Vehicle Description
Popular cars are popular for a reason, and cars like this 1973
Chevrolet Nova remains a perennial best-seller here at Streetside
Classics. Why? How about a combination of butch good looks,
rumbling V8s under the hood, and a spacious, useful interior that
still looks great today? This one, with its eye-popping paint and
impressive performance will answer any other questions you may
have.
The square-jawed Nova sure looked good, even after performance
started to wane (not that it's a problem here, but we'll have more
on that in a moment). With chiseled contours that make it look like
it was carved from a block of granite, this bright Hugger Orange
Nova obviously doesn't put up with pretenders on the street. Its
extroverted paint job acts like a beacon, daring others to give it
a run, but the smart ones know that light weight and a V8 mean that
it'll be a handful no matter what they're driving. Although it was
finished a few years ago, this two-door sedan still looks great
which is a tribute to the workmanship and care it has received
since it was finished. Straight sheetmetal and decent gaps mean
that they took their time, and the bright, shiny paint has been
properly maintained to retain its gloss, especially important on
cars with stripe. They left enough chrome in place to make it
sparkle, adding a cowl-induction hood and a blacked-out SS grille
for a bit of attitude. This Nova's like a road map of how to do it
right.
Black is the color of choice for the interior, and at first glance
it looks pretty stock. A bench seat was standard equipment on the
Nova and it works well here, adding to the no-frills performance
vibe. However, there are plenty of upgrades, including that lovely
wood-rimmed steering wheel and a slick B&M shifter managing a
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. The original instrument panel
has been filled with white-faced gauges from Equus and the fit is
tidy. An AM/FM stereo in the center of the dash neatly replaces the
original and with speakers in the kick panels and on the rear
package shelf, it makes this car easy to drive around town or
cross-country. Despite its compact size, the Nova also offers a
spacious trunk with no signs of the dreaded tin worm
underneath.
V8 power in a lightweight package makes for impressive performance,
and the 350 cubic inch Chevy Vortec crate motor delivers. With a
big Holley carb and Weiand Stealth intake manifold, plenty of
chrome, and a great soundtrack, this Nova certainly walks and talks
like a true muscle car. Thanks to careful tuning and an MSD
ignition system, it has all the virtues you'd expect of Chevy's
famous small block and none of the vices. Long-tube headers and
fresh Flowmaster mufflers give it a great bark to match its bite,
and with 3.73 gears in the 10-bolt Posi rear end, it's punchy
around town but cruises easily thanks to the overdrive
transmission. The chassis is impressively solid and clean, more
proof of an easy life down south, and great-looking Weld aluminum
wheels with staggered 175/65/15 front and 255/60/15 rear
performance radials offer the perfect stance.
Fast, inexpensive fun was always the Nova's promise, and this one
still delivers more than 40 years later. Wondering why these are so
popular? Come on down and we'll show you. Call now!
