'70 Nova L78 (nicely documented)

[mockingbird812]

Ran across this at TRM (http://www.mtnhmweb.com/trmclassiccars.asp) :

1970 CHEVROLET NOVA SS396
This is one extremely rare and well preserved muscle car. Even when new, L78 Novas in 1969 were far and few between. The 1970 model was super rare back then. Now days you never see them. Especially real, number matching ones with paperwork. This is a 1970 Nova L78, 4 speed, 12 bolt posi car. It is numbers matching (engine, trans and rear), heavily documented (to include protecto plate)and has 16,000 original miles. It has all original sheet metal and 90% original paint. It was spotted in, in a few places due to chips or where is was rubbed thru(not rust or damage). The vinyl top, interior, underside, trunk, glass etc are all original and look brand new. The best part is that the original owner is still alive. It would be hard to find a better preserved piece of muscle car history that has original drivetrain and is so well documented. It comes with the orginal protecto plate, invoice, bill of sale and broadcast sheet. The original selling dealer was contacted and they gave up their copies of the invoice, first free dealer inspection certificate (for 1,500 miles), original buyers order, scheduled price sheet (dealer copy of window sticker), and dealer inspection sheet. It has a set of early 70's headers and does not have the smog. Find a better one! $89,500.

Anyone know this car?
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[deuce-less]

i know chris brannon who owns trm....
he's always been honest with me....
i bought an L-78 nova from him as well, it's somewhere in colorado as we speak and headed for sparks nevada http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif feel free to pm me if you have a specific question which i can answer

alan http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[mockingbird812]

Thanks Alan. Was really listing it for general info to the site. Sounded interesting to me and thot others would be interested as well. I was impressed with the extensive docs and owner history. If I were in the market, this would be the credentials I would be looking for - of course backed up with a thorough inspection.

Tell us about your L78 Nova! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[deuce-less]

the nova on its way to sparks....
19,000 miles, L-78, broadcast sheet, frost lime, with midnight green custom bench, am fm, remote drivers mirror.
born with engine and rear, M-20 originally, now has a M-22 non numbers.
it should be a great car to enjoy while 'the blue mule' is being restored in iowa at kens place.
i plan to pull the numbers block for storage and chuck is building a nice L-88 for the nova to run for fun. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

alan http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[mockingbird812]

"run for fun"........... you betcha'. That L88 shld have little trouble motivating that little Nova body. Sounds like fun. Is yr frost lime Nova a '70?

[deuce-less]

its a 69 car, it's the car that was a stable mate to the 70 car at trm, which you posted http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
it was less $$$$ than the 70, a better driver choice for me.
the 70 L-78 production was lower than 69, making them a bit more unusual i think

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
its a 69 car, it's the car that was a stable mate to the 70 car at trm, which you posted http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
it was less $$$$ than the 70, a better driver choice for me.
the 70 L-78 production was lower than 69, making them a bit more unusual i think

[/ QUOTE ]

The '70 production was a bit lower, 4,500+/-, compared to the '69 production of 5,500+/-. The 'unique' thing about the '70 version is the TCS and the pancake intake - thanks to the camaro.

[Schonyenko2]

Don't forget the dual snorkle air cleaner on the later builds.

[Stefano]

The way I look at it, the 1970s basically had a Chevelle LS6 top end.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

With the pancake intake? I think the heads were same spec's as the 840's from the prior year & the LS6 was all about the bottom end wasn't it?

[WILMASBOYL78]

RPO-L78 Novas in 1970.....total produced 3765. The L78 top end was basically identical to the LS6 454 motors. Heads were the newer 291's with larger valves..2.19 int...1.88 exh. They both shared the same cam, carb, TCS and low profile intake. The other major difference from 69 was the actual CID of the motor...though labeled a 396, they were actually 402's. Lots of theories on why...I will let others debate that. Some guys I know claim the low profile intake hurt performance and many switched back to the 163 or aftermarket in the day. By the way...I know that 69 green car quite well and one of it's prior owners... almost bought it..sorry I didn't...nice car..good luck!


wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[deuce-less]

speaking of 70 L-78 novas....

i can't believe that fathom blue car is still available!!

awesome color, it looks just right http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[deuce-less]

if you can, pm me the info you have on the prior owners...

did you get the pic's over the weekend on the th400 car??

i am interested http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

thx, alan

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
RPO-L78 Novas in 1970.....total produced 3765. The L78 top end was basically identical to the LS6 454 motors. Heads were the newer 291's with larger valves..2.19 int...1.88 exh. They both shared the same cam, carb, TCS and low profile intake. The other major difference from 69 was the actual CID of the motor...though labeled a 396, they were actually 402's. Lots of theories on why...I will let others debate that. Some guys I know claim the low profile intake hurt performance and many switched back to the 163 or aftermarket in the day. By the way...I know that 69 green car quite well and one of it's prior owners... almost bought it..sorry I didn't...nice car..good luck!


wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Never really noticed that the 291's had bigger valves, or that the LS6's had the short intake. Do these differences translate into a noticeable power difference between the '69 vs. the '70?

