1973 Chevrolet Nova SS Sedan
In 1973, government mandates forced Chevrolet and others to add 5 mph front bumpers to their cars and that was the catalyst for a facelift for the year, making it easy to differentiate between early Gen 4 Novas from the 73 and 74. The SS option, which mostly altered the car cosmetically, could be ordered with any engine available, and since it cost just $123, it was a commonly ordered package resulting in 35,542 being sold in '73.
For consignment, a 1973 Chevrolet Nova SS that has some go fast mods tucked inside a stock looking exterior of a once ubiquitous model. More than 2 million gen 3 Novas were built and with the exception of a few models, most were marketed as small commuter cars for the masses.
Exterior
Silver Pewter Metallic covers our car which is augmented by a black vinyl top and new for 1973 grille with an egg crate design and turn signals moved from the bumper to the grille. A black front fascia is matched by the back where the panel is painted black around four taillights over a massive rear bumper with great chrome and a black trim piece. SS emblems reside on each of the four sides of the car so that onlookers from any angle will know you have the option and 350 is on the fenders to denote the under hood occupant. Does it still live there? Read on to find out! Meanwhile, the 14-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels are painted to match and have polished rims, sporting 70 series tires all around because that's how we rolled back in the day. Imperfections include paint chips, drips, a few dings, bubbling down low, cracking in the paint, various scratches, and some fading on the vinyl top. The bumper fillers are cracked or discolored and some of the panel gaps are less than perfect.
Interior
Black vinyl door panels are quintessentially GM for the period and include a pull handle with woodgrain decorative trim. Black vinyl also covers the split bench seat which shows a bit of wear, a small tear, and an issue with the springs underneath that sends an S-shaped bulge across the bottom piece. The rear bench, conversely, is in excellent condition and the passengers are afforded a window crank and ashtray. A simple SS emblazoned steering wheel has a horn that spans the center spoke and it shares the column with the shifter. The basic dash has a horizontal speedometer, fuel gauge, and tachometer and all other info is relayed through idiot lights. A more modern AM/FM/CD radio is in the dash and vent controls are arranged vertically above the radio. The black carpet shows some age, the headliner is in good condition, and the trunk is uncovered and relatively clean.
Drivetrain
Clean and driver quality would be how we classify the engine bay which has lots of room to maneuver and clear access to every part of the engine. In this case, a consignor stated 383ci stroker which has dual Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors over an Edelbrock intake manifold. It also has aluminum heads, headers, MSD ignition, and our consignor also states roller lifters and rockers. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sends power to a 10 bolt axle with 2.73 gears and Positraction. Power brakes are underfoot and consist of disc up front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
There's plenty of surface rust but nothing of major concern and certainly no invasive rust. The floor pans and rear differential are dry. The 3" exhaust takes center stage as it enters an X-pipe then a pair of electric cutouts while the main pipe heads to the back, through a pair of bullet mufflers, then exits behind the rear wheels. Coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back make up the suspension in the typical configuration of the day.
Drive-Ability
Even through the full exhaust, the car sounds great and healthy. The cutouts will probably get you thrown out of your HOA, but it would be worth it. That said, the car runs well, has plenty of power on hand, brakes, handles, and shifts just fine. None of the functional items malfunctioned and this car is ready for its next home! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
What was considered a small car back in the day has decent heft today and is often the platform for modification as it's easy, relatively inexpensive, and can be done without compromising external design. And that's exactly what we have here, a healthy breathing street machine, once a commuter car and now a muscle car. If precious metals are in your portfolio, check out this Pewter beauty.
1Y27H3W294744
1-Chevrolet
Y-Nova Custom
27-2 Door Sedan
H-350ci 2bbl V8
3-1973
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
294744-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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