Vehicle Description
1966 Chevrolet Nova Hardtop
Chevrolet designer Clare MacKichan recalled about creating the
Chevy II: "There was no time for experimentation or doodling around
with new ideas from either the engineers or from us in design; And
it had to be a basic-type car." "I think that was the quickest
program we ever did at any time," he continued. "We worked night
and day on that car, and it didn't take very long to run it through
our shop because we had a deadline." And that's what made the Chevy
II one of the fastest new-car development programs in GM history -
just 18 months after the designers got the green light, the first
production Chevy II rolled off the Willow Run, Michigan, assembly
line in August 1961, in time for its September 29 introduction.
Unlike the Corvair, the 1962 Chevy II was deliberately never
intended to be revolutionary in concept or execution; its mission
was to give Chevrolet buyers a simple, back-to-the-basics compact
car. When he announced the Chevy II to the press, Chevrolet General
Manager Ed Cole described the car as offering "maximum
functionalism with thrift."
Minimalistic with maximum function, thrift, not revolutionary in
concept or execution, a compact grocery getter, pick the kids up
kinda car, here in our Hallowed Halls. It is nearly so pedestrian
you would walk by it and never notice it. However, this does not
detract from its charm, an important place in Chevrolet history
fulfilling a need for the masses. Breathe in this 1966 Chevy II
Nova Hardtop! A 65,644 actual mile former Florida car wearing the
consignor stated original sheet metal, new seals for all the glass,
new bumpers, new exhaust from the headers back, a new fuel tank and
sender, as well as a rebuilt V8 engine. It's feelin like 1966 all
over again.
Exterior
With a respray of shiny red covers the body and roof, we see
nothing but nicely applied paint competing equally with beautiful
chrome and trimmings. A few imperfections and flaws are noted in
the body, mostly reserved to visible body filler areas, a few
inclusions and some areas of dry paint application. A straight
grille, single fender mounted headlight and well minded gaps
throughout, this car has obviously received a lot of TLC in its
lifetime. Clean and clear glass surrounds the passenger compartment
and our consignor notes that new window seals and door seals were
recently installed. A fairly mild-mannered looking car, save for
the deep dish 14-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels wrapped in staggered
width deeply treaded rubber. Bright and blingy chrome is covering
the new front and rear bumpers and clean chrome is seen for the
crossed flag fender emblems and chrome gas cap cover. Make some
noise!
Interior
Straight and true black vinyl with a white insert stripe and some
chrome accenting dressing the top and bottoms along with the cranks
and handles and some tuck and rolling for the door panels are a
preview of what's to come. Slipping inside, a snappy 60's style
split bench grabs your eye and your butt with smooth bolsters, and
some herringbone knitted inserts in black vinyl. In back a matching
styled bench looks like it's never been sat in. Black carpeting is
flooding the floors and in front above the carpeting is an original
simple dash. A digital radio replaces the original and now has
AM/FM/CD capabilities. Above is a slightly wrinkled black vinyl
headliner, and has its teardrop opaque dome light.
Drivetrain
Gracing the satin black finished engine bay is a consignor-stated
rebuilt 283ci V8 circa 1966/67. It has a consignor-stated 327ci
350hp camshaft and a 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor with an
Edelbrock intake. On the back is a Powerglide 2-speed manual with a
column shifter. Headers are on, the block is painted the beautiful
GM orange/red, and there's plenty of chrome accenting to go around.
Now appearing for the rear axle is a 10 bolt variety with an
unknown ratio. It's just a quick grocery getter now!
Undercarriage
Underneath is just miles of black steel with a dusting of road dirt
and some light patina and certainly no rust. Mono-leaf springs and
drum brakes are seen in the rear and in front, independent coil
springs and more drumbrakes. All very clean, with a solid unibody,
rockers and flooring and our tour brings us face to face with a new
fuel tank and sending unit.
Drive-Ability
Our test driver called this a tad stodgy in appearance, but said it
was a pleasure to drive, as it started quickly, drove great. A few
frowns crept up on his drive, those being a horn that wouldn't
toot, a heater blower that didn't blow, reverse lights that
wouldn't illuminate and a notable amount of squeaks and rattles
were heard. Overall a solid B+ on the report card.
A very nice full restoration with a nowlightly hopped up engine,
and some performance extras. Looking very mid 60's on the interior
and save for the Rally wheels and the headers, it's pretty much
suburban transportation preserved nicely, but with an underlying
kick. The beauty of an engine bay, all ready to play like it's
1966.
115376N156180
1-Chevrolet
15-Chevy II 400 I6
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
6-1966
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
156180-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
04D-4th Week April
ST 66 11637-1966 Chevy II 400 Nova 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY NOR112246-Norwood Body #
TR 735A-Blue Standard Vinyl Bench
PNT FF-Marina Blue
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
