1963 Chevrolet Nova SS 49534 Miles Black Hardtop 230 inline-6 Automatic

1963 Chevrolet Nova SS Description

Before you go too far into the description on this beautiful little 1963 Chevy Nova SS, take a moment to review the photos—particularly the undercarriage—because this sucker is SPOTLESS! A real-deal X-code SS and a lifetime California car, this sporty hardtop was treated to a comprehensive restoration that was all out of proportion to its price tag. It’s one of the straightest black cars we’ve ever seen, and aside from a few sensible upgrades like a slightly larger engine, power front disc brakes, and those flashy Cragar mags, it’s very much as it would have been in 1963. I’m sure some of you will bemoan the absence of the ubiquitous small block V8, but if you check your history books, you’ll find that a V8 was not available in the Nova in 1963, so this car is not only correct, but stands out because of it. Come give it a drive—we promise you’ll have fun without the need for more power. And holy cow, is this car CLEAN!
If you check the trim tag, you’ll see this car was originally code 934 Cordovan Brown, which isn’t exactly an exciting choice for something with SS badges on its flanks. Given that information, it’s not hard to see why a color change to Tuxedo Black happened when the car was restored a few years ago. Fortunately, the laser-straight California sheetmetal was up to the task and no major surgery was required to get it to look this good. A few dings here and there, but no wholesale panel replacement, no abuse of filler, just sheetmetal as straight as the day it came out of the press. The lack of accidents or rust repair makes alignment easy, too, so you’ll note that the gaps are quite good, the hood and trunk sit flush, and the trim lines up rather well. Were they even this nice in 1963? The SS badges are original and the car earns them the right way—there’s an X code on the trim tag, which denoted SS models built in Oakland. It also has a beautiful argent silver tail panel, correct two-element taillights, and original glass with that vintage Sof-Ray tint that always looks right. The front bumper is the only reproduction piece, and they had to tweak it a bit to get it to fit, but that’s a very small demerit on a very nice car.
The trim tag also says this car came with a code 708 Saddle bucket seat interior, and again, it was changed to basic black during the restoration. The good news is that just about everything you can see or touch is new because of the color change. Reproduction seat covers, new carpets, correct door panels, and even a new steering wheel tie it all together quite nicely. The gauges are surprisingly comprehensive and they all work except the clock, which isn’t a surprise. There’s also a factory AM radio in the dash and a neat row of chrome knobs underneath for the lighter and heater/defroster system. A mini console wears a finned cover like big brother Impala, as well as a cue ball knob on the shifter for the 2-speed PowerGlide transmission. And again, correct SS badges were installed and with a bright white headliner overhead, it never feels dark or claustrophobic in this trim little coupe. The back seat is surprisingly spacious for full-sized adults and there’s a massive trunk that includes a reproduction mat. Yeah, look at that gorgeous original sheetmetal!
The top motor in the Nova SS in 1963 was a 191 cubic inch inline-6, which is what the decal says this one is. However, that’s actually a 230 cubic inch block from a later car, so it looks right but packs an extra 40 cubic inches that really makes a difference in low-end punch. It has also been fortified with a modest performance camshaft that wakes up at about 2500 RPM so this car scoots along remarkably well. Forget what you think you know about sixes, this one is a lot of fun to drive! You’ll also see that it’s beautifully detailed like the factory intended, from the Chevy Orange paint to the reproduction decals to the snorkel air cleaner on top of a 2-barrel carburetor. It’s completely rebuilt and runs so smoothly you can barely feel it ticking over under the hood. Again, please take a moment to look at the ultra-clean firewall and inner fenders, as well as correct details like the hardware, hoses, and manifolds. A new alternator supplies the juice and you’ll quickly spot a newer dual reservoir master cylinder and booster, which is mandatory for the fresh front disc brakes.
Underneath, this is quite likely the cleanest 60-year-old car we’ve ever seen. Those are original floors, not replacements, which speaks to the truth that California cars really are better. The 2-speed PowerGlide was rebuilt and shifts properly, and it spins the original rear end with highway-friendly 3.08 gears inside, making this a fantastic all-around cruiser. All the front end components are new, so it tracks straight and steers easily even without power assist (don’t worry, you can handle it). A correct single exhaust system was painted flat black to help it blend in and it has a pleasing six-cylinder grumble that works best on the roll. The vented and cross-drilled front disc brakes are from a late-model Trans Am, so they’re quite a bit more effective than the original manual drums. And as you can see, almost all the hardware, lines, hoses, gas tank, and other details underneath are brand new. Chrome Cragar SS wheels are a traditional look, and they carry staggered 185/60/14 front and 215/60/14 rear blackwall radials for a bit of an aggressive stance.
This car is probably even nicer than it looks in photos. The first time we went under it, we were blown away and after a quick drive we were convinced that the tens of thousands of dollars spent on the restoration were no wasted. This car is right in every way that matters and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the response you get when folks see the inline-six under the hood. What a cool car! Call today!
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