1969 Chevrolet Nova

Description

Chevy's all-new Nova hit the streets in 1968 and despite its mission as a modestly-sized, affordable car, the engineers at GM made sure that a big block would fit comfortably under the hood. Because of this, cars like this super-clean 1969 Chevrolet Nova make for some very impressive street machines, offering a strong-running 402 V8 LS3 big block in that lightweight 2-door sedan body shell. And with all that pop you get a big heaping of good looks too, with a sinister black-on-black color combination set against some eye-blinding bright chrome that really gets the crowds in an uproar. Take a closer look but do so quickly, because whenever a mysterious black hat like this rolls into town, he never stays long.

But before we get to all that power under the bonnet, let's have a good hard look at how beautiful this street brawler actually is. The finish is recent and gives the car a definite performance look, with a depth of clarity that only comes from layers of high-quality paint put down right over a straight body. Traditional 'SS' and '396' badges, chrome vents in the hood, and the body-long trim slashed down the profiles give it that street swagger that practically defines the era. The paint is in great shape with nary an imperfection to speak of short of one pinkie-sized touch-up we found on the hood, with none of the hazing and light scratching you usually see on black vintage metal after it's been washed incorrectly a dozen times. Forgoing the requisite obnoxious stripes down the middle of the car means that it's actually different enough to stand out in a crowded field, and you can tell a lot of care went into the restoration when you look down the sides and see how straight the bodywork really is. The whole car fits together rather well with doors that close easily, a hood that fits flush, and just a bit of rake to accentuate the Nova's semi-fastback profile. Always a favorite of Chevy fans, the '69 Nova's grille is a very attractive design that seems to wrap around the headlights, setting the tone for the rest of the car from the onset. Chrome bumpers fore and aft, a bit of polished stainless around the windows, and a tough-looking rear-end with a blacked-out tail-panel and dual exhaust tips jutting out underneath result in one clean-looking chunk of elegant vintage muscle.

You can tell the interior was built for combat as well, with high-back buckets, 3-spoke steering wheel, and a console shifter that set the tone inside. The Nova's no-frills attitude gives way to restored comfort that includes those neatly appointed black bucket seats up front and matching bench in the back – all upholstered in vintage vinyl that still looks great today. Factory gauges fill the stock dashboard, and they're joined by a pair of auxiliary gauges in the usual spot underneath, while the dash pad up top is crack-free and clean, matching the presentation of the beautiful door panels. An older AM/FM/Casette 'Coustic' radio handles the entertainment and the original heater/defroster unit will need some service to once again be effective. The center console splits the buckets and houses the chrome shifter for the automatic transmission, and with plush black carpets at your feet and a taut headliner above, the blacked-out cabin has a tidy all-together feel that's just right for this vintage Nova. Out back, the trunk is surprisingly spacious and clutter-free to show off just how solid the pans in this '69 really are.

The aforementioned 402 cubic inch V8 LS3 under the hood is the star of the show, putting big block punch inside the Nova's lightweight package. Borrowed from a 1970 Chevelle and packing a factory-rated 330 horses, it's a neat fit in the Nova's engine bay that looks great, so you can easily where the money was spent on this one. A Holley 4-barrel carburetor lives atop a Weiand Stealth intake manifold for easing breathing, and the bright chrome valve covers and matching open air cleaner add a lot of pop to the otherwise satin black engine bay. The Chevy Orange enamel on the block is a familiar and correct look and with a nimble body and responsive power front disc brakes, this Nova is always a pleasure to drive. A big radiator keeps things cool while long-tube headers feed a Flowmaster dual exhaust system underneath that's a perfect baritone complement to the lopey 402 engine. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and the heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end doesn't seem to mind the torque churning through it. Staggered 215/65/15 front and 255/60/15 rear white-letter Mastercraft tires on polished Eagle Alloys wheels complete the potent look, giving this Nova a perfect stance.

Nicely built, attractive, and impressively fast, this big block Nova offers everything you'd want in a vintage muscle car. Call today!