Oppopinions time: 1977 Nova

"Dsscats" (dsscats)
03/30/2015 at 23:18 • Filed to: None

Got offered this 1978 Nova for my Z...thoughts?

I own a super-clean 1977 Chevy Nova Rally with a stock 305 V8 engine and plenty of upgrades.

Here are details on the Nova:

305 V8 original engine

3-speed automatic transmission (shifts smoothly and rides well)

About 74,000 original miles

The car was assembled in Van Nuys, CA and has never left the state (I'm the 3rd owner)

Somewhat rare as only 6,901 Novas were built in 1977 with the Rally trim package

The car is mostly original (factory air, power steering, rally rims, a white vinyl roof and a tilt-steering wheel)

Dual exhaust was added (no leaks or issues with the exhaust)

White leather (with black piping) upholstery front and back was added to existing bench seats

Windows were tinted

Disc brakes installed up front (just had them serviced a month or so ago)

Premium stereo (iPod/Phone compatible with remote) installed

Original (yellow) paint remains in pretty good shape considering it's age (there are a few flakes, dings, dents and worn spots, but nothing significant for a 38 year old car)

The engine is strong and starts up every time, even in cold weather

Transmission and rear differential were serviced and flushed in October and the carburetor was rebuilt in December

New gas shocks (with integrated coil springs) were installed on the rear of the car

There is a small crack on the driver's side of the dash, but overall the interior is in great shape

All gauges and components (lights, wipers, heater, A/C, etc.) work on the car (except the antenna motor)

Headliner and door panels are in very good condition

Carpet is excellent and car has heavy-duty mats up front (original floor mats still in the trunk)

Brand new tires (BF Goodrich Radial TA) with less than 3K miles on them

Brand new heavy-duty AC Delco battery

New power steering hose installed in November 2014

SSo thoughts? Is it anything worthy?

DISCUSSION (17)

bob and john > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:22

holy tits thats a clean nova

jkm7680 > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:24

yes.

Axial > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:29

Oh hell yes .

Birddog > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:31

Seriously? Jump dangit!

(Sorry.. I'm a "malaise era" apologist.)

Big Bubba Ray > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:31

I'm a huge fan of these Novas so yes.

lone_liberal > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:33

I don't know the collector value but it would seem likely that it's tied to the originality and in original condition an emissions strangled 305 wouldn't be very enjoyable to me. It's very cool to look at, though.

Your boy, BJR > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:34

yes.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:34

The keeper of JDM cannot into 'Merican cars. I don't always ask people to trust me but trust me.

You are spending the summer in Japan right? When you come home from there you are gonna have so much JDM running thru your veins that you won't even be able to look at an american car the same ever again.

Keep the Z and go to Japan for the summer. When you come back if you still feel you want an american car(you won't) then look at selling or trading the Z.

Oh and I should mention A 1977 Nova with a 305 only has 145hp

Three engines and four transmissions were available for every 1977 Chevrolet Nova, including Concours... a 145-horsepower 305 cubic-inch two-barrel V-8.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:36

I have no idea, but that Nova is gorgeous.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/30/2015 at 23:46

This. Plus I am almost positive it will be disappointing to drive when the vintage cool wears off. Smog choked 305s are dogs.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Dsscats
03/30/2015 at 23:48

I vote no. I grew up in the Z and Nova era. When they were new, the Nova was a cheap crappy bottom of the line car. The Z was exotic. The Nova is only neat now because it's old.

Also; in that era, instead of a Z or a Nova, my dad bought a Mazda RX-3, a incredibly cheap crappy Mazda with an incredibly crappy rotary engine that burned oil, had no power, and got incredibly bad gas mileage (nothing's changed). I'm sure they're rising in value too just because they're old and now rare. But they were bad cars like the Nova.

My cousin restored a Nova in the 1980's. Same color except monocolor. I don't know what the hell he was thinking when they weren't rare or old back then. I will admit, I like the look of that Nova now; my mind is just biased knowing how crappy they really were.

My dad later bought a Mercedes 240D and 300TD. Those were good cars; except for the no power part.

As long as I'm reminiscing about 70's cars. The cheap standard RWD Toyota Corollas of that era - those were GREAT handling cars! - felt solid like the Mercedes but more tossable.

lucky's pepper > Dsscats
03/31/2015 at 00:05

That is one purdy Nova. Of course I'm envisioning it with a nice crate motor, a posi for the probably open 10 bolt and a nice set of late 60s-early 70s rallys.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Dsscats
03/31/2015 at 00:22

Kinja'd!!!

Is what I would tell them...

Bird > Dsscats
03/31/2015 at 00:42

No...I had a Camaro RS with a woefully underpowered 305. The only redeeming quality to that car was the t-tops.That Nova doesn't have t-tops...it has a vinyl roof...

Your car looks better, handles better, has more power, and it has t-tops.

In going to go all old man on you now...I know you want to try something different, but keep that car. In 10 years you'll hate yourself for selling or trading it. Keep it clean, drive it for another few years while you save some cash, then buy something else. When you're older you'll be so happy you kept it.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Dsscats
03/31/2015 at 00:42

Is it a 240Z? Because I'd love to have one...

Or are you the 300ZX guy?

Dsscats > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun
03/31/2015 at 00:53

I'm the 300ZX guy

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Dsscats
03/31/2015 at 00:55

Too bad, I'd trade my 350 for a 240 or 260, as long as it ran and wasn't too rusty, no questions asked