1965 Chevrolet Nova SS

Description

This compact and ultra-clean 1965 Chevy Nova SS packs a nasty little surprise under its hood: a 383 cubic inch stroker motor with dual quads. So if you're ever out and about and notice this great-looking little hardtop roll up next to you, do yourself a favor and pretend you didn't notice it, because this is an apex predator on the street.

Hard to believe a Nova could be this pretty, isn't it? With a look that suggests a far more expensive and substantial car, Chevy's compact grocery-getter takes on a whole new upscale look when it's wrapped in Madeira Maroon. The affordable price really doesn't tell you much about how incredibly nice the paint is, with laser-straight bodywork and no deviations from stock. The finish was thoroughly wet-sanded and buffed to a high standard, and the final result is truly impressive in person. There's many Chevy II's out there in the field, but not many as clean and straight as this one. Make no mistake, this car is something that be driven proudly to any event of your choosing. Born as a true SS, it proudly wears the correct SS badging and crossed-flag emblems, subtly hinting at what's now hiding under the hood, but we'll get to that in a minute.

This car keeps everything low-key inside, where a stock bucket seat interior is pretty much the way Chevy intended almost fifty years ago. New upholstery wraps around the front and back seats, there are new door panels, fresh carpets, and a taut headliner overhead, so it's quite attractive. A wood-rimmed wheel is probably an option few Novas had when they were new, but it seems right at home in this warmed-over SS, and, of course, you know how we love the industrial look of a Hurst shifter sticking right out of the transmission tunnel like that. The original gauges are augmented by a center-mounted tachometer that looks like it was born there and there's an original AM radio to the right, more evidence that this car wasn't built to do anything but break hearts. The trunk is nicely finished spatter paint and a reproduction mat, but there is no spare since adding one would only add performance-sapping pounds.

This car's whole reason for being lives under the hood. Topped by a factory-looking dual-snorkel air cleaner and a set of aluminum heads, the 383 cubic inch stroker motor makes big block torque in a small block package, an ideal combination for the featherweight Nova. Dual four-barrel carburetors make for instantaneous throttle response and work well with the 383's propensity to rev. Finned valve covers, Chevy orange paint, and a few chrome bits enhance the attractive engine compartment, and you have to appreciate how they went the extra mile to make it all look as OEM as possible. It cackles on the overrun, but it's pretty docile around town with the kind of effortless torque that minimizes the need for shifting. The 4-speed transmission works well with the 383's broad torque curve and feeds a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end, because you know this sucker was built for combat. Ceramic-coated long-tube headers and a Flowmaster dual exhaust system don't do much to keep its identity a secret, but the sound is glorious. The stance was lowered just a bit and classic Rally wheels were fitted with 195/70/14 redline radials for a classic 1960s performance look.

Nicely documented with the original owner's manual, Protect-O-Plate, and window sticker, this is not only an awesome sleeper, but it's also an awesome collectable Chevy. Call today!