1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I just picked up the December 07' Muscle Car Review Sunday. On the cover is a good looking white/blue 396/375 1969 Nova. But I noticed the car does not have the SS grill emblem, hood louvers, or the SS tail panel trim. According to the story wrote by Paul Zazarine this is one of a "handful" of NON SS 396/375 Novas. This is a first for me. I have never heard of a NON SS 396. Anyone ever hear of such an animal?...BKH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I was wondering that as well, didn't the 69 Yenko Novas come to him as SS cars.? I would have figured he would have that deleted prior to delivery if it all possible

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

It may have been possible they did have 1970 402bb malibus that were non SS if my memory serves correct.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

The Yenko Novas were all SS cars...BKH

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I just picked up the same issue and had the same question. Did such a beast exist?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I have never seen an L78 non SS Malibu/Chevelle? Any out there?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I think tsq396 is referring to the LS-3 equipped Malibu.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I have never heard of this, but I guess anything is possible when you ordered these cars back in the day.. Maybe somebody wanted the ultimate sleeper look with the L78 engine option and ordered it that way?? Unless specially ordered this way, I don't think Chevy ever made an L78 nova that did not have the SS option or goodies.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

I do know of a local car (69 Nova) running around that the original owner's son now owns. He stated that his father special ordered the car with all of the SS options minus the hood louvers and badging. The car has the original hi-po 350 in it that would have came in the SS models. This car was special ordered this way from a local dealership here in Ohio and is the "real deal".

Rich

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

This car also has deluxe blue bench seat, and states it had a rubber mat. I also thought only carpet was available with deluxe interior. It has a black mat. I think even rubber mats were color coded to interiors, so it should be blue...BKH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Do you have any pics from the Magazine you can post?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

My father in law, ordered one brand new to use as a "tow vehicle" for his drag car. He's told me the story 5-6 times now. I'll see if I can get a picture of it.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

[ QUOTE ]
This car also has deluxe blue bench seat, and states it had a rubber mat. I also thought only carpet was available with deluxe interior. It has a black mat. I think even rubber mats were color coded to interiors, so it should be blue...BKH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Deluxe interior included carpet, rubber mats were molded in black, but were painted/dyed to match the seats, door panels, etc. in a blue interior. I've never seen or heard of a non SS big block nova period, let alone an L78...I haven't seen the article but sure sounds like a fish story to me.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

I don't imagine the article provides any documentation/paperwork to prove of any of this?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Got mine today....Interesting car that's for sure. Total sleeper look to it. I really like the look of the Dover White with the blue gut. ....I'd put some 307 bezels on it and go street racing.

Steve

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

After looking at the Nov. 15 1968 printing of Section 3 of the 1969 Truck Data Book/Passenger Car page 47 ...It states in bold italic letters "The following additional horsepower engines may be ordered when Nova SS (option Z26)is specified on order".. L34 & L78...Also under the Power Teams (page 51) it specifies both options (Z26/L78) unlike other combos (LM1) listed alone. There could be a later update to the specs, or maybe a COPO/SO loophole..I've learned to never say never...

Steve

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Guess I need to go to the market and get this magazine...so I can see what you guys are talking about... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Agreed!

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

All indications point to this being an SS-only engine. I would think if it was real, some effort should have been made to show how it's an anomoly and how it's special in some manner. Instead, we're just left wondering, and I'm not about to believe just anything a magazine is supposed to say . . . especially considering the same issue has a Hemicuda feature that it lists as a Gran Coupe, which is totally incorrect.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I know people who "back in the day" tried to order high horse camaros with SS delete trim, but were unable to. And obviously those dealers were not well enough connected to know how to order a COPO.
The closest thing to an SS with high po performance, but a non SS in a nova was an L 79, but that ended in 68.
Interesting. Either it's something most of us have never come across before, or someones got their stories tangled.
I tend to agree with Joe, in that I'd like to see some paperwork. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif
Maybe this is one of those cars that had the motor blown up almost immediately, and had it upgraded at the dealership to a L78 for a few bucks more. Then local legend made it a "factory" built car.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I know this is a little off, but why does it seem that there is more knowledge on this site and no one seems to be backed by a resto company or TV show? Or could I be wrong? How many of you gurus on here are backed by a company or TV show?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

The Mayor is backed by Television, a restoration shop as well as his constituents!

