Vehicle Description
The formula was a good one: take a lightweight car like the Chevy
II and stuff it full of small block V8. This slick black 1964 Chevy
II (also known as the Nova) is a great example of that formula in
action, and it offers a host of upgrades to make it a first-class
cruiser with a ton of eyeball appeal.
Bold colors like the sinister black paint on this Nova help give
Chevy's compact a bigger presence. They're not big cars, which is
why they're so potent out on the road, but in slick,
attention-grabbing colors you have no choice but to treat them with
respect. The paint and bodywork on this car are several years old
and the paint remains in good condition with only a few signs of
age and use. It's not perfect, of course, but if you like to drive,
there aren't many better Bowties for the job. The steel underneath
is quite straight and shows off good gaps, suggesting that when the
work was done, they took their time, and the results are quite
impressive. Nice chrome, including the factory grille, rocker trim,
and bright bumper fore and aft give it just enough flash to get
some attention as you go rolling past.
The interior is extremely well done, offering newer seat covers and
carpets, all in bright red to match the car's extroverted bodywork.
The split-bench up front is very comfortable and the rest of the
interior pretty much sticks to the factory recipe. The interior was
likely replaced at the same time the exterior was refurbished, and
although it's been enjoyed since the build, it was done right and
is still very presentable. The shifter for the 2-speed automatic is
on the column, joined by the two-spoke steering wheel that was a
Chevy favorite for years, adding a sporty look. The factory gauge
package was little more than the speedometer and fuel gauge, and
they appear to be original, not restored, so you know the car has
led a pretty good life. Thankfully, the owner though it was a good
idea to augment those original gauges, adding auxiliary units under
the dash to monitor the engine's vitals more accurately. The
original AM radio still lives in that bright panel in the center of
the dash and although it doesn't currently work, we hope the next
owner will discreetly hide a modern unit in the glove box,
ostensibly retaining this Nova's original charm. The trunk was
neatly restored using flat-black paint and for a little car, there
sure is plenty of trunk space, making it idea for road trips.
Due to pressure from sales of the all-new Chevelle, the Nova's
option list finally received a 283 cubic inch V8 in 1964. But even
that displacement wasn't enough for the owner of this 2-door
hardtop, so a dependable and powerful 350 V8 was swapped in place.
Using a couple performance pieces combined with a few dress-up
accessories, it has a great period performance look. Upgrades
ranging from the chrome air cleaner and valve covers to a 4-barrel
Rochester carburetor mean that looks as great as it runs. However,
with Chevy Orange paint and ram's horn exhaust manifolds, it also
looks like it might have in 1964 once it had a chance to hit the
streets a bit. An aluminum radiator keeps the whole show nice and
cool and the 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission is plenty
tough for V8 duty and channels power to the 10-bolt rear end. A
custom Flowmaster dual exhaust system gives it a burbling voice and
you'll note that the chassis really is in nice shape. Shiny
staggered chrome wheels really fill the wheel wells yet keep the
'60s performance look and carry 215/45/17 front and 245/40/18 rear
performance radials.
A slick V8 Nova that has an awesome look with a high-visibility
punch. If you like the promise of light weight and horsepower, then
perhaps this car deserves a closer look. Call today!