Need advice/help on another Nova

[Gear_Jammer]

As I stated in my post about the Yenko clone, I've been looking for an old car for quite some time. Initially, I was only looking for a fairly turnkey hardtop 1968 GTO. Not perfect or a trailer queen, but rather a good solid driver. My requirements are that it has a His/Hers and either/both a hood tach and/or hideaways and the only colors I'm interested in are white, black, red or one of the blue colors. I found quite a few GTO's, but the vast majority of them weren’t really turnkey, had something wrong with them, weren't in a condition I felt comfortable with buying and/or were out of my price range. I want to spend somewhere in the $20K to $30K range, but may be willing to spend a little more if the right car comes about. I'm still looking for a GTO, but I've branched out my search to a 1968-1970 Nova. I've always loved them and have become more interested in them the more I search.

The reason I want a turnkey car is that I just don't have the time to devote to doing much restoring as I stay very busy with work, am married, have 3 young kids. As a result, my weekends tend to fill up, especially this time of year. It's not that I don't want to work on a car at all, as I know that isn't realistic and takes some of the fun out of having one of these cars, but I just don't have a ton of free time to devote to them. I’ve never owned an old car so my mechanical ability is somewhat limited, but my best buddy is knowledgeable and is willing and able to help out when needed.

Now that y'all know all of that, I've found this car on eBay - 1970 Nova on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330545182536&viewitem= &sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_40119wt_958). This compared to the Yenko clone I previously posted, is MUCH more like what I'm looking to get. I would really appreciate y'all looking this car over and letting me know the good, the bad and the ugly. Feel free to pick it apart as I don't own it or haven’t even bid on it. I've called and emailed the seller to see whether he will sell it off eBay, and if so, how much he wants for it, but I have yet to receive a response. My guess is that it might not be in my price range, but I'm really not familiar with what these things are worth as I just haven't done the research yet.

These are all the reasons I need y'all's help. Any advice, help, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[Xplantdad]

http://2.photos.ebizautos.com/10029/6705369/6705369_74.jpg

Hood inserts (from a Camaro) are incorrect and I think the steering wheel is from a later model Camaro...looks like decent car.

I did the same as you and bought a done car...not enough time in the day to "do it all".

I am sure the more knowledgeable Nova folks will be along shortly! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[69Tom]

While I'm no Nova expert (actually I'm not really an expert on anything...haha) and can't comment on the eBay car, have you joined the Team Nova forum at all? I always wonder/am skeptical with completed/restored cars on eBay. Because unless you can get a documented restoration, you never know what's lurking and I've seen so many people get burned. Now, I'm not saying not to buy on there, but I'd try some other avenues first, personally. And I'd also try to buy a west/southwest car. Just my experience.

[Mr. Chevy]

I would go after a more original and unmolested car.. I just happened to be looking on e-bay this evening at Novas for sale.. I would personally go after cars like the ones for sale RE: item numbers 170616400165 &amp; 200588271923... Both of these cars look to be mostly original, REAL SS CARS, have paperwork and are not that badly priced IMO..

I don't know about that red one your looking at.. Looks to me like it has been molested some... Although it might be a nice car.. The red paint makes it pop..

Rich

[Xplantdad]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=170616400165&amp;ru=http://motors.search.ebay.com:80/170616400165_eBay-Motors_W0QQcatrefZC5QQdfspZ1QQfromZR7QQfrppZ50QQfs ooZ1QQfsopZ1QQpfidZ0QQsacatZ6000QQsofocusZbsQQfviZ 1)

and

Here!!!! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=200588271923&amp;ru=http%3 A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Fsofocus%3D bs%26satitle%3D200588271923%26sacat%3D6000%2526cat ref%253DC5%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26frpp%3D50%2 6fisc%3Dc6001%26dfsp%3D1%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy% 26pfid%3D0%26fvi%3D1)

[Mr. Chevy]

Thanks Bruce..

Rich

[MosportGreen66]

Blue/white/ac/4speed/console/deluxe interior! Nice Nova...

[Xplantdad]

Here's a Nova in a Harley Dealer... Not real clean...but says L78 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Nova-SS-L78-1970-Chevrolet-Nova-SS-L78-/190514873333?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&amp;hash=item2c5b9243f5 )

[Xplantdad]

Sure Rich!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

That is a really good looking car! However, be cautious bec/ its been spiffed pretty hard.