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Mayor is backed by Television, a restoration shop as well as his constituents!

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually we've been approached by the local network cable public access channel. But they're waiting to see if the major sponsor, Panky's bait shop is going to step up with money. Panky's sells "red wigglers". If you ain't got a red wiggler on, you ain't workin it right. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Man, you are hilarious! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Red Wigglers, the Cadillac of worms. Available in fine worm shops everywhere.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Here is the cover shot of the car. Note that the car is identified as an "SS396".
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...5/scan0001.jpg
Without posting the entire article, the author states that of the 5,272 L-78 Novas built in 1969, a "handful" were not.
He does state that there are no records as to how many were built as non-SS cars. There is also no mention of the history of this particular car, so no ducumentation is mentioned. (This is the magazine's way of generating controversy, which is always good for business). https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif
Carry on. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

(This is the magazine's way of generating controversy, which is always good for business).

Isn't that the the truth!!!!!!!!

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I have to believe that if you were able to build/order an L78 Nova sans the SS package, A LOT more would have surfaced as many of these were ordered strictly to drag race and the SS stuff would certainly not be wanted or paid for if deletable. Would like to see clearer verification on this. I am suprised Zazarine didn't research this more

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Clone or poor resto, take your pick!

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Poor choice of description! Sells the magazine though doesn't it?

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

[ QUOTE ]
..I've learned to never say never...

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

or always. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Correct or not; real or not,....... it's a cool car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...-I-Have-It.gif

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

A lot of Musclecar magazines out there currently!!

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Without all the paperwork, oddball cars aren't going to get too far, even if they are real. I remember being a little frustrated with people when not much of anyone believed that COPO Chevelles were ever built. Fortunately, being the original owner, I had all the paperwork to back the car up. It would be a shame if someone had a real deal oddball car, but didn't have the paperwork. A friend of mine claims to have ordered new in '68, an Oshawa built Malibu with the 396 engine. I never saw the car, and he had no reason to BS me. I really don't know other than to say, "Never say never." Things like this I just keep in the back of my head. If GM built oddballs, they sure kept it low key, because I never heard of it, nor seen one.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

that car is a killer.way cool.

if it is a fake,this isnt as bad as the 1 of none blue column shifted 67 "Hurst" 442 they did an article on a while back.
that car was so obviously fake,it was ridiculous.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I finally read the article today and looked at the pictures.. Very cool car but without any form of documentation to ascertain that it was ordered this way, I believe this car is a "put together L78 clone car". Like I said, I like it and it is cool and who cares if it is a clone. However, the magazine should not advertise it as something it is not, if this is the case...

Getting back to the Custom Interior Package conversation, It should have carpet and there should be the bright metal trimwork around the gas, brake and clutch pedals. This too came with this interior package.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...-I-Have-It.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Rich

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

[ QUOTE ]
A friend of mine claims to have ordered new in '68, an Oshawa built Malibu with the 396 engine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keith, did you guys ever try to search the car out through GM of Canada to see if there is paperwork on it? That's assuming your friend still knows the VIN.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I know this is a little off, but why does it seem that there is more knowledge on this site and no one seems to be backed by a resto company or TV show? Or could I be wrong? How many of you gurus on here are backed by a company or TV show?

[/ QUOTE ]

I starred in Fantasy Island...427King starred in the Munsters and Lillard played Mr. Rogers...strangely..Lillard and 427King were picked up on a TV show called Will & Grace...they are the flamers on that show.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

i believe several board members were contestants on project runway.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I wanted to get more info on the car but we just never got together. Haven't seen the guy in some time. It would be interesting though.

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

I've never seen a blue rubber mat car... all rubber mats were black IMO, regardless of interior color trim/theme

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

Well, you would be wrong with that opinion. I have parted a blue mat 69 Nova and a friend just picked up a green mat for his Nova..BKH

Re: 1969 375/396 Non SS Nova?
 

No question about it. The used original mat in my Deuce came from a green interior car and was also dyed green over the black rubber. In addition to green and blue, I've seen brown/tan too, and would bet there were more colors available than that.