Vehicle Description
1977 Chevrolet Nova Rally Sport
The Nova was offered in 1971 and 1972 with the RPO-YF1 Rally Nova
option. In 1977 thru 1979 the Nova was offered with the RPO-Z26
Nova Rally option. The first time around, the Rally option was a
pseudo muscle car. It had the look of a muscle car with stripes and
rally wheels but it could not be ordered with the SS-only L48 350
4-bbl engine. You could get a 250, a 307 or the L65 350 2-bbl. This
was done for 2 reasons, people who wanted the muscle car look could
have it without paying for the more expensive Super Sport option.
The other reason was because of the surcharges applied to owners of
"real" muscle cars. The SS was more expensive to insure because of
the top engine. The Rally option ended after 1972 because beginning
in 1973, you could order the Super Sport with any engine (250, 307,
L65 350 2-bbl and the L48 350 4-bbl). You could also now order a
non-SS Nova with the top L48 engine. The second time around the
Rally option replaced the Super Sport option dropped after 1976 and
it even carried the same code: Z26. The option was basically just a
name change as it was mostly the same as the 1976 Super Sport
option. It included different stripes, the grille was now chrome
instead of black and the F40 suspension was no longer part of the
Z26 option (however it could be ordered separately).
For consignment, a 1977 Chevrolet Nova Rally. This one with a 305ci
V8 inserted, a 2-barrel carburetor and a 3-speed automatic. The
exterior still looks like a muscle car with a somewhat
mild-mannered powertrain keeping operating and insurance costs
lower.
Exterior
For 1977, a now chromed egg crate grille with a shiny bumper
framing it below leads the way. Turning the corner to the front
quarter and aligning up with the level of the front bumper is a
snazzy triple wide pinstripe which melts together over the wheel
wells as 1 stripe then spreads out with the original 3 stripes just
above the rockers and on to the back of the rear quarter panels.
All the remainder of this car is bathed in a dark blue metallic
respray. Some rust invasion can be noted on the various seams of
the body panels, as well as some dings that have pierced through
the paint, and areas of crazing can be seen. All remaining
trimmings are shiny with some rust showing up on the passenger
mirror. A quasi fastback rear deck is within this 1977 design rolls
over gently to the rear taillight panel with the shiny and pristine
rear bumper below. Dual chrome tipped exhaust pipes peek out from
underneath and 14-inch rally wheels are on all 4 corners.
Interior
In true mid 1970's form a white vinyl interior and square and
rectangle design abounds inside. The door panels use molded white
plastic screwed on to the bottom of the doors and are showing
slight waves to them. Minor soiling is on the white, but if a
thorough detailing is performed it would improve greatly. Slightly
dirty high back buckets are in front in white vinyl and a bench in
the back which shows some cracking of the vinyl on the top of the
bench, and one can see the inner padding. A shiny lacquered faux
wood grain dash houses the square and rectangle design dash. The
padded blue dash top is cracked. Plastic on the pillars and door
tops is cracked and will need replaced. A white headliner is above
and is slightly wavy. Below faded blue carping covers the floors
and a black center console is on the hump.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is an original unrestored 305ci V8. This is topped
with a single 2-barrel carburetor and has a TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission on the back. Overall condition of engine and bolt ons
could best be described as having a fine coating of surface rust on
all surfaces.
Undercarriage
A smattering of surface rust can be seen throughout, some invasive
particularly on the rockers. Some of the rust is heavier in the
suspension and brake parts, and on the framing for the back of the
car. Floorpans have a heavy coating of rustproofing. Invasive rust
is seen on the heel toe boards and will require a repair. Power
disc brakes are on front, and power drums for the rear.
Drive-Ability
Despite the cosmetic anomalies, this car fired right up and on the
test track performed nicely.
A 1977 version of the grocery getter version looking like a muscle
car Nova Rally. It is in need of some TLC, at minimum a good
detailing. It runs and drives well.
VIN DECODE
1X27U7W209842
1-Chevrolet
X-Nova
27-2 Door Coupe
U-305ci V8 2bbl 145hp
7-1977
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
209842-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 77 1XX27-1977 Nova 2 Door Coupe
BDY W229821-Willow Run Body #
TR 02N A51-White & Dark Blue Buckets
PNT 29-Dark Blue Metallic
05D-4th Week May 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.
