[Gilpen]

Is it a red flag that the cowl tag on this 1965 Chevy II seems to be silver instead of black?

1965 Chevy nova - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Up for sale is this 1965 Chevy nova clean It has 283 V8 motor and auto transmission With 65k miles...

sfbay.craigslist.org

 

[Gilpen]

Also does that look like a 283 motor? Thanks, Gil

 

[AllyMcReal]

No. Can't see it clearly enough other than to say it looks like someone removed any paint from it. That does happen. Looks like an interesting car with factory V-8, but there might be a couple of body issues at the driver's door, and the asking seems a bit high.

 

[AllyMcReal]

Actually, does look like a 283, but so much is interchangeable on small block Chevys it could easily be something else. Have to look at the numbers.

 

[Gilpen]

Thanks. I'm going to take a look tomorrow. Yeah, asking price is definitely too high.

 

[AllyMcReal]

So, when you check today, check for rust.

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

Just for info, when this car was on eBay, it got one $10,000 bid. Listing ended March 23.

Bob

 

[Gilpen]

Just for info, when this car was on eBay, it got one $10,000 bid. Listing ended March 23.

Bob

I saw it on EBay and the seller never responded to questions. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he seems legit. Is there any way for me to confirm whether the engine is numbers matching? Where are the typical rust spots on these? Trunk and floors? Thanks, Gil

 

[Gilpen]

Also, is there an easy check for whether it’s a 283? On eBay he had it listed as a 350 but here he says 283?

 

[AllyMcReal]

Yes. Check the engine casting number, a 7 digit number cast into the block. It's hard to read when the engine is installed, as it faces up on the block, but is at the rear behind the distributor. On the side of what would be a Nova block, the last 3 numbers will be cast into the block, likely either '721' or '194'. Also, check all the numbers and letters stamped into the pad at the very passenger side front of the block where the head mates to the block deck surface. That should tell you what it is.

 

[Gilpen]

I couldn't get a look at the block numbers. Here are the cowl tag and vin tag. It seemed like a pretty solid car. Don't think it is the original engine and there were a few small rust bubbles forming on the hood and rear quarters. Couldn't find any evidence of lots of bondo. Ran well but may need with water pump replaced as it was a bit noisy. Seller wasn't interested in negotiating much on the price.

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

The VIN and cowl tag appear legitimate. The car did nothing on eBay and hasn't been re-listed. If he's not willing to come down quite a bit in price in the current environment he's going to have this car for awhile.

Bob

 

[Gilpen]

The VIN and cowl tag appear legitimate. The car did nothing on eBay and hasn't been re-listed. If he's not willing to come down quite a bit in price in the current environment he's going to have this car for awhile.

Bob

I made him an offer and told him to call me if he was interested.

 

[AllyMcReal]

Concur. Car is too much money, but still definitely has value. Buyer's market considering the current state of affairs, so I'd hold out.

 

[Gilpen]

There is a number near the front of the engine block F09I7PN. The "I" is the letter I. Is there any way to use this number to see if it is a 283 engine block? Thanks!

 

[Gilpen]

 

[Sinistar2084]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gilpen]

Thanks Sinistar2084!
So it looks like it is the correct motor: F09I7PN
F - Flint Michigan
09 - September
17 - 17th day of Sept
PN - 283cid 2V w/Powerglide

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

There's a wire running right through the cowl tag picture obscuring the Fisher body build date. The suffix code say the engine was assembled on September 17th. That would be 1964. If this fits the time frame of the body build, the car is an early '65, built in fall of 1964.

Bob

 

[Gilpen]

The full cowl tag numbers/letters are:
09D
65-11637 NOR
1764 C-C
734
W
2MPS
5WL