The Chevy II bowed for the 1962 model year as a direct competitor for the Ford Falcon. Among the names suggested for the new car was the Chevy Nova moniker, which lost out as it did not start with the letter “C.” Nova became the name for the Chevy II’s top trim level.
The Chevy II sobriquet lasted until the 1969 model year when the car became known as the Chevy Nova, following a clean-sheet redesign for 1968. The new design featured a longer 111-inch wheelbase, just an inch shorter than the midsize Chevelle two-door hardtop. Power brakes and steering were available options, as well as air conditioning, rear shoulder belts, and headrests.
The Chevy Nova could be optioned with number of available Small Blocks, including the 300-horsepower 350 cubic-inch V8 that came standard in the Nova SS, but nothing else came close to the car Hot Rod magazine called “The Ultimate Street Sleeper,” the 375-horsepower 396 cubic-inch L78 Big Block.
Our feature 1970 Chevy Nova SS is finished in its factory Fathom Blue hue over black vinyl. It was restored in 2022, including a bare-metal respray. It features a blacked-out SS grille, bumpers that appear to have been re-plated, “396” fender badges, and a chrome driver-side mirror. Super Sport wheels wear raised white-letter BFGoodrich Radial T/As. Power brakes with front discs attend to stopping duties.
Inside, the Chevy Nova SS sports a black vinyl bucket seat interior with a center console. It is equipped with a heater, polished door sills, manual windows, and a Delco push-button AM/FM radio. The dash is home to a 120 mph speedo, tach, and gas gauge. All the gauges are crisp and legible.
Beneath the hood, the Chevy Nova SS is equipped with its matching-number 396 cubic-inch Big Block fed by a four-barrel carb, and producing 375 horsepower. Backing the rat motor is a Turbo Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission, and a twelve bolt Positraction rear end with 3.55 gears.
This Chevy Nova SS is offered with an NCRS Shipping Data report, original broadcast sheet, the Protect-O-Plate, manufacturer’s literature, and a clean Florida title. It is featured on Bring a Trailer with the auction ending mid-day on Tuesday, April 26th.
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Comments
Beautiful car. I had a 1970 nova with the tried and true Chevy 350 in it. Not quite an SS but it was fast and good looking in Autumn Gold color. Wish I still owned it.
My dad has a 70 nova ss 396 that went through a 4 year restore and we have had it at a lot of car shows and have over 35 trophies in the last 4 years and it’s got 2014 laguna blue paint and it’s a great car to have in the family.
My first car was a 70 SS Nova, I bought it for $300 wrecked when I was 14. With the help of friends and family by my senior year I had a awesome car.. Lot’s of good memories..
Bring a Trillion
Hate to be a stickler for grammar but DAMN the CAPITALIZATION.
I can find no other examples of ‘Small Blocks’ in this world and that is just one example of many. Is it a ‘chithole’ country or something?
Grumble and pfffft. Poor grammar is a bad habit, one easily corrected by a spellchecker. It is also hard to read.
Very nice car this body style is the one I like the most. I had a 1971 will always be the my dream car.
Its almost like GM wants to remind us….
They didn’t always make Cars to Kill us; but that was clearly before 1974.
I knew a guy who had a 1970 burgundy 427 Nova… Absolutely beautiful.
My second car was a new 70 Nova, fathom blue, 307, 4 speed. I added headers and a 4 barrel carb and a few other mods. I wish I still had it. My favorite car.
Had one just like that except: factory four speed Muncie, rubber mats (no carpet) and no A/C. Only option was the front disc brakes. Sold it during the oil embargo in the late 70’s because it got about 8 mpg!
Wow 💘 it
Back in October of 1970 I bought a used Chevy Nova SS 350 4-spd with only 8,000 miles on it from the Chevy dealer’s used car lot for $2250. It was metallic Gold w/ black interior, no a/c, no carpet, no power steering, only had power front disc brakes .
Won a lot of street races with that car! GOD, I loved that car! Wish I still had it! In 1980, I turned it back in to the same dealer with 109,000 miles on it because of the oil embargo. After an engine rebuild, it would only run on Sunoco 260.
I got you all beat including myself. I had a 69 nova 396 ss yenko 12.5.1 comp 4speed and sold it for a baja bug and $1800 because I was a pot head. Bigger mistake than losing 3.5 million. Moral of the story. Pot sucks.
I had one through the early 70’s. It was a 70 Nova SS L78 396, factory 4sp. Bought a Tripower 427/435 4sp 68 Corvette Roadster. Didn’t need them both, or so I thought and I sold the Nova and eventually the Corvette. The both of them together at that time were worth less than $6k. I paid $1900 for the Nova. $2800 for the Corvette. Sure do wish I would have kept them…..lol
i still have my 1970 Chevy Nova,bought it Dec.10th 1972, Fathom Blue 396 ,4-speed. 42,000 miles. bought it for 2500.00.. I take it to car shows quite often,but i have a 1973 Kawasaki Z-1 900. Also,its a tossup which one to have fun with! The Noa doesn’t have Air-Conditioning!!! Thanks.for listening,