Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Authentic L79 Chevy II Nova Super Sport
Listed in the L79 Registry
Original 327 cubic inch L79 V8 / 350 horsepower
Original Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
Correct Marina Blue paint
Correct Black bucket seat interior
Sale includes: An original build sheet / An original Dealer Invoice
/ An original Protect-O-Plate
Sale includes the car's Certificate of Registration for the L79
Registry
Correct 12-bolt rear axle
14-inch Rally Wheels
In 1966 the compact Nova received a hard-edged facelift that
mirrored Chevy's successful Chevelle and Impala. That being said,
sharp sheetmetal paled in comparison to the car's most significant
upgrade: the legendary L79 option. As intentionally nondescript as
the Super Sport trim it accompanied, L79 netted the car's lucky new
owner a 327 cubic inch, 350 horsepower small block that was cribbed
directly from the Corvette. That mill was certainly a hit, as a
little over 5,400 of the red-hot bowties were ordered. But,
unfortunately, most were purchased strictly for the quarter mile,
which means, thanks to the law of attrition, finding an authentic
L79 Nova is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, as you know,
your friends at RK Motors Charlotte take pride in specializing in
rare and hard to find classics. And that's why we're proud to
feature this fully documented, registry-listed L79 Nova. Wrapping a
numbers-matching drivetrain in correct Marina Blue on Black
aesthetics, this highly original wonder transforms the phrase
"investment grade compact" from oxymoron into fact!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a partial restoration that was conducted in the
mid '90s, this Nova is a sharp weekend cruiser that currently
presents much better than original factory fodder. During the car's
precise reboot, solid sheetmetal was completely striped of its
dull, original pigment. With that shell removed, and its foundation
massaged into great alignment, correct Marina Blue base was sealed
in mirror-like clear. And today, one close look at our
high-resolution pictures reveals a handsome payoff in the form of
one slick Chevrolet muscle car!
The subdued and classy lines of the prototypical Nova are early
'60s conservative. And because they're so universal in appeal,
they've continued to gain significant popularity. At the front of
this hardtop, a correct, black-trimmed grille hangs a classy "CHEVY
II SS" badge between a mirrored bumper, clear parking lamps and
bright, stainless-trimmed headlights. Above that grille, a finned
hood anchors a simple Chevrolet crest in front of clean glass,
polished wipers and straight stainless frames. At the sides of that
hood, a clean, modernist profile centers small fender emblems and
traditional door handles between straight wheel trim, a familiar
bowtie mirror and correct Super Sport rocker guards. And at the
back of the car, correct Super Sport trunk trim hangs red-detailed
badging between vertical tail lamps and a second mirrored
bumper.
ENGINE
Even if you forget everything else we tell you about this Chevy II,
be sure to pay VERY close attention to what's under the car's hood.
Motivating this real-deal Super Sport is a 1966-exclusive L79 V8
that, according to the factory, twists stout 11 to 1 compression
into 350 Corvette-matching horsepower. Savvy collectors will
quickly locate the original 327's correct 3791362 casting number,
correct "ZI" suffix stamp and matching partial VIN. Casual
observers will be quick to notice the mill's L79-exclusive
polished, twin-snorkel air cleaner. And everyone will start to vibe
when air and fuel flow from a big Holley carburetor in to a hot
Winters intake that's framed by high-flow cylinder heads! That
air/fuel mixture meets spark thanks to Packard TV R Suppression
Cables, which crawl around polished valve covers on their way to a
correct points distributor. Spent gases fall in to old school cast
iron exhaust manifolds. There's a tagged radiator that joins a
rebuilt alternator, a rebuilt master cylinder and a reproduction
Delco battery to round out the car's first-rate ancillaries. And,
when it comes to keeping up appearances, the entire engine
compartment, from its Chevy Orange block to its Satin Black
fenders, is clean, attractive and ready to roll!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
One look under this sturdy compact reveals a solid chassis that's
just as ready for the road as that stout 327. Power flows through
an original Muncie 4-speed, which hangs a Muncie (P) assembled on
March (03) 18th (18) 1966 build stamp behind a correct 3885010
casting number. That transmission twists a correct 12-bolt axle.
Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a
restored double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension. Stops
come courtesy of manual drum brakes. Exhaust flows from the
aforementioned manifolds to modern, aluminized pipes, which precede
DynoMax Super Turbo mufflers with an H-shaped crossover. The body's
unrestored floors wear a thick layer of original undercoating. And
all that old school Americana rolls on traditional Chevrolet
Rallies, which spin F70-14 Firestone redlines around polished trim
rings and low profile center caps.
INTERIOR
Regardless of what motor made its way in to the subframe, the Nova
always stayed true to its simplistic roots. No place was that more
evident than in the car's cockpit. Front and center, nicely
restored thrones provide seating. A showroom-quality dash balances
rebuilt gauges between a correct Delco pushbutton radio and an
original, Maine-mandated 4-way flasher switch. Beneath that dash, a
Corvette-style shifter rides a chrome-trimmed console, which floats
on like-new carpet that's protected by color-keyed floor mats. At
the sides of that carpet, classy door panels are, like the car's
headliner and package tray, virtually devoid of weathering. In
front of the driver, a wide steering wheel laps a polished, "CHEVY
II" branded horn bar. And behind the passengers, a matted trunk
hides a full-size spare tire beneath a decaled decklid.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A quick look at this Nova's VIN, cowl tag and Protect-O-Plate
authenticates it status as a correct, real-deal L79 Super
Sport.
VIN: 118376WXXXXXX
1: Chevrolet Motor Division
18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
37: 2-door coupe
6: 1966 model year
W: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
COWL TAG:
03D: Assembled during the fourth week (D) of March (03), 1966
E: Black sheetmetal
66: 1966 model year
11837: Chevrolet (1) Chevy II Nova SS (18) 2-door coupe (37)
WRN: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
5722: Fisher Body number
765: Black interior that's fitted with bucket seats
F-F: Marina Blue paint
W: Tinted windshield
2L: 4-speed transmission
5Y: Deluxe seatbelts
PROTECT-O-PLATE:
E: Black interior
FF: Marina Blue exterior
118376WXXXXXX: The car's VIN
- 1: Chevrolet Motor Division
- 18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
- 37: 2-door coupe
- 6: 1966 model year
- W: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
- XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
H: Equipped with a Holley carburetor
F0321ZI: The car's engine stamp
- ZI: Chevy II-exclusive special high performance 327
- F: Assembled in Flint, Michigan...for more information please
contact the seller.
