock in the engine between 2500-3500rpm. After hearing the noise, I cut my drive short. Handling was fine and braking was adequate. The horn, and reverse lights are nonfunctioning, and the A/C is blowing warm.

A nice Nova circa 1971 with fine paint, a few faults, good interior, but in need of some engine repair. A good example of a tribute to the Yenko SC Nova's of yore.

VIN DECODE114271W1224001-Chevrolet14-Nova V827-2 Door Pillared Coupe1-1971W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant122400-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGST 71 11427-1971 Nova HardtopBDY WRN031540TR 753-Black Vinyl Custom BenchPNT 49-Antique Green09B-2nd Week September Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.