[WILMASBOYL78]

I don't have any dyno info to document the difference, just "street" feedback from guys I knew. The low profile intake was supposed to be a method for better hood clearance on the Corvette and perhaps Camaro. I would think that the larger valves might take a little off the bottom-end, but on the 454, with all that torque, it probably wouldn't be noticed. Most cars with these type engines had pretty strong rear gears which kept the revs up in the power range. I have never driven an LS6 car but I do know that the L78's really come on once you hit 3,000 rpms. Love to hear those solids sing!!!

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Schonyenko2]

I was not impressed with my 70 L78. It didn't run as well as 69s. Seemed way nose heavy compared to other earlier L78s I've driven. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Best L78 nova I ever drove was a 68. My deuce would have ate my big block alive.

[Salvatore]

SB ate your BB alive! Thats impossible Mayor. Only reason I can figure is that the First Lady must have been driving the Deuce and you the BB car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[47Hammer]

Maybe he forgot to release the parking brake on the BB. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Schonyenko2]

BB was before the 1st lady Sammy. She got 1 ride in it before I hit the bridge with it. I don't know why it wasn't quicker than it was. I lost races with it, that I won going away with the deuce to the same cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I never had a chance to tweak it. I'm sure headers, and some M/Ts would have helped.

[Bill Pritchard]

My friend Rick's 70 L78 Nova was a dog bone stock....ran like low 15's. Add headers, dual point distributor, 4.56 gear and presto, high 12's.

[1970Bluel78]

I can vividly remember throwing my " Pancake " intake into the dumpster and putting on a Wiend high rise........Yikes 20/20

[Salvatore]

Don't feel bad, that is where all the smog junk and dog dish hub caps went too. Just think that was the "IN" think to do in 1969 to about 1974. You better not show up and hang around the speed shops or Hot Shops with that original stuff STILL on your car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif You had about a 2 week window to ditch that original non-performance stuff. Jack it up and put some L60's on a set of deep dish Cragars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't feel bad, that is where all the smog junk and dog dish hub caps went too. Just think that was the "IN" think to do in 1969 to about 1974. You better not show up and hang around the speed shops or Hot Shops with that original stuff STILL on your car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif You had about a 2 week window to ditch that original non-performance stuff. Jack it up and put some L60's on a set of deep dish Cragars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You're killing me here! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bad1racing]

Tom,You are correct about the 3,000rpm thing.The 68 motor that I have doesn't come on real strong until then.Then you better have a good hold on to the wheel and the shifter because it winds up in a hurry.It's almost like a 2stroke dirt bike coming up on the pipe.Kinda a dog until it gets on the pipe.
Kendall http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Those motors need some R's to get them rocking and then hold on!! It kind of reminds me of my buddies Cessna floatplane...you have to get it "up on the step" to get her free and airborn....

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Steven J]

[ QUOTE ]

i bought an L-78 nova from him as well, it's somewhere in colorado as we speak and headed for sparks nevada http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]


Do you have any photos to share ?

[deuce-less]

i have a few pics, although the car hasn't arrived yet... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[deuce-less]

another

[deuce-less]

another one

[deuce-less]

last one

[jasonL78]

I was comparing your broadcast sheet on the 69 bb you bought to my 68 bb nova. Mine has 17 boxes and yours only has 15. Some same options located in a different location Interesting! I would think they would be the same.

Jason

[deuce-less]

not being an expert on those sheets.... don't really know, although i wouldn't be surprised to see some changes year to year.


alan http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Nice car, love the color. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[deuce-less]

lookin' forward to putting my rear in the front seat and shifting a few gears... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

probably see it early next week... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

one way of getting just what you always wanted for christmas, buy a car for yourself.... as long as you can handle the heat in the kitchen http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Xplantdad]

Alan...Merry Christmas to you! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

The Nova just looks "right" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[deuce-less]

thx for the kind words.
i find that anymore, i get more excited about a 69 nova with nice patina than i do about a lot of newer items that cost more http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

alan

[396L78canuck]

Looks killer a real sleeper.Same as my 1970 poverty caps and forest green.Bob http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[SS427]

I could not agree more about the sleeper look! That car looks sweet especially in a non cookie cutter color. A nice change. Congrats on the early X-mas gift.
Rick

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
....i find that anymore, i get more excited about a 69 nova with nice patina than i do about a lot of newer items that cost more http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

alan

[/ QUOTE ]

Welcome to the club, or sickness, now you have to join NNN http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Stefano]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif L78. Congrats!

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
i find that anymore, i get more excited about a 69 nova with nice patina than i do about a lot of newer items that cost more http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

And another http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif for the color combo!