I ran across an ad for an auction next weekend with a 79 Nova in it. I dont know squat about them, just wonder if any of them were special or all the same with low HP engines etc?
There was no info. on what the car had for options so Im hunting blind here.
:beers:

I've got a '78 and a '77 nova. The only thing you might find "special" about it is that it could have the f41 suspension package on it. My '77 (the one with the 388) has the f41 package on it, which has the front and rear sway bars, and different rate springs, and a different ratio steering box, etc. I think you could still get a 4bbl 350 in the nova in '79, but the biggest majority of them are 250 I-6 powered, and most of the V8 powered ones was 305 equipped from the factory. GM was also weird about the rear ends on these. Both my cars have the 8.5" 10 bolt...and the '78 was a factory I6 car, but I have also seen the 6 and 8 cars equipped with the 7.5" rear end. The 8.5" is much more common though and as you know is plenty strong for most street applications.
I have tons of info about these things. I know they are relatively undesireable but they make a good poor mans hot rod.

Travis, I actually like them along with the 78-81 Malibus/El Caminos. The only problem is here we can't modify them much do to the smog laws. That's the only thing that keeps me away from them. I think they can look great when done right.

I've read that a small amount of them came with manual trannys. Hard to find tho. http://www.novaresource.org/trans.htm

My '78 has a 250 I6, and a 3 on the tree :D Dang thing got 25mpg with the 3 speed and 2.73 rear gears.

Royce, I like 'em too...and I'm getting pretty good at working on 'em :D

I had a 79 hatchback with the I6 and wasn't a bad car for getting from point a to b. I bought a 350 to replace the 6 and tried to blow up the 6, couldn't do it !
Replaced the motor anyway and a week later in the rain wrapped it around a pole, (lucky to be alive) young and dumb.

By coincidence, a friend of mine call me two weeks ago, telling me he might sell his 76. Car was originally a 305, but he instaled a rebuilt 350 w/alum manifold and a 600 cfm holley. Rebuilt TH350 with shift kit, headers and dual exhaust. Cold a/c, A/R 15" alum wheels, good interiors, good body with some rust starting on the lower door, tail panel & rear flares area.(noticed they're prone to get rust?) He asked $1800, but I don't know if it's a good price on that type of model car. Didn't pushed him on price, cause I noticed he isn't completely decided to sell. What you Guys think?

great info. guys, thanks :) I might go look at it, but then I loose 4 hours of time in the garage working on my camaro :beer:

Just found out it is a 2 door, 69,000 original miles, 305 V8 P/S and P/B , only driven one winter, parked by old guy with cloth cover over it. original rally wheels. Its brown and might have vinyl top. Has original spare too. Guess I will go see what it might go for. Maybe I can pick it up, polish it and resell it for profit to buy new camaro parts :)

great info. guys, thanks :)
...parked by old guy
Its brown and might have vinyl top... :)


Man - I'd be on the look-out for a factory "8-track" also :hurray:
Just be sure to wear 'Polyester' "Sans-a-belt's" and he'll let it go cheap to you "click"... ;)

Im heading up to the auction, the head dude said the car would be auctioned around 1230 so I will get there at noon on Sat. . Might be fun. Its been ages since I was at an auction. :)

Well I passed on the Nova. It had tan vinyl top and the metal under the rear behind the 1/4 window was all rusted thru 'under the vinyl' you cant see it, but when you push on the vinyl it goes wayyyy in, :( it also had rust in front of and beind both rear wheels. Underside of hood was badly rusted, as was engine bay, p/b unit, etc. Inside was just 'ok' smelled of moth balls. Driver door has been wrecked and a home paint job with overspray over the GM stickers, the door hung low, hit the pin when closing. It sold for $1050 . I did buy 2 nice long 'rubber' coated jumper cables, got both sets for $4 total. So I scored that and made the 1 hour each way trip worth it, ran into some old buddies too.

Well I passed on the Nova. It had tan vinyl top and the metal under the rear behind the 1/4 window was all rusted thru 'under the vinyl' you cant see it, but when you push on the vinyl it goes wayyyy in, :( it also had rust in front of and beind both rear wheels. Underside of hood was badly rusted, as was engine bay, p/b unit, etc.
Rust is what's keeping me away too, from the one I mentioned before. :(

How bad do you guys want one? ;)

I just sold mine about 5 years ago. It was a 76 SuperSport silver with black stripes and vinyl top. It had the 305 (first year) 2 Bbl with a standard 3 speed transmission, factory gauges in the console, and A/C. I found the build sheet under the back seat.

Hated to sell it because it got alot of attention, but needed a "better" daily driver for the family.

-Wayne