1963 Chevrolet Nova

Description

Do you ever just look at a car and say, "Yes!" With its bright paint, nicely appointed interior, and V8 power, this rare 1963 Chevrolet II Nova convertible fits in with the Mustang crowd but gallops in its own direction.

You don't see too many of these Nova convertibles around do you? That's because the lower production numbers meant you were over 10 times more likely to see a coupe or sedan than a ragtop. And even fewer received the top-of-the-line Nova treatment. On top of that, this was one of the most expensive Novas around in the day. In fact, when new, these were actually priced higher than the next rung up the Chevy ladder, the Biscayne. Today that rarity buys true distinction. It's a few years before the Mustang would debut, but this one has a lot of that small car with nice flare attitude. You see it in the factory items like bright grille, wide mirror-like bumpers, and lower richer trim. But more importantly, this one has been nicely upgraded with a cowl induction hood and Carousel Red paint (yes, it's also known as GM's legendary Hugger Orange!)

The interior received a full color switchover during its restoration, and the professional work means it looks fresher than any other '60s machine out there. Underneath the tan folding top is a nice fawn interior with plenty of coordinating taupe metallic touches on the vinyl seats and door panels. Everything looks correct and pristine from behind the stylized factory wheel – from the original gauge cluster, to the heat/defrost knobs. But of course there is one very welcomed upgrade that's easy to spot. These usually came from the factory with AM radios, but we all know this spacious convertible has room for family and friends. So to keep them all entertained on the way to the cruise-in, a full AM/FM/CD stereo with an auxiliary input was installed.

The first Chevy II Nova originally only carried an inline-six, but today there's a proper 283 cubic-inch V8, just as a cool convertible like this should have. The upgrade is easily accepted in the engine bay considering it was a factory option the next year, but this more than just a bolt-in and go during restoration. The V8 was thoroughly checked over for proper compression and reliability. Then they made sure it looked great in the engine bay with the tidy wiring, as well as the bright air cleaner and valve covers. It even has the ram's horn exhaust manifolds to make the 283 look like it belonged in this Nova from day one. It connects to a newer dual exhaust system that provides the perfect added bass to announce this upgraded heartbeat. The Powerglide automatic transmission is plenty tough for V8 duty and channels power to the 10-bolt rear end. Now that this Nova convertible has the good power in its lightweight package, you'll be glad to have the grip of modern Kumho Solus tires.

Here's a classic convertible that gets it all right. Interesting paint, inviting interior, and solid V8 performance makes for a distinctive package that stands out anywhere, and offered in is a solid vintage machine that's welcomed everywhere. Call now!!