AutoHunter Spotlight: 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova.  

Even though the Nova launched as a no-frills basic commuter, over the years it gained a muscle car identity, and today it holds a special place in the collector community for that reason.

The compact Chevy II first went into production in 1962 on the General Motors semi-unibody X-platform and was sold in body styles that included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. At its core, it was an economy car with a fuel-sipping inline-four or inline-six, but in 1964, the Chevy II gained some performance credentials with its first available V8 engine.

A second generation, as shown here, debuted in 1966 with a semi-fastback roofline and vertical taillights. This eye-catching red Nova comes from the first year of the generation and has been treated to complete restoration, complete with a 283cid V8, a four-speed manual transmission, bucket seats, and SS badging. It is being sold by a private seller in Collierville, Tennessee with a clear title.

Restoration of this Chevy II was completed in 2021. The clean hardtop look is accentuated by SS badging, wheel arch moldings, chrome brightwork, and raised-white-letter Telestar tires on five-spoke 14-inch wheels.

The cockpit received similar love, courtesy of reupholstered black vinyl material for the front buckets, rear bench, and door panels. Cabin features include a center console, an AM/FM stereo with an 8-track tape player, and a padded dashboard. The instruments remain original, with the exception of an auxiliary coolant temperature gauge that has been installed inside the glove compartment.

Torque for this Chevy II comes from a rebuilt 283cid V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The powertrain has been upgraded with an aluminum intake manifold, chrome valve covers, a four-barrel carburetor, and an aluminum radiator.

The beauty of the Nova was its overall simplicity: It was a car built around an economy-minded purpose, but a few tasteful performance upgrades could easily transform it into a capable performance car. This clean second-gen has just the right kind of tricks up its sleeve to make it a solid contender at a show or on the street.

The auction for this 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova ends on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery