[LS6-M22]

Local guy around here has a one owner orange Nova SS with a 350/270hp auto console.Loaded car with power everything and cruise.All original down to the paint.His father was a big GM executive and bought this car.All papaerwork too.Not my thing but he was selling it for 9K.Are these cars worth that kind of money and are they desirable?

 

[Bill Pritchard]

270 hp???? That sounds too high to me. I believe when the 300 hp 350 got detuned (via 9:1 compression) in 1971 it went from 300 hp to 270 hp. It was surely a lot lower than that by 1976. If the car is really nice I wouldn't doubt that someone would pony up $9K for it. I actually kinda like the body style of those Novas.

Isn't Dave Birdwell looking for one of those????

 

[LS6-M22]

I emailed Dave but never heard back from him.Yes I too thought that 270hp was a lot for a 76 but that was what the air cleaner read.

 

[Philip]

Depends on the condition, mine is insured for $20k. I can also give you lots of info on the 75 - 79 Novas. I have disaasembled about a dozen to build the one I have.
Some photos and more info will be needed to determine a ball park price.

 

[Philip]

In 76 the 350 Nova was 260 hp and in 77 it went to 270 both at 2400 rpm's. RPO code was LM1. Given the rpm it was rated at the max power may have been higher.

 

[1972convss454]

Isn't Dave Birdwell looking for one of those????

Owner of Daves' Restoration, The cure for the common hoopty.
99 GMC Sierra C2500 Trailer puller
00 24' Haulmark enclosed trailer
01 GMC Sierra SLE
06 Cobalt LTZ
Wow, I'm down to 3 vehicles....
Wanted-1976 Nova SS.

Looks like we have a match!

 

[Philip]

Dean if it is a 9C1 car it is worth every bit of the asking price. GM employees knew what was available on these models better than the dealers did. What is the max reading on the MPH. 85 was standard, the 9C1 was 120 mph. Suspension, brakes and steering were all upgraded.

 

[Dave Birdwell]

Hey! I just found Dean's email in my spam folder....

Thanks for turning me on to this, but right now, that's out of my price range. I'm building a pro-touring '70 that's taken all my extra funds.... plus I got an ER bill to pay now too..

The 76 was the last year for the Nova SS. My first car was a 4 door '75, I've always had a soft spot for those. Hopefully next year after I get this '70 done, I can find a nice Nova.

I appreciate the heads up, tho!

 

[LS6-M22]

I have the guys number and he seems very motivated to sell.He said the last number on the speedo is 100mph.He also noted that the car came with the very rare deluxe interior.I don't know squat about these cars but I must say he has got every single document that belongs with this car including official GM documents from his father who used to work at the willow run plant.You can eat off the engine too!

 

[LS6-M22]

Hey! I just found Dean's email in my spam folder....

Thanks for turning me on to this, but right now, that's out of my price range. I'm building a pro-touring '70 that's taken all my extra funds.... plus I got an ER bill to pay now too..

The 76 was the last year for the Nova SS. My first car was a 4 door '75, I've always had a soft spot for those. Hopefully next year after I get this '70 done, I can find a nice Nova.

I appreciate the heads up, tho!

No problem Dave.Glad you got the message.

 

[Philip]

Sorry Dean I was wrong, the standard speedometer did go to 100 in 75 and 76. 80 started in 77 with the new dash design. I wish I could afford it, would love to have one that is complete and unmolested.






I found with an 80 mph speedometer it became useless about halfway through 3rd gear and I still had two gears left.

A change was made

Before

After

Installed

 

[Bill Pritchard]

In 76 the 350 Nova was 260 hp and in 77 it went to 270 both at 2400 rpm's. RPO code was LM1. Given the rpm it was rated at the max power may have been higher.

Hey Philip,

Long time no see :waving:

Where are you getting this HP info from??? My 'Chevrolet by the Numbers' book only goes up to 75, but the highest HP rating for a 350 in a 75 Nova is 155. The 73 Z28 that I bought new (with an L82 350) was only rated at 245 HP, and HP ratings went downhill from there. I am having a REAL hard time believing that any 350 in a 76 Nova was anywhere even close to 200 HP, let alone 260 or 270 HP

 

[Philip]

Hi Bill, we need to meet up for lunch sometime. I will be unemployed by the end of May and have lots of free time

here is the source of my information.

http://www.novaresource.org/engine.htm

 

[LM3K]

Hey Philip,

Long time no see :waving:

Where are you getting this HP info from??? My 'Chevrolet by the Numbers' book only goes up to 75, but the highest HP rating for a 350 in a 75 Nova is 155. The 73 Z28 that I bought new (with an L82 350) was only rated at 245 HP, and HP ratings went downhill from there. I am having a REAL hard time believing that any 350 in a 76 Nova was anywhere even close to 200 HP, let alone 260 or 270 HP

I was questioning this as well. The 1976 Corvette with the highest horsepower engine available (L-82 350) was only 210 hp.

 

[Philip]

Geez I am getting old, I had the torque and horsepower numbers reversed, hp is only 165. Sorry guys,

 

[LS6-M22]

Heres a fuzzy picture of the car

And engine

 

[nova7579]

I was excited about this thread until the pictures were posted. The white interior is a big turn off. He will probably get his $9K but it will take a while. These cars have just not "caught on" if you will. I have been into this body style (75-79)for over 20 years and they just are not accepted by the masses. You can insure them for what ever you want as long as you pay the premium, but you would have a hard time ever getting anywhere near 20K for any 75-79 nova. I still love mine so that's all that counts.
Brian

 

[droptop396]

These cars have just not "caught on" they just are not accepted by the masses.

They are definitely a car only a select few appreciate.
I had a 75 Nova as my winter beater back in the day so my Chevelle could stay in the garage for the winter.
I am not a fan of any nova after 1972. :noway:
Not a money maker, nor a car that would be easy to resell unless you found one of the rare people that appreciate that body style Nova. :noway:

 

[Bill Pritchard]

The white interior is a big turn off

That would be a huge plus for me if I were in the market, because I happen to like white interiors :yes: Different strokes for different folks, I guess. The white vinyl roof, on the other hand....no thanks :sad:

 

[Philip]

Having thought about it I would like to buy the car. The price if a little lower would fit my budget......BUT... it is too far away to make it affordable for me Is it in NY or FL?
It would be cool to have a stock model and my hot rod version, mine was built a Willow Run too and sold new in Florida :yes: