Vehicle Description
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.
Exterior
With 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.
Interior
Racy would best describe the interior with original door panels in
black vinyl and a strip of wood applique 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
Drivetrain
Underneath 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.
Undercarriage
All 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-Ability
I 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. However, our consignor has taken the car out our our
Hallowed Halls to have a rebuild performed on the engine. 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 DECODE
114271W122400
1-Chevrolet
14-Nova V8
27-2 Door Pillared Coupe
1-1971
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
122400-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 71 11427-1971 Nova Hardtop
BDY WRN031540
TR 753-Black Vinyl Custom Bench
PNT 49-Antique Green
09B-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.
