Vehicle Description
1966 Chevrolet Nova SS
The 1960's Chevy II/Nova was one of Chevrolet's best selling models
and was sold as a compact car. It didn't take General Motors long
to realize they could put some of their bigger engines in these
cars and people would buy them for performance as well. Hence a
Nova ad that states, "The Sleeper Awakes."
Dignifying our showroom space here at Classic Auto Mall is this
Nova SS stunner. I say this because one look at the fit, finish,
and paint on this car and you will not be able to restrain yourself
from being impressed. Unveiled in 2015 at the Muscle Car and
Corvette Nationals in Rosemont IL and scoring 998 out of 1000
points after a meticulous restoration by the country's foremost
expert on 1966 L79 Novas. Along with the near perfect point finish
the car won a Concours Gold at that event and also an Outstanding
1st Time Show award as well as a L79 Invitational Showcase display
certificate. A certainly assured job well done, very few faults,
definitely a show car, however you do not need to be afraid of
taking it out on the weekends and blowing out some of the carbon
buildup as dad used to say!
Exterior
Gosh where do I start...I could just say it's all great, and be
scary as to my accuracy, but I digress...a shiny egg crate grille
with single headlights flanking either side, all surrounded by
beautiful trim work, and held up by an original re-plated bumper
with no faults in the chrome. A centrally peaked laser straight
hood makes its way back to factory date code correct tinted glass
surrounded by NOS and restored polished trim. Some OEM panels make
up the slabbed sides, but they align just perfectly, and are
spattered with either NOS or restored plated polished handles,
mirrors, and badging. Bringing up the rear is a straight as an
arrow trunk lid, and rear trimmed taillights, with a bumper below,
all re-plated and polished to factory looks. Paint is stunning on
this car and is Tuxedo Black. Rarely seen 14" wheel covers and
6.95-14 blackwalls are affixed to all corners.
Interior
A factory console, very clean seats, door panels, and new carpet,
all dressed in black vinyl, and a chrome rectangle button added to
each seatback...oh and add a vertical chrome stripe on the doors to
be even more matchey and cool! Between the stylish buckets is a
factory console topped with a brushed aluminum panel and the chrome
shifter is well within the driver's reach. The factory gauges are
fronted by the correct wood rimmed 2 spoke steering wheel with a
mixture of brushed aluminum and chrome in the spokes. A factory AM
radio is mounted nicely in the center of the dash while just below
are the heater controls and below that is a chrome bezel black face
Bowtie tachometer. The sprawling bench seat in the back looks
factory fresh in its black vinyl and a factory optioned rear seat
speaker is mounted in the package tray. As mentioned, new black
carpeting floods the floors and a black vinyl headliner hangs above
with no signs of wrinkling. A shout out to the trunk which has been
redone with the correct OEM finish...all first class.
Drivetrain
327 cubes in the form of a healthy V8 are happily mounted in a
pristine engine compartment home. This mill has been totally
rebuilt to L79 specs making 350hp, and is a consigner stated
numbers matching engine, although the partial VIN stamping appears
incorrect. This mill sports a correct 4bbl carburetor under the
correct chrome dual snorkel air cleaner as well as the correct
starter, alternator, distributor, and correct factory style paint
overspray. The correct 4-speed Muncie M20 is strapped to the rear
of the mill and power flows back to a correct FP stamped 12-bolt
posi rear weighing in with 3.73 gears and Positraction. A correct 4
row radiator is on to keep things cool and is fitted with correct
hoses and clamps. Total visual eye candy under the hood, just like
on the 1966 showroom floor.
Undercarriage
When one states every nut and bolt was taken off this car for the
restoration, you would expect to see what is under this
car...nothing but clean, mechanically perfect, straight, shiny
compilation of parts working together as they should...amen! Crisp
clean floor pans and unibody rails are appearing like new and all
in black and all rust free. F40 special independent coil spring
suspension with drum brakes are on the front while leaf springs and
more drums are on the rear. Of special note, our consignor states
that all brake shoes are correct OEM style for both the front and
rear and correctly dated OEM shocks are on all 4 corners. A factory
correct dual exhaust system is on to handle the removal of spent
fossils and is equipped with OEM mufflers and resonators. So clean
you can eat off of the undercarriage.
Drive-Ability
A quick fire up and warmup and off to the test track. I felt like a
superstar behind this wheel in this excellent interior. On track I
experienced smooth acceleration, bias free panic stopping, and nice
tight cornering. All fun actions were working at this time with the
exception of the horn not tooting, the heater blower not blowing
and the tachometer not reading rpm's.
Well restored, perfectly done in the drivetrain department, and
nicely done interior, we have a runner, and a gunner. If you are
looking for a smaller muscle car classic this one is truly a wild
deuce in its true SS form. This will be the toughest block on your
block. Deport your import and snap this one up, it won't be here
long.
VIN DECODE
118376N137546
1-Chevrolet
18-Chevy II Nova V8 SS
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
6-1966
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
137546-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
02A-1st Week February Build
STYLE 66 11837-1966 Chevy II Nova 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY NOR74217-Norwood Body #
TRIM 765B-Black Vinyl Buckets
PAINT AA-Tuxedo Black
E-Tinted Glass All
2L-4 Speed Manual
S-Rear Antenna
R-Rear Seat Speaker
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.