Vehicle Description
In 1966 the compact Nova received a hard-edged facelift that
mirrored Chevy's successful Chevelle and Impala. That being said,
sharp sheetmetal paled in comparison to the car's most significant
upgrade: the legendary L79 option. As intentionally nondescript as
the Super Sport trim it accompanied, L79 netted the car's lucky new
owner a 327 cubic inch, 350 horsepower small block that was cribbed
directly from the Corvette. That mill was certainly a hit, as a
little over 5,400 of the red-hot bowties were ordered. But,
unfortunately, most were purchased strictly for the quarter mile,
which means, thanks to the law of attrition, finding an authentic
L79 Nova is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, as you know,
your friends at RK Motors Charlotte take pride in specializing in
rare and hard to find classics. And that's why we're proud to
feature this fully documented, MacNeish-certified L79 Nova.
Wrapping a numbers-matching drivetrain in correct turquoise on
turquoise aesthetics, this retro wonder transforms the phrase
"investment grade compact" from oxymoron into fact!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a detailed rotisserie restoration that was
completed in late 2015, this Nova is a sharp weekend cruiser that
currently presents much better than original factory fodder. During
the car's precise reboot, solid sheetmetal was completely striped
of its dull, original pigment. With that shell removed, and its
foundation massaged into great alignment, correct Tropic Turquoise
base was sealed in mirror-like clear. And today, one close look at
our high-resolution photos reveals a handsome payoff in the form of
one slick Chevrolet muscle car!
The subdued and classy lines of the prototypical Nova are early
'60s conservative. And because they're so universal in appeal,
they've continued to gain significant popularity. At the front of
this hardtop, a straight grille hangs a classy "CHEVY II SS" badge
between a guarded bumper, clear parking lamps and stainless-trimmed
T3 headlights. Above that grille, a finned hood anchors a simple
Chevrolet crest in front of clean glass, polished wipers and
polished stainless frames. At the sides of that hood, a modernist
profile centers small fender emblems, ornate quarter scripts and
traditional door handles between straight wheel trim, a polished
driver's mirror and correct Super Sport rocker guards. And at the
back of the car, correct Super Sport trunk trim hangs red-detailed
badging between a correct antenna, vertical tail lamps and a second
guarded bumper.
ENGINE
Even if you forget everything else we tell you about this Chevy II,
be sure to pay VERY close attention to what's under the car's hood.
Motivating this real-deal Super Sport is a 1966-exclusive L79 V8
that, according to the factory, twists stout 11 to 1 compression
into 350 Corvette-matching horsepower. Savvy collectors will
quickly locate the original 327's correct 3791362 casting number,
correct "ZI" suffix stamp and matching 165788 partial VIN. Casual
observers will be quick to notice the mill's L79-exclusive
polished, twin-snorkel air cleaner. And everyone will start to vibe
when air and fuel flow from a big Holley carburetor in to a hot
Winters intake that's framed by high-flow cylinder heads! That
air/fuel mixture meets spark thanks to Packard TV R Suppression
cables, which crawl around polished valve covers on their way to a
correct points distributor. Spent gases fall through old school
cast iron exhaust manifolds. There's a big Harrison radiator that
joins an AC fuel pump, a correct alternator and a reproduction
Delco battery to round out the car's first-rate ancillaries. And,
when it comes to keeping up appearances, the entire engine
compartment, from its polished fuel line and polished oil filler to
its Chevy Orange block and Satin Black fenders, is clean,
attractive and ready to roll!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION One look under this sturdy compact reveals a
solid chassis that's just as road-ready as the car's stout 327.
Power flows through an original Muncie M20 4-speed, which hangs a
Muncie (P) assembled on May (05) 9th (09) 1966 build stamp behind a
correct 3885010 casting number. That transmission twists an
original "BS" branded 12-bolt that's finished with correct 3.31
gears and a correct posi-traction differential. Holding that
virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a restored
double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension. Stops come
courtesy of manual drum brakes. Exhaust flows from the
aforementioned manifolds to modern, aluminized pipes, which precede
correct resonators and factory replacement mufflers. The body's
fully restored floors wear a smooth layer of Satin Black paint. And
all that old school Americana rolls on painted steelies, which spin
6.95-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown 660 whitewalls around polished Super
Sport hub caps.
INTERIOR
Regardless of what motor made its way in to the subframe, the Nova
always stayed true to its simplistic roots. No place was that more
evident than in the car's cockpit. Front and center, nicely
restored thrones provide seating. A showroom-quality dash balances
rebuilt gauges next to a knee-knocker tach and correct Delco
pushbutton radio. Beneath that dash, a Corvette-style shifter rides
a chrome-trimmed console, which floats on like-new carpet that's
protected by color-keyed floor mats. At the sides of that carpet,
classy door panels are, like the car's headliner and package tray,
virtually devoid of weathering. In front of the driver, satin,
speed-drilled spokes spin faux wood rims around an ornate Chevrolet
horn button. And behind the passengers, a matted trunk hides a
correct jack and full-size spare tire beneath a decaled
decklid.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A quick look at this Nova's VIN, Cowl Tag and Protect-O-Plate
authenticates it status as a correct, real-deal L79 Super
Sport.
VIN: 118376N165788
1: Chevrolet Motor Division
18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
37: 2-door coupe
6: 1966 model year
N: Assembled in Norwood, Ohio
165788: Production Sequence Number
COWL TAG:
05C: Assembled during the third week � of May (05), 1966
66: 1966 model year
11837: Chevrolet (1) Chevy II Nova SS (18) 2-door coupe (37)
NOR: Assembled in Norwood, Ohio
128241: Fisher Body number
781-B: Turquoise interior that's fitted with bucket seats
L-L: Tropic Turquoise paint
W: Tinted windshield
2: Options Group 2
L: 4-speed transmission
S: Rear antenna
4: Options Group 4
F: Z01/Z13 Comfort and Convenience Package
5: Options Group 5
Y: Deluxe seatbelts
PROTECT-O-PLATE:
T: Turquoise interior
LL: Tropic Turquoise exterior
118376N165788: The car's VIN
- 1: Chevrolet Motor Division
- 18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
- 37: 2-door coupe
- 6: 1966 model year
- N: Assembled in Norwood, Ohio
- 165788: Production Sequence Number
H: Equipped with a Holley carburetor
F0509ZI: The car's engine stamp
- ZI: Chevy II-exclusive special high performance 327
- F: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
- 0509: On May 9th, 1966
BS0511G: The car's rear axle stamp
- BS: 12-bolt axle that's fitted with a posi-tractio...for more
information please contact the seller.