Things to ask / look for:

1. Get a clean pic of the trim tag, we can tell you if all that fancy gingerbread belongs on that car or not.

2. Get a pic of the drivers side rear wheel well area, need to see the dual exhaust plate.

3. Ask for the paperwork, if there's only been 3 owners in 44 years there should be something floating. See if the Broadcast sheet was found in the seats.

4. Get a better look at the core support, it as the big holes for a/c.

5. The valve covers appear to have been clear coated and then turned color due to engine heat - or something...

6. Missing the fender liner dust shields.

7. Get the codes from the engine, trans and rear.

8. For the money, the carpeting should not be faded like that.

9. Steering wheel is definitely wrong.

10. The quarters have been replaced, at least the passenger side, because the full 'phone' is not there.

11. Seat belts look incorrect, they are the fancy brushed version, but are likely from another type of car as the retractors are not for a Nova bench seat car. The Novas had retractors through 06A of '70, but went sans in 06B.

12. These easy items are out of place, the side view mirrors, painted splash pan, repro rear bumper, rear speakers, no big deal on these things though.

Hope this helps.

[olredalert]

-----For some reason I remember this &quot;Online Motorsports&quot; place in Plainfield, Il. Has it been mentioned on this board before???
-----Of the two Novas brought up the choice is a bit difficult, but the 4-speed would win out with me. That third pedal is just more fun and more musclecar oriented, especially when you are looking at small-block Novas. Although some here would disagree, I think the 4-speed car would benefit from an engine compartment fluff. The underhood area has just slipped too far for me to be happy popping the hood to show the car to friends. Maybe you and that knowledgable friend would have the time to take that much of a project on. At least all the parts are there.....Bill S

[RPOLS3]

That gold one is a pretty cool find, never been messed with, has paperwork, cool options, plus a 4 speed. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

That's my choice.

Jake

[Denis]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RPOLS3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That gold one is a pretty cool find, never been messed with, has paperwork, cool options, plus a 4 speed. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

That's my choice.

Jake </div></div>

+1

[al8apex]

I agree, the gold car is the one, although if you have to have an automatic (you DID say you wanted a his/hers shifter in your GTO quest) then the factory ac blue one is the ticket, both cars are nice. The gold one is a &quot;survivor&quot; in my eyes and the best thing is no high school kid went nuts painting the engine and adding Chinese chrome krap under the hood. *I* would be proud to show off that engine, untouched virgin ....

now the L78 is interesting, that one looks unmolested (except the cheap paint) and may be the best &quot;deal&quot; of them all, but maybe not for what you are looking for ...

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

The gold car is a good one!

The blue one at the HD dealer has a 6 cyl rad hold down, and the broadcast sheet is not very helpful in '70 when trying to document an optional engine.

[Gear_Jammer]

Y'all are incredible! I'm amazed at some of the stuff y'all were able to pick apart on that red one. I knew that the hood wasn't original (kinda like it though) and that the side mirrors weren't correct, but I wouldn't have caught a lot of the stuff y'all mentioned. With most of the comments it's hard to tell whether y'all like the car overall and are just being picky or whether you're staying &quot;stay away from this one.&quot;

With respect to some of the comments and suggestions, I do not want a 4-speed - autos only. As my name would suggest, I've been banging gears for the last 10+ years. I want something I can get in, slap it into drive, kickback and enjoy the cruise. Also, I'm not wanting a 396/375HP car mainly because of the possibility of more maintence/work on it. A nice reliable 350 sounds great to me, but I'm not totally out on the 396/350HP as it's my understanding that there's less maintence/work on that engine to keep it running correctly. While I love power as much as the next guy, believe it or not, that's not necessarily the main issue for me. I've had plenty of really fast cars and my theory right now is less maintence/work = more fun for me. I like that blue one on eBay, but that interior kills me. It almost has to have black interior - what can I say, I'm picky.

Please keep the comments &amp; advice coming. I really appreciate it all.

[al8apex]

the blue one on ebay has a rare colored interior, I bet it was a &quot;girls car&quot; when it was new.

We here in AZ appreciate light colored interiors like that and also LOVE factory ac, pretty hard to find on a Nova like that

I would pull the trigger on the blue car and keep an &quot;open mind&quot; on the interior if I were you ...

That is me talking though, you are doing the buying ... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: al8apex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the blue one on ebay has a rare colored interior, I bet it was a &quot;girls car&quot; when it was new.

We here in AZ appreciate light colored interiors like that and also LOVE factory ac, pretty hard to find on a Nova like that

I would pull the trigger on the blue car and keep an &quot;open mind&quot; on the interior if I were you ...

