Any documented 1968 Chevy II Nova SS "327" cars?

[hotrodchev]

Marlin,

Do you know of any documented '68 Chevy II Nova SS "327" cars that exist? Earlier this week, I located the second owner of my "assumed" 1968 "327" Nova SS. This person verified for me that the car was indeed a Super Sport with a "327" and was still number matching when he had owned it, but believes the car was factory equipped with the L30 (275-HP) 327 and not the L79 (325-HP) 327. Unfortunately, I'm still without a build sheet or any other original documentation at this time to help back up this claim. My car does however have a 12-bolt rearend, factory hanger brackets for a dual exhaust and "finned" front drum brakes. Although I'm aware that these features are favorable for an "SS", they still aren't reliable enough to prove the authenticity of the car. I don't know if this would be of any help to you, but I have attached a photo of the cowl tag from my car and the VIN reads 114278W291069. The 2nd owner believes that the 3rd owners are still in possession of the original motor and transmission, even though they had already denied having these components after I confronted them about it a year ago.

Please let me know your thoughts or if you know of any documented "SS 327" cars out there.

Thanks for your help.

Tim "Hotrodchev"

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Tim;
I'm no expert on the '68 Novas, but have done some research on the L79's that were available until the L78 became available. To my knowledge, the L30 engine was available on a non-SS's, and the L79 may have been as well - this was common on the '66 Novas as well. I have an orig. bill of sale for a '68 L30 Nova, I will dig it out to see if that particular car was also an SS. Your '68 didn't happen to come from Horlacher and Sherwood Chev. in South Montrose, PA did it?

[hotrodchev]

Marlin,

The information I was given by the 2nd owner was that the car had always been in California (but anything is possible). Apparently, he had acquired the car in 1993 from the son of the first owner who is now deceased. My only hope now is to track down the original owners son, but beyond that, it's looking pretty grim for locating any of the original documentation for this car.

P.S.- Please keep me up to date if you happen to run across that Bill of Sale for the '68 L30 Nova. That's the first encouraging news I've heard since I began this wild goose chase.

Thanks again,
Tim "HOTRODCHEV"

[68l30]

I do know a Camaro with the L-30/M-20 would have had a 12 bolt.I bet the Nova is the same.The L-30 / M-20 Camaro is almost a SS.The only thing missing is the ID and a few cubic inches.Look over at CRG for a article on this combo.It may be similar to what the Nova would have used.I doubt a L-30 SS ever saw the light of day in Nova trim.In my opinion,it is a better combo than the SS 350.I love the short stroke and the RPM potential.A wolf in sheeps clothing with the right gear and tranny...Old school all the way....

Steve (68L30)

[JoeC]

email me if you need a correct date coded 1968 L79 distribitor for Nova or Chevelle

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I'm looking at an original b.o.sale for a '68 Nova with an L30, 275hp Turbo-Fire V8. It's engine assy date is 'V0311EA', and was sold on 4-17-68. I've been looking for this car, it's nicely optioned with 733 black interior, T60 heavy duty battery, F40 special suspension, U63 am radio, and M11 Floor shift control. There is no mention of the optional M20/M21/M22, but the EA code denotes a 4speed and the trans code on this sheet is 'S8B07' - I think this is a Saginaw 4speed?

This is not an SS car, unusual with the F40 option but not impossible, the F40 was available on all models.

[68l30]

M-20 or whatever as long as it's a 4 sp.Should also have multi-leaf springs.Both the std.327 and the L-30 auto used a single leaf rear.All 4sp. got the multi-leaf.Look for the 4 sp radiator and rear end id #/dates.

Steve

[Rat_Pack]

Marlin, it would be a Saginaw transmission, and the numbers decode as one built in Feb 07, 68. The 4-spd Muncies were only installed in the SS models with the 350 or 396. 68L30 is correct about the springs, should be multileaf with any 4spd...............RatPack............

[1967Z28]

The "EA" code just denotes a manual transmission, not necessarily a four-speed. Without the M20 code on the window sticker, this was a three-speed car with a floor shift.

I have a friend looking for a legit '68 L79 Nova. If anybody knows of one for sale, let me know. Thanks.

-Jon

1967 Z28 street car
1967 Z28 Trans-Am race car
1967 Z28 Registry

[hotrodchev]

Here's an article from High-Performance Stockers magazine December 1967 issue mentioning the availability of the L79 in the '68 Nova's. Also very interesting is the fact that it says the L79 is only available with stick shift.

Tim "Hotrodchev"