Don't Restore It: 1970 Chevrolet Nova

If there is one thing that young car buyers must understand, it is this; they are only original once.  If this next car is purchased by a well meaning 21 year old version of myself...it could well end up with a decent new paint job and a fire breathing 350 v8 build connected to a 6-speed manual...which would be fantastic...but it'll lose some of the charm and charisma of a car that could have been an extra on an episode of CHiPs and deserves to be kept in a garage, driven twice a week, and not restored.  Find this 1970 Chevrolet Nova offered for $9500 in Wildomar, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

The Caminova: 1971 Chevrolet Nova Pickup

I don't often travel to the wild open desert, but when I do, I enjoy staring at the starry night sky and pondering the existential questions of the universe.  Such as; Why are we here?  What color should my next car be? What would a Chevy Nova Pickup look like?  Yeah.  The basic stuff that everything thinks about when they have time.  However, I've got a real lifesaver for you guys today -- find this 1971 Chevrolet Nova Pickup offered for $11,500 in Columbus, OH via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Like A Nova: 1973 Oldsmobile Omega

The original Oldsmobile Omega was a badge engineered version of the X-platform Chevrolet Nova and was sold in two generations 1973-1974 and 1975-1979.  The Omega was more luxurious than the Nova it was based on, but it still rode on the same basic chassis and is just as wonderful or horrible depending on who you talk to about it.  Novas in good shape demand some coin, but the equivalent Oldsmobile Omega (or Buick Apollo or Pontiac Ventura) are offered for cheap. Find this 1973 Oldsmobile Omega offered for $6,500 in Spokane, WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Star Wars Special: 1977 Chevrolet Nova

Remember that Star Wars Christmas Special -- the one where Bea Arthur sang a song in the Mos Eisley Cantina and then everybody does hallucinogenic mushrooms and watches cartoons...yeah, that was a terrible combination of machines and men but this next thing from 1977 (the year Star Wars hit the big screen) might renew some hope for the future of the galaxy.  Find this 1977 Chevrolet Nova here on eBay bidding for $6,300 reserve-not-met with buy-it-now of $11,000.

Low Mile Survivor: 1974 Chevrolet Nova

The third generation Nova was first sold in 1968 -- right at the peak of the 60s Muscle car glory days, but the car continued to be built through 1974...which was right at the peak of the infamous Arab oil embargo.  Gas prices went through the roof, safety requirements added mass, and emissions limits restricted power...you can see where this was going, which was nowhere fast in a new car.  Find this 1974 Chevrolet Nova here on eBay bidding for $7,700 reserve-not-met located in Warwick, NY with 4 days to go.

Rusty Star: 1971 Chevrolet Nova 454 V8

What does original paint, a big block V8, a functioning horn, and about five large have in common?  Nothing, in the normal world, but today we find the world very not normal.  Find this 1971 Chevrolet Nova 454 V8 offered for $4,850 in Holbrook, NY via craigslist. Tip from Pat L.

Your Ride Is Almost Ready Lord Vader: 1970 Chevrolet Nova

You don't have to be a country music and moonshine lovin' redneck to appreciate this next slice of Americana...but it sure helps.  The 3rd generation (1968-1974) Chevrolet Nova attracts rednecks like a light-saber attracts imperial attention at a Mos Eisley tavern.  Find this 1970 Chevrolet Nova here on eBay bidding for $11,099 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Colorado Springs, CO.

Auction Watch: 1972 Chevrolet Nova

Find this 1972 Chevrolet Nova bidding for $1,175 with buy-it-now of $14,800 here on eBay located in Northport, NY with 6 days to go.

Super Nova: 1973 Buick Apollo

The Apollo of Ancient Greek mythology is a larger than life character, the son of Zeus, who shoots arrows infected with the plague at his enemies, but the Apollo of GM's bastardized fleet was something of a pretender. Find this 1973 Buick Apollo here on eBay bidding for $3,500 reserve-not-met with a buy-it-now of $8,600, located in Two Rivers, WI.

Does It Run: 1972 Chevrolet Nova

 The term nova, with regards to astronomy, is attributed to the noted Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe who described the phenomenon in his book De Nova Stella (Latin for "Of the New Star").  It is a sudden brightening of a star that occurs in binary star system when one star (usually a white dwarf) pulls a big chunk of hydrogen from the surface of its companion star and a cataclysmic runaway nuclear explosion occurs.  It can't be possible that GM knew the fabulous Corvair would crash/burn while the Nova would run away with the crown as GM's top compact back in the early 60s...but it sure looks that way.  Find this 1972 Chevrolet Nova offered for $6,500 in Rincon, GA via craigslist.  Tip from Fuel Truck.

Auction Watch: 1972 Chevrolet Nova Sedan

Find this 1972 Chevrolet Nova Sedan here on eBay bidding for $6,950 with auction ending today (Friday) at 1140AM Pacific.

Auction Watch: 1966 Chevrolet Nova II Custom

Find this 1966 Chevrolet Nova II Custom here on eBay bidding for $5,200 with auction ending today at 11:36AM Pacific.

Snova-mobile: 1970 Chevrolet Nova Custom

When does a custom car stop being simply a car and become a legend?  I dunno, but I can tell you that you are getting close when you add the length of a Suburban and 6 wheels powering treads to the back of your Chevy Nova.  Find this 1970 Chevrolet Nova Custom Snowmobile offered for $2,500 in Round Mountain, NV.

Vintage Bruiser: 1965 Chevrolet Nova Wagon

The Chevy II was launched in 1962 as GM's competitor to the compact (and fast selling) Ford Falcon and eventually assumed the name Nova a few years later.  The II/Nova was not a revolutionary car like the rear air-cooled engined Corvair and instead was a bare bones 18 month concept-to-showroom front-engine rear-drive compact that was designed to appeal to the mainstream buyer in the mid 60s, and it sold quite well.  Find this 1965 Chevrolet Nova Wagon offered for $9,500 in Trenton, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck. 

5k: No Love: 1966 Chevrolet II Nova 4-Door Sedan

I always feel sorry for well preserved 4-door muscle cars.  They get no respect.  It is a shame because they do offer more room for your kids, plus easy rear seat access for adults...and they can be picked up for cheap.  Find this 1966 Chevrolet Nova 4-Door Sedan offered for $8000 in Phoenix, AZ.  Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: Super Sport Survivor: 1965 Chevrolet Chevy II

The Chevy II was a compact sedan offered from Chevrolet starting in the 1962 model year. This "compact" offered a conventional alternative to the wacky rear-engined Corvair and could be powered with various powerplants by the mid 60s.  Today the Chevy II is seen around the country in car shows with all manner of huge V8s shoved into the front, so to find a factory 283 SS version in survivor condition bidding for a reasonable amount of money is great.  Find this 1965 Chevrolet Chevy II SS currently bidding for $9,000 with 2 days to go, located in Las Vegas, NV.

10k: 355CI SBC w 700R4: 1965 Chevrolet II Nova Wagon

 The Chevy II was introduced in 1962 as GM's competitor to the compact Ford Falcon and eventually assumed the name Nova in 1969.  The II/Nova was never designed to be a revolutionary car like the rear air-cooled engined Corvair and instead was a bare bones 18 month concept-to-showroom front engine rear drive compact that appealed more to mainstream conservative buyers in the mid 60s.  Today, the first generation Nova is reasonably affordable and high production numbers mean you can find one in various condition for every budget...like a crazy tire shredding wagon for about $10k.  Find this 1965 Chevy Nova Wagon offered for $10,499 buy-it-now on ebay, located in Dana Point, CA with one day to go.  Tip from Hank M.