That is me talking though, you are doing the buying ... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif </div></div>



A/C and White interior is perfect for Texas. I think the $25,000.00 BIN is gonna hit soon.
Looks ready to go, maybe someone can check it out for you.

(I also would never blindly by a car off the internet)

[Tracker1]

Gold car. Gold car. Gold car. If you like the third pedal, that's THE ONE. Don't go over 19-20K though.

Things have changed in the last 15 years, an unrestored engine compartment is a badge of honor now, not something to be ashamed of. Enjoy it. You will get many compliments.

[al8apex]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gold car. Gold car. Gold car. If you like the third pedal, that's THE ONE. Don't go over 19-20K though.

Things have changed in the last 15 years, an unrestored engine compartment is a badge of honor now, not something to be ashamed of. Enjoy it. You will get many compliments. </div></div>

he has stated a couple of times that it needs to be an automatic ...

so the blue car is the one ...

[markinnaples]

Have you tried www.autabuy.com (http://www.autabuy.com) or www.hemmings.com (http://www.hemmings.com) ?

Probably obvious that you may have, but there are a lot of nice GTOs and Novas on there.

[Gear_Jammer]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: al8apex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gold car. Gold car. Gold car. If you like the third pedal, that's THE ONE. Don't go over 19-20K though.

Things have changed in the last 15 years, an unrestored engine compartment is a badge of honor now, not something to be ashamed of. Enjoy it. You will get many compliments. </div></div>

he has stated a couple of times that it needs to be an automatic ...

so the blue car is the one ... </div></div>


Just so I'm clear about the difference between the red one and the blue one on eBay, what is it that you don't like about the red one that you do like about the blue one? Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen anyone really say anything terrible about the red one.

[al8apex]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gear_Jammer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: al8apex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gold car. Gold car. Gold car. If you like the third pedal, that's THE ONE. Don't go over 19-20K though.

Things have changed in the last 15 years, an unrestored engine compartment is a badge of honor now, not something to be ashamed of. Enjoy it. You will get many compliments. </div></div>

he has stated a couple of times that it needs to be an automatic ...

so the blue car is the one ... </div></div>


Just so I'm clear about the difference between the red one and the blue one on eBay, what is it that you don't like about the red one that you do like about the blue one? Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen anyone really say anything terrible about the red one. </div></div>

If it were MY MONEY, SOME of the reasons I don't like the red one vs the blue one are:

it is red
it has a vinyl top
it has black interior
it has a bench seat
it doesn't have a/c
under the hood is not as &quot;stock&quot; / clean / original; / untouched
even from the pictures, it appears to have been through the &quot;fluff&quot; factory ...

I am not in the market for one, but IF I was, I would not consider the red car because of the 1st 5 things I listed above, the other things I don't like about it are not stated. For someone ELSE it may be THE car, just not for me.

Anyone else may have the opposite viewpoints, those are mine

Here is a GREAT site to search the ENTIRE US for cars, it searches all Craigslist ads, ebay, Cars, Auto Trader, nearly EVERY publication that lists cars for sale, a VERY helpful tool IMHO. I used it last year to find a 2006 Lincoln LS for my mom, I ended up flying to Pittsburg to pick up a car in sw West Virginia - a 17k car still under factory warranty...

http://www.autotempest.com/
You can search by mileage, year, etc

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gear_Jammer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


Just so I'm clear about the difference between the red one and the blue one on eBay, what is it that you don't like about the red one that you do like about the blue one? Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen anyone really say anything terrible about the red one. </div></div>

The red one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=330545182536&amp;viewitem= &amp;sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_40467wt_958) had issues outlined on the bottom of the first page of this thread. The blue one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=200588271923&amp;ru=http%3 A%2F%2Fmotors.search.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3Fsofocus%3D bs%26satitle%3D200588271923%26sacat%3D6000%2526cat ref%253DC5%26fsop%3D1%2526fsoo%253D1%26frpp%3D50%2 6fisc%3Dc6001%26dfsp%3D1%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy% 26pfid%3D0%26fvi%3D1#ht_500wt_973) does not &quot;APPEAR&quot; to have been messed with as much, if at all. I would make the effort to get a third party inspection if you can't get there yourself.
good luck <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[olredalert]

----They dont call it arrest-me-red for nuthin, ya know!!!!.......Bill S

[Tracker1]

Bit more of an accurate tribute and in the price range. Don't get an automatic...please.

http://volocars.com/1970-chevrolet-nova-yenko-tribute-c-2198.htm

[Tracker1]

and then there's this: rust-free+numbers match big-block+19K=guilt-free fun.

http://www.cars-on-line.com/49948.html