Vehicle Description
1973 Chevrolet Nova SS Sedan
In 1973, government mandates forced Chevrolet and others to add 5
mph front bumpers to their cars and that was the catalyst for a
facelift for the year, making it easy to differentiate between
early Gen 4 Novas from the 73 and 74. The SS option, which mostly
altered the car cosmetically, could be ordered with any engine
available, and since it cost just $123, it was a commonly ordered
package resulting in 35,542 being sold in '73.
For consignment, a 1973 Chevrolet Nova SS that has some go fast
mods tucked inside a stock looking exterior of a once ubiquitous
model. More than 2 million gen 3 Novas were built and with the
exception of a few models, most were marketed as small commuter
cars for the masses.
Exterior
Silver Pewter Metallic covers our car which is augmented by a black
vinyl top and new for 1973 grille with an egg crate design and turn
signals moved from the bumper to the grille. A black front fascia
is matched by the back where the panel is painted black around four
taillights over a massive rear bumper with great chrome and a black
trim piece. SS emblems reside on each of the four sides of the car
so that onlookers from any angle will know you have the option and
350 is on the fenders to denote the under hood occupant. Does it
still live there? Read on to find out! Meanwhile, the 14-inch
Chevrolet Rally wheels are painted to match and have polished rims,
sporting 70 series tires all around because that's how we rolled
back in the day. Imperfections include paint chips, drips, a few
dings, bubbling down low, cracking in the paint, various scratches,
and some fading on the vinyl top. The bumper fillers are cracked or
discolored and some of the panel gaps are less than perfect.
Interior
Black vinyl door panels are quintessentially GM for the period and
include a pull handle with woodgrain decorative trim. Black vinyl
also covers the split bench seat which shows a bit of wear, a small
tear, and an issue with the springs underneath that sends an
S-shaped bulge across the bottom piece. The rear bench, conversely,
is in excellent condition and the passengers are afforded a window
crank and ashtray. A simple SS emblazoned steering wheel has a horn
that spans the center spoke and it shares the column with the
shifter. The basic dash has a horizontal speedometer, fuel gauge,
and tachometer and all other info is relayed through idiot lights.
A more modern AM/FM/CD radio is in the dash and vent controls are
arranged vertically above the radio. The black carpet shows some
age, the headliner is in good condition, and the trunk is uncovered
and relatively clean.
Drivetrain
Clean and driver quality would be how we classify the engine bay
which has lots of room to maneuver and clear access to every part
of the engine. In this case, a consignor stated 383ci stroker which
has dual Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors over an Edelbrock intake
manifold. It also has aluminum heads, headers, MSD ignition, and
our consignor also states roller lifters and rockers. A TH350
3-speed automatic transmission sends power to a 10 bolt axle with
2.73 gears and Positraction. Power brakes are underfoot and consist
of disc up front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
There's plenty of surface rust but nothing of major concern and
certainly no invasive rust. The floor pans and rear differential
are dry. The 3" exhaust takes center stage as it enters an X-pipe
then a pair of electric cutouts while the main pipe heads to the
back, through a pair of bullet mufflers, then exits behind the rear
wheels. Coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back make up
the suspension in the typical configuration of the day.
Drive-Ability
Even through the full exhaust, the car sounds great and healthy.
The cutouts will probably get you thrown out of your HOA, but it
would be worth it. That said, the car runs well, has plenty of
power on hand, brakes, handles, and shifts just fine. None of the
functional items malfunctioned and this car is ready for its next
home! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
What was considered a small car back in the day has decent heft
today and is often the platform for modification as it's easy,
relatively inexpensive, and can be done without compromising
external design. And that's exactly what we have here, a healthy
breathing street machine, once a commuter car and now a muscle car.
If precious metals are in your portfolio, check out this Pewter
beauty.
1Y27H3W294744
1-Chevrolet
Y-Nova Custom
27-2 Door Sedan
H-350ci 2bbl V8
3-1973
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
294744-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
