Steve's Nova Site is an automotive enthusiast website dedicated to the 1962 - 1979 Chevrolet Nova, Chevy II and Acadian automobiles. We work together to preserve, restore, drive, show, race and provide fellowship for these classic cars. This is one of the best places to find information about parts, rebuilding, restoration and racing. This website is not affiliated with GM, General Motors or Chevrolet in any capacity.
I have more details this time. My neighbor is selling a 1974 chevy nova, 2 door sedan, 350 2bbl v8, made in van nuys, CA(I got that from a vin decoder) 78,000 miles, a/c, automatic... anyhow, I'm wanting to know if this is a good price or is it too much? He's asking $2,000
good:
glass is great
chrome bumper and trim is all like new
interior is great, like new seats and headliner and dash
only one small spot of rust on whole car
bad:
it's been sitting for about 8 years, so the transmission will need to be rebuilt or replaced
the motor siezed up from sugar in the gass tank
tires are flat and rims dont match
a couple of small dents, with two big dents
so...take it for 2,000(he asked 2,500, but I talked him down) or ask for lower? thanks
I guess it's an O.K. price. Not a huge "bargain" IMO. Mileage sounds low for the age. It's may be a 178K or a 278K car FWIW (unless documented).
A/C...good. Tranny may be O.K. as well. Just sitting won't necessarily ruin it. If so another $1K.
Plan on $1500-$2000 to just get the engine up to stock (or minimum HiPo standards) with your labor.
Body and paint another $3-4 K minimum for a decent job.
How much rust? Any pics?
Add up a this speculative estimate and you've got $6-8K into it already. Now what can you get in a "turn key" decent ride for $6-$8K?
Probably a pretty nice Nova.
Last edited by Maxturbo; 26th-March-2006 at 07:58 PM..
That doesn't sound like a great bargain to me.Plan on investing minimum $10,000 to get it up to par.I would offer him 16 $100 bills.Say its alls you have...take it or leave it.Just my opinion.bm
I agree with Max I paid almost double that for parts car.If the body is solid (no rust) the bolt ons tend to be easier to find many GM's use parts that fit for the mechanical end.350's,trans are reasonably easy to find and change compared to 1/4's,fenders,doors & parts like that especially if the numbers are not a concern.It can only go up in value IMO.
well, I dont want to buy a car outright. I want to work on it with my dad so we can spend time together.( sorry if that sounds stupid)plus, that way I dont have to fork out all the money at once. I can buy parts a little at a time.
The one rust spot there was is only about the size of a quarter, and it's on the outer most lip of the fender, so I can easialy fix it.
well, I dont want to buy a car outright. I want to work on it with my dad so we can spend time together.( sorry if that sounds stupid)plus, that way I dont have to fork out all the money at once. I can buy parts a little at a time.
The one rust spot there was is only about the size of a quarter, and it's on the outer most lip of the fender, so I can easialy fix it.
Now that sounds great to me ... talk with your Dad and find out how much you both can commit to the project - not just ****'s but time as well. Cash talks volumes when you get down to final negotiations and if you can get it for less than $2K ... I say go for it and don't look back.
I will caveat and say that the '73 and '74 are difficult to find "all" the parts for. But the search is sometimes half the fun - you have the support of everyone here on this site.
Shane (my son) and I have been working on his (ours ) '74 for almost two years now. Yes we probably paid a bit much for the car initially, have spent more money than we thought - but the time we have spent together has been priceless.
It's a great experience ... here's to more "quality time together" on your Project !!
I'm going to get a $4000 or $5000 dollar loan(he will co-sign) I wanted to do this so I can build credit(I'm almost 21 and have no credit whatsoever) and this should be enough for a good start of the project
Hey Jason welcome to the site from someone just south of you.
Just a point of view, but according to Mythbusters, sugar in the gas tank won't seize the motor. If it is truly seized there is an alternate reason.
By the way, I have a 402 big block that will fit in there just fine that I'm looking to send to another home (one to many big blocks in the garage and I need the room).
its not a super good bargian, but its okay....i got my '73 with a 250I6 and virtually no rot, just some rust, straight body, 26,000 ORIGINAL MILES for $500. granted, it has a 6 and its the cheapest cheapest nodel, but its still very clean....all it needs is a fresh batch of gas, an oil change, and to soak the carb over night and it will run..... it was the project car, now its the parts car thanks to my '71
__________________
aka SmallBlockNova Average N/A 23° pump gas small block street car www.thriftwayautobody.com
Last edited by NOVACA1N; 26th-March-2006 at 09:11 PM..
) '74 for almost two years now. Yes we probably paid a bit much for the car initially, have spent more money than we thought - but the time we have spent together has been priceless.
Linear Mode
