It still amazes me what I learn about my wife even after almost 24 years of marriage. You see when I get stuck on what car to write about for my Pick of the Day, I sometimes will ask a friend if they have any ideas. I use that idea to find a nice example at a fair price on ClassicCars.com.
It being almost 8 p.m. I asked my wife who, while not a dyed in the wool car person, still knows what she likes if she had any ideas.
Her response to my surprise was, “How about a Chevy Nova.”
My immediate response to my wife, who collects Saabs was, “You like Novas?”
“Yes, I think they are neat cars and look cool. I have always liked Novas since I was little.”
Since I have never owned a Nova, I called my friend Joe Murphy in Pittsburgh who, you guessed it, collects Novas. He currently has 4 of them from various eras. I asked Joe what it was about the Nova that he liked so much.
Joe said, “The Nova is reliable, simple to maintain, and fun to drive. There are lots of different models with something for everyone. You just feel good while you drive them. What you get in a Nova is a steering wheel, a shifter, and an engine, that about it. They are fun to drive because of that simplicity. I have had my 1964 SS for 31 years with its straight six engine, Powerglide transmission, bucket seats, under dash air. All I have done in 31 years is replace a set of plug wires, a distributor cap, spark plugs, and change the oil regularly. I’ts one of those cars where you just sit with your arm out the window while you drive it, enjoying being behind the wheel. On the highway it will cruise all day at 65 mph and while the engine might be screaming a little it just runs and runs. It’s a no-worries car that you just get in it and drive.”
With this kind of endorsement, the Pick of the Day is a 1963 Nova SS painted in its original color of Ermine White over a Aqua vinyl interior with factory bucket seats. This car is located in Depew, New York.
The seller states that this 1963 Chevrolet Nova SS is just the way it was when it came from the factory. This vehicle is in excellent shape inside and out! Look at the photos to see how clean the trunk and undercarriage are.
This Nova features its correct inline-six motor and automatic transmission. Before you think how could this be a SS with a 6 cylinder engine, you need to know that all 1963 and ’64 Nova SS cars are powered by an inline-six.
This vehicle is also equipped with air conditioning. The Cowl plate decodes as: 06C built third week of June of 1963, 196304, Chevy II Nova 400 with a 6 cyl, 37, 2 door coupe, KC: Kansas City, MO assembly plant, 11422, build Sequence, 721, Aqua vinyl buckets, 936E Ermine White, B70, Tinted Windshield, M35, Padded Dash, Z03, Powerglide Transmission, and the first sequence designates it as a Super Sport.
It is missing two things, the trim on top of the fenders and the rear wheel well trim. Since this is somewhat hard to find, we are guessing it got misplaced when it was painted. In addition, the rear of the car between the taillights should be painted silver. Beyond that this car is a nice example and these are all things that can be attended to.
In 1991 my friend Joe paid $2,650 for his 1964 Nova SS. Sadly those days are long gone, but the $34,963 asking price of this car is more than fair in the market today.
So, if you want a classic American that is the definition of easy, you should consider this 1963 Nova SS. Who knows, 30 plus years later it might end up being your favorite car too.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
6 cyl. And Poerglide sre a hsrd NO for me. 327 w/ 4-speed= Minni Muscle car!
Amen to that. I find it ironic that the marketing department for Chevrolet would have a SS package with a tame 6 cylinder and a Powerglide transmission. 327 with a B&W T-10 or Muncie 4 speed.
The Super Sport, starting in 1962, was a buckets-and-console trim package, not a performance package. This also was true for the 1963 Nova SS and 1964 Chevelle SS.
In 1966, the Chevelle SS became a dedicated performance model–at least in the U.S. Ditto the 1968 Nova SS. The Impala SS was never a dedicated performance model except for 1961 and the SS 427 from 1967-69.
Quibbles. I had a high school bud that had one of these in white but a red interior. Yon Stovebolt 6/Powerslide was ditched for a very high strung solid lifter 327, with a gear drive and dual quads on a medium rise Offenhauser intake w/Hookers dumping the exhaust right before the rear axle. The Muncie 4spd and 12bolt 4.56posi came from a wrecked Camaro (the rear axle was a bit too wide, but it was the ’70s and it worked). It was a handful to drive, but was dude’s daily, winter and all, til he went to college.
God I miss the screaming.
All the critical SS chrome is missing down the sides. There is SS-only trim that adorns the full belt lines that is not present, and the full set of trim going down the center on both sides is missing.
Also, if factory equipped with the front grille guard, there was an extension added to the hood release to make it easy to reach, since the guard made it hard to pull. I’m sure many items were added, but with critical SS items missing, it needs to be reflected in the price, and stated as such.
It is a very nice car, no doubt. but not correct.
this is a chevy II.
It’s between you and the seller, but the Nova SS was Chevrolet’s Chevy II with bucket seats and console..
I’m so lucky to have such great car nuts like me . Enjoy what we all do with cars!! Your friend : Dan Dreyer
I had a 62 Nova SS convertible with the 194 6 cylinder….no air w powerglide. That car wouldn’t get out of it’s own way. I can only imagine it with a/c
I had a 63 Chevy nova ss,with a tight 283 V8 with a powerglide .sweet car,shift in the floor
I’ll offer 15k. It needs lots of work and reay not that fetching of a car.