Does anyone know the 66' Nova L79

[quick-bowtie]

Is there any info on this car out there? Im trying to find out some history and trying to make sure its a real black car with its original "born with" drivetrain. A dealer in St. George, Utah has it for sale. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Nova-327-350hp-L79/192809750808?hash=item2ce45b5118:g:beEAAOSwGWJcUgl Z:rk:46:pf:0&vxp=mtr

[BOWTIE67327]

get in touch with tom migut in Chicago, he knows these inside and out, I am sure he can tell if it's legit by looking at the pics

[Charley Lillard]

Very nice looking car.

[fsc66]

Says fully documented, all I can see that would authenticate the car is the POP which is not legible. Can you get them to send you legible copies of any paperwork?

Paul

[JayR]

This car has been for sale for a number of months and has been discussed in depth over on Stevesnovasite. Over all, the car appears to be outstanding, but isn't perfect. A big mistake is the bright chrome console top. These consoles were a dull finish described in factory literature as 'brushed chrome'. The cowl tag also is suspect. It does not show the interior sheet metal color code. It also is missing the 3/16 inch hole drilled in the tag just before the letter 'B' in Body by Fisher. This hole indicated that the upper mounting points for shoulder belts had been installed on the roof rails. All Chevy IIs built after February 1, 1966, had these mounts. The tag on this 02D car should have the hole. Amongst a number of small nit picking items are incorrect battery caps (should be black with yellow lettering) and chrome gas cap (should be body color). There are no pictures of any of the stampings in the ad. Anyone seriously considering this car should get all of these and have an expert look at them.

Bob

[kwhizz]

The SS emblem on the glove box door should be Gold...Nice car with some stupid resto errors.... But.... one of the few I have seen with a correct appearing exhaust system

[fsc66]

Bob, Excellent point on the trim tag hole. Checked VIN's also, Chevy II Norwood plant first VIN to receive hole was: 6N134811 and this VIN is 118376N143913 so 100% correct, should have had the hole.....
Good thinking "out of the box" :)
Paul

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Glad to see someone taking the time to ask questions but definitely hire an EXPERT in Novas to clarify/verify if you are getting even close to considering a purchase. Small restoration detail mistakes can be fixed and won't likely affect the value of the car but paying someone to verify that TRIM TAG and the VIN TAG and any other authenticity items., small price to pay compRed to a 6 figure mistake.

Good Looking Car!

[quick-bowtie]

Thank you to everyone for the help. The tag scared me a little just because it was so beat up I just don't see how a tag could get that beat up. I never knew about the hole being punched in the tag on later cars so that throws up another big flag.

Was the hole punched in all tags no matter which plant they were built at after the Feb. 1st date?

If anyone knows of a real L79 black 4 speed with its original drivetrain that can be bought please let me know.

[EZ Nova]

Ok, isn't that more then a bit pricey? Now Bob said it's less than perfect. I thought these were usually in the 65K range too.

John

[JayR]

Thank you to everyone for the help. The tag scared me a little just because it was so beat up I just don't see how a tag could get that beat up. I never knew about the hole being punched in the tag on later cars so that throws up another big flag.

Was the hole punched in all tags no matter which plant they were built at after the Feb. 1st date?

A Chevrolet Engineering Service letter dated February 16, 1966 stated that a new shoulder harness option, designated as RPO A85, was being offered on all Chevrolet passenger cars and trucks. It indicated that all passenger car bodies built as of February 1, 1966 would incorporate the upper roof rail provision to mount the belts. It then goes on to explain the 3/16 inch hole in the cowl tag to indicate the mounting provision is in place. The letter also states that the option could be dealer installed, but not on trucks. I would assume this service letter went to all plants.

Although this option was available for Chevy IIs in the last 5 months of '66 production and appeared on dealer order forms, it wasn't promoted and any '66 with factory/dealer front seat shoulder belts is a rare bird.

Bob

[JayR]

Ok, isn't that more then a bit pricey? Now Bob said it's less than perfect. I thought these were usually in the 65K range too.
John

John, the only places I see Chevy II L79s selling for these kinds of prices would be at big name auctions where 2 or more people with lots of money get into bidding wars. The car being discussed here started on eBay at 150K. The chances of selling a Chevy II L79 on line for that kind of price are pretty slim. In my experience, most of the collector quality L79s never make it to the open market. The L79 collectors know where the cars are. I always had 2 or 3 qualified people on a list waiting for me to sell mine. When the time came, I went to the 1st person on the list and he bought it. I'm always suspect when I see cars like this black L79 being advertised on eBay, or worse yet, Craigslist.

Bob

[markjohnson]

They are cool rides for sure and I’ve always been a fan of them but I never really considered them six-figure cars. Crazy thing is they made well over 5,000 of them and I know several people that actually bought them brand new. They were so reasonably priced when new that I think people just considered them disposable!

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Always remember. You can ADVERTISE at any price you like, but unfortunately there's lots of folks who think that is the value. Because it's advertised as such. Not true.

[Lynn]

Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) ordered like 16 L79 Wagons back in the day. Don't know who was in charge of the fleet order, but guess he didn't want the techs showing up late!!!

[fsc66]

See attached:

[chevelleheart]

Ok , now that is a cool historical document! I always enjoyed Oklahoma... that’s great

[EZ Nova]

John, the only places I see Chevy II L79s selling for these kinds of prices would be at big name auctions where 2 or more people with lots of money get into bidding wars. The car being discussed here started on eBay at 150K. The chances of selling a Chevy II L79 on line for that kind of price are pretty slim. In my experience, most of the collector quality L79s never make it to the open market. The L79 collectors know where the cars are. I always had 2 or 3 qualified people on a list waiting for me to sell mine. When the time came, I went to the 1st person on the list and he bought it. I'm always suspect when I see cars like this black L79 being advertised on eBay, or worse yet, Craigslist.

Bob

Bob, what would you say is the "average" for a L79 SS Nova? I see them from mid 50's and usually top in the 70's?

[JayR]

Bob, what would you say is the "average" for a L79 SS Nova? I see them from mid 50's and usually top in the 70's?

Lots of variables, but if we're only talking about number 2 or 3 cars proven to be real L79 Chevy IIs, the 'real world' average is probably 60K - 80K.

Bob

[CamaroNOS]

A very knowledgeable friend that is well versed in the Nova world suggests this should be priced a WHOLE lot less than what it is and there is a shopping list of incorrect items/finishes on this car.

Including an interesting cowl tag.

Paul

[EZ Nova]

Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) ordered like 16 L79 Wagons back in the day. Don't know who was in charge of the fleet order, but guess he didn't want the techs showing up late!!!

I recall one of those we getting restored. I forget what ever happened to it or if it was a true car etc.

Anyone know any more on those wagons or if that one that was getting restored was indeed one of these 16?

[PeteLeathersac]

'

L79 Wagon '05 SYC thread...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82264
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[ScottG]

The photo of the trim tag shows faint witness marks on the firewall where the real tag was and now this smaller tag does not cover those lines. Suspect to say the least.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Sad Part is only a handful of buying public see forum posts like this. Another huge bunch of buying public will not even do the research to ascertain current market value, let alone whether the TRIM TAG is legit Or VIN TAG. or the Factory Rivets. But they sure as heck always see a Crayon Mark or Inspection Paint Dab. Surely a car with those things is Real and Must be more expensive LOL