Documented MacNeish Certified Body Off Restored Nova SS 327/350 HP L79 4 Speed

SUMMARY

In 1966 the compact Nova received a hard-edged facelift that mirrored Chevy's successful Chevelle and Impala. That being said, sharp sheetmetal paled in comparison to the car's most significant upgrade: the legendary L79 option. As intentionally nondescript as the Super Sport trim it accompanied, L79 netted the car's lucky new owner a 327 cubic inch, 350 horsepower small block that was cribbed directly from the Corvette. That mill was certainly a hit, as a little over 5,400 of the red-hot bowties were ordered. But, unfortunately, most were purchased strictly for the quarter mile, which means, thanks to the law of attrition, finding an authentic L79 Nova is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, as you know, your friends at RK Motors Charlotte take pride in specializing in rare and hard to find classics. And that's why we're proud to feature this fully documented, MacNeish-certified L79 Nova. Wrapping a numbers-matching drivetrain in correct turquoise on turquoise aesthetics, this retro wonder transforms the phrase "investment grade compact" from oxymoron into fact!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a detailed rotisserie restoration that was completed in late 2015, this Nova is a sharp weekend cruiser that currently presents much better than original factory fodder. During the car's precise reboot, solid sheetmetal was completely striped of its dull, original pigment. With that shell removed, and its foundation massaged into great alignment, correct Tropic Turquoise base was sealed in mirror-like clear. And today, one close look at our high-resolution photos reveals a handsome payoff in the form of one slick Chevrolet muscle car!

The subdued and classy lines of the prototypical Nova are early '60s conservative. And because they're so universal in appeal, they've continued to gain significant popularity. At the front of this hardtop, a straight grille hangs a classy "CHEVY II SS" badge between a guarded bumper, clear parking lamps and stainless-trimmed T3 headlights. Above that grille, a finned hood anchors a simple Chevrolet crest in front of clean glass, polished wipers and polished stainless frames. At the sides of that hood, a modernist profile centers small fender emblems, ornate quarter scripts and traditional door handles between straight wheel trim, a polished driver's mirror and correct Super Sport rocker guards. And at the back of the car, correct Super Sport trunk trim hangs red-detailed badging between a correct antenna, vertical tail lamps and a second guarded bumper.

ENGINE

Even if you forget everything else we tell you about this Chevy II, be sure to pay VERY close attention to what's under the car's hood. Motivating this real-deal Super Sport is a 1966-exclusive L79 V8 that, according to the factory, twists stout 11 to 1 compression into 350 Corvette-matching horsepower. Savvy collectors will quickly locate the original 327's correct 3791362 casting number, correct "ZI" suffix stamp and matching 165788 partial VIN. Casual observers will be quick to notice the mill's L79-exclusive polished, twin-snorkel air cleaner. And everyone will start to vibe when air and fuel flow from a big Holley carburetor in to a hot Winters intake that's framed by high-flow cylinder heads! That air/fuel mixture meets spark thanks to Packard TV R Suppression cables, which crawl around polished valve covers on their way to a correct points distributor. Spent gases fall through old school cast iron exhaust manifolds. There's a big Harrison radiator that joins an AC fuel pump, a correct alternator and a reproduction Delco battery to round out the car's first-rate ancillaries. And, when it comes to keeping up appearances, the entire engine compartment, from its polished fuel line and polished oil filler to its Chevy Orange block and Satin Black fenders, is clean, attractive and ready to roll!

One look under this sturdy compact reveals a solid chassis that's just as road-ready as the car's stout 327. Power flows through an original Muncie M20 4-speed, which hangs a Muncie (P) assembled on May (05) 9th (09) 1966 build stamp behind a correct 3885010 casting number. That transmission twists an original "BS" branded 12-bolt that's finished with correct 3.31 gears and a correct posi-traction differential. Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a restored double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension. Stops come courtesy of manual drum brakes. Exhaust flows from the aforementioned manifolds to modern, aluminized pipes, which precede correct resonators and factory replacement mufflers. The body's fully restored floors wear a smooth layer of Satin Black paint. And all that old school Americana rolls on painted steelies, which spin 6.95-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown 660 whitewalls around polished Super Sport hub caps.

INTERIOR

Regardless of what motor made its way in to the subframe, the Nova always stayed true to its simplistic roots. No place was that more evident than in the car's cockpit. Front and center, nicely restored thrones provide seating. A showroom-quality dash balances rebuilt gauges next to a knee-knocker tach and correct Delco pushbutton radio. Beneath that dash, a Corvette-style shifter rides a chrome-trimmed console, which floats on like-new carpet that's protected by color-keyed floor mats. At the sides of that carpet, classy door panels are, like the car's headliner and package tray, virtually devoid of weathering. In front of the driver, satin, speed-drilled spokes spin faux wood rims around an ornate Chevrolet horn button. And behind the passengers, a matted trunk hides a correct jack and full-size spare tire beneath a decaled decklid.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

A quick look at this Nova's VIN, Cowl Tag and Protect-O-Plate authenticates it status as a correct, real-deal L79 Super Sport.

VIN: 118376N165788

COWL TAG:

PROTECT-O-PLATE:

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

So there you have it: a rare, fully documented piece of Chevrolet history that features an original, '66-exclusive powertrain. Seldom do you find a unique classic that mixes this level of preservation with outstanding provenance and innate collectability. Think about it: an original drivetrain, original documentation and a well-preserved car that's been restored to excellent condition. No serious collector would pass on an opportunity like this!