SUMMARY
Authentic L79 Chevy II Nova Super SportListed in the L79 RegistryOriginal 327 cubic inch L79 V8 / 350 horsepowerOriginal Muncie 4-speed manual transmissionCorrect Marina Blue paintCorrect Black bucket seat interiorSale includes: An original build sheet / An original Dealer Invoice / An original Protect-O-PlateSale includes the car's Certificate of Registration for the L79 RegistryCorrect 12-bolt rear axle14-inch Rally WheelsIn 1966 the compact Nova received a hard-edged facelift that mirrored Chevy's successful Chevelle and Impala. That being said, harp 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, 79 netted the car's lucky new owner a 327 cubic inch, 50 horsepower small block that was cribbed directly from the Corvette. That mill was certainly a hit, s a little over 5,400 of the red-hot bowties were ordered. But, nfortunately, ost were purchased strictly for the quarter mile, hich means, hanks to the law of attrition, inding an authentic L79 Nova is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, s you know, our 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, egistry-listed L79 Nova. Wrapping a numbers-matching drivetrain in correct Marina Blue on Black aesthetics, his highly original wonder transforms the phrase "investment grade compact" from oxymoron into fact!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a partial restoration that was conducted in the mid '90s, his Nova is a sharp weekend cruiser that currently presents much better than original factory fodder. During the car's precise reboot, olid sheetmetal was completely striped of its dull, riginal pigment. With that shell removed, nd its foundation massaged into great alignment, orrect Marina Blue base was sealed in mirror-like clear. And today, ne close look at our high-resolution pictures 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, hey've continued to gain significant popularity. At the front of this hardtop, correct, lack-trimmed grille hangs a classy "CHEVY II SS" badge between a mirrored bumper, lear parking lamps and bright, tainless-trimmed headlights. Above that grille, finned hood anchors a simple Chevrolet crest in front of clean glass, olished wipers and straight stainless frames. At the sides of that hood, clean, odernist profile centers small fender emblems and traditional door handles between straight wheel trim, familiar bowtie mirror and correct Super Sport rocker guards. And at the back of the car, orrect Super Sport trunk trim hangs red-detailed badging between vertical tail lamps and a second mirrored bumper.
ENGINE
Even if you forget everything else we tell you about this Chevy II, e 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, ccording to the factory, wists stout 11 to 1 compression into 350 Corvette-matching horsepower. Savvy collectors will quickly locate the original 327's correct 3791362 casting number, orrect "ZI" suffix stamp and matching partial VIN. Casual observers will be quick to notice the mill's L79-exclusive polished, win-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, hich crawl around polished valve covers on their way to a correct points distributor. Spent gases fall in to old school cast iron exhaust manifolds. There's a tagged radiator that joins a rebuilt alternator, rebuilt master cylinder and a reproduction Delco battery to round out the car's first-rate ancillaries. And, hen it comes to keeping up appearances, he entire engine compartment, rom its Chevy Orange block to its Satin Black fenders, s clean, ttractive and ready to roll!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
One look under this sturdy compact reveals a solid chassis that's just as ready for the road as that stout 327. Power flows through an original Muncie 4-speed, hich hangs a Muncie (P) assembled on March (03) 18th (18) 1966 build stamp behind a correct 3885010 casting number. That transmission twists a correct 12-bolt axle. 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, luminized pipes, hich precede DynoMax Super Turbo mufflers with an H-shaped crossover. The body's unrestored floors wear a thick layer of original undercoating. And all that old school Americana rolls on traditional Chevrolet Rallies, hich spin F70-14 Firestone redlines around polished trim rings and low profile center caps.
INTERIOR
Regardless of what motor made its way in to the subframe, he Nova always stayed true to its simplistic roots. No place was that more evident than in the car's cockpit. Front and center, icely restored thrones provide seating. A showroom-quality dash balances rebuilt gauges between a correct Delco pushbutton radio and an original, aine-mandated 4-way flasher switch. Beneath that dash, Corvette-style shifter rides a chrome-trimmed console, hich floats on like-new carpet that's protected by color-keyed floor mats. At the sides of that carpet, lassy door panels are, ike the car's headliner and package tray, irtually devoid of weathering. In front of the driver, wide steering wheel laps a polished, CHEVY II" branded horn bar. And behind the passengers, matted trunk hides a full-size spare tire beneath a decaled decklid.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A quick look at this Nova's VIN, owl tag and Protect-O-Plate authenticates it status as a correct, eal-deal L79 Super Sport.
VIN: 118376WXXXXXX
1: Chevrolet Motor Division18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V837: 2-door coupe6: 1966 model yearW: Manufactured in Willow Run, ichiganXXXXXX: Production Sequence NumberCOWL TAG:
03D: Assembled during the fourth week (D) of March (03), 966E: Black sheetmetal66: 1966 model year11837: Chevrolet (1) Chevy II Nova SS (18) 2-door coupe (37)WRN: Manufactured in Willow Run, ichigan5722: Fisher Body number765: Black interior that's fitted with bucket seatsF-F: Marina Blue paintW: Tinted windshield2L: 4-speed transmission5Y: Deluxe seatbeltsPROTECT-O-PLATE:
E: Black interiorFF: Marina Blue exterior118376WXXXXXX: The car's VIN- 1: Chevrolet Motor Division- 18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8- 37: 2-door coupe- 6: 1966 model year- W: Manufactured in Willow Run, ichigan- XXXXXX: Production Sequence NumberH: Equipped with a Holley carburetorF0321ZI: The car's engine stamp- ZI: Chevy II-exclusive special high performance 327- F: Assembled in Flint, ichigan- 0321: On March 21st, 966BO0214G: The car's rear axle stamp- BO: Posi-traction axle that's fitted with 3.55 gears- G: Assembled at Detroit Gear & Axle- 0214: On February 14th, 966M: Assembled in March of 1966P0318: The car's transmission stamp- P: Muncie 4-speed- 0318: Assembled on March 18th, 966OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
An original marketing brochureAn original build sheetAn original Owner's GuideThe car's original Dealer InvoiceThe car's original warranty booklet and Protect-O-PlateAn original accessory guideThe car's Certificate of Registration for the L79 RegistryA Sunpro Super Tach IIAuto Gage accessory gaugesSo there you have it: a rare, ully 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, riginal documentation and a well-preserved car that features many original parts. No serious collector would pass on an opportunity like this!