Vehicle Description
There's a reason the 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS L79 is always such an
in-demand classic: it's the truest factory muscle car around. The
L79 motor was already the high-compression hot small block for the
Corvette, and the Nova was the only way to get an even lighter
package. It was a single-year offering with less than 5,500 made.
So over a half-century later, it's truly a rare treat to find a
numbers-matching example that is well-documented and exceptionally
restored.
Every once in a while the stars align correctly to deliver an
outstanding car. That feels like the case of this 1966 Nova SS. The
second generation of this car was only offered for two years, and
the L78 was only a factory option for this first one. The design
was built to be a true sleeper muscle car but with sharper lines
than its predecessor, a touch of Coke-bottle curves, and a terrific
hardtop profile. So while the 2nd gen had a short run, it also left
a lasting impression. This example takes the classic fundamentals
and turns the desirability up a few notches just on its appearance.
The factory-correct Chateau Slate is the kind of color you'd expect
to order on a modern sports coupe, and the level of gloss and shine
would even make a BMW M3 jealous. That's because this was given a
full restoration, and all evidence points to cost taking a back
seat to quality. Form-fitting chrome bumpers, proper Super Sport
badging, clean glass, and clean lines are all quite stylish. There
are just the right touches of black on the rockers and SS wheel
covers that look great against the silver. It is a very
sophisticated-looking coupe. So many people may just suspect this
to be a cool cruiser...as long as they don't read the fender
badges.
The black interior was restored to the same high quality and
correct standards as the exterior. You know that just by the look
of the upholstery. The seats have a terrific-looking vinyl that
includes the classic textured pattern and bright trim embedded in
the seatbacks. And since this is the kind of rare car you're going
to want to show off, you can tell they also made sure you'll leave
all the windows down on this hardtop. The carpeting, door panels,
dash, and all other fundamentals have the right level of attention.
It's beautifully vintage with all the right details, like the
working dome light, classic rubber floor mats, bias-ply spare in
the trunk, and the Delco AM radio there for display. There's even
an ignition lock guide on the sun visor, just to make this feel
like you're always on your way home from the Chevy showroom. And
speaking of driving, you just know this real-deal SS was made for
enjoyment on the streets. Front bucket seats, a center console with
floor shifter, and a handsome sports steering wheel are all there
to make sure you know this is more than just a looker.
Under the hood is one of the best small-block motors of the muscle
car era. The L79 327 cubic-inch V8 is a legend for an advertised
350 hp right off the showroom floor. This numbers-matching
powerplant even has its correct Holley four-barrel carburetor.
Because people will want to see this icon, it is ready for show
duty with the polished air grabber and valve covers in the tidy
engine bay. But a car like this is really meant to be driven. After
all, the lightweight hardtop coupe body makes it one of the best
muscle cars on the streets, especially when mated to the
numbers-matching Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed manual
transmission. It's a true street machine package direct from Chevy,
right down to the way this one loves to let you feel the road. But
while this is a fun driver, it's also made to be impressive from
every angle. The undercarriage photos showcase the ultra-fresh
presentation where you even have factory-style tags and markings
added.
An exceptional coupe like this needs the right documentation, and
so the sale comes complete with the bill of lading, warranty card,
owner's manual, and some period-correct literature. This was the
surprise boulevard king in 1966, and today it will be nearly
impossible to find this rarity restored to a higher standard. So if
you're looking for the king amongst kings, call today!
