1974 Chevrolet Nova Hatchback

Description

Custom Blue Metallic paint, a strong 350 V8 heart, and a comfortable custom interior... Oh, and it's an ultra-rare hatchback body style to boot. For those who want to be unique and stay on an affordable budget, this 1974 Chevrolet Nova Hatchback seems to check all the right boxes.

These late third-generation Novas are often forgotten in the traditional classic car world because insurance regulations had taken the power away from these cool little coupes. It's a shame because this was also one of the most interesting designs in the Nova's history. That's what makes this car so exciting, we just simply don't see a lot of them. The custom Blue Metallic paint on the car now is obviously way more attention-grabbing than what came out of the factory, but we appreciate the somewhat wild hue on this Nova's swooping body lines. The blue hade has lots of metallic in the finish that sparkles out in the sun, and some hand-made ghost flames were laid over the top for trick look that really sets this car above the rest. Fit and finish is good driver-quality, meaning that it shows well but upon closer examination some flaws are evident. But this baby wasn't built for the trophy circuit, but rather for the open roads and thoroughfares. The ghost flames continue down the fenders and flanks of the body to break up the blue just enough, and the remaining brightwork and bumpers are in decent condition but can be made to shine with a little elbow grease. A slight cowl hood gives the car a more aggressive look, while the big glass in the back hatch is clear and provides a cool fish-bowl feel for all passengers.

The serviceable feel continues on the inside with modern cloth bucket seats up front that look like they were swapped-in from a later-model Camaro. Not only are they far more comfortable than anything that came out of the 70s, but you also have seatbelt and cool Bowtie embroidery in the headrests. The front seats match nicely with the rest of the interior, including the stock door panels and plush carpets, for a well-presented, no-frills custom interior. There's a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit in the dash, and it manages the custom stereo system in the back-hatch area that features Kicker speakers and subwoofers. Other upgrades include a full complement of Dakota Digital gauges nestled neatly into the factory dash bezel, a three spoke 'SS' steering wheel, and an aftermarket Hurst ratchet-style shifter that manages the automatic transmission below. Like any good Nova, this is a true driver's car with a comfortable thick rim around the steering wheel, and the padded dash is in great shape too. Out back, there's decent storage room, as the custom stereo system and fuel cell were neatly installed for added space.

As we mentioned before, federal fuel/emissions regulations robbed power from this generation of American cars. That's why this Nova was given a 350 cubic-inch V8 under the hood, along with a few choice upgrades, to bring back memories of the powerful lightweight Novas we all loved in the '60s. Enhancements include a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a performance intake manifold, Trick Flow throttle, Holley electric fuel pump, and long tube headers that help the small block breathe. Now this Nova has a serious bark out of the dual exhaust thanks to the Flowmaster mufflers and an enhanced bite to back it all up. You'll love the way this full package goes down the road thanks to additional features like the TH350 three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, power front disc brakes, and modern Cooper Cobra white-letter radials wrapped around shiny Cragar S/S wheels at all four corners.

This is the kind of custom Nova we all knew the late third-gen car could (and should) be. Not too many people would have taken the time to do a hatchback like this correctly, which makes it an interesting classic wherever it goes. And at this affordable price we know it won't be with us long. Call today!!!