63 SS Nova COPO ???????

[JoeC]

part of that is true that Chevy had a V8 Nova install kit available as a service/parts item.
It was designed by Bill Thomas
There was a nice 1963/64 magazine article on a 327 FI 4 speed install

[Paul_S]

Huh.... I'd really like to see the numbers and any documentation on this car. GM designed all the parts for a V-8 conversion in '62 along with heavy duty hubs and brakes. Bill Thomas used all GM parts in his build. The only thing he couldn't get was the Nova only block/engine assembly. He used a 'Vette FI 327 and modified the oil pan. As far as I know, you could get all over the counter to convert but not sure on the COPO thing... sounds like a stretch. It would be very interesting if it did have a conversion block in it but why leave the PG?

[92646]

This will be the first I have ever seen. A numbers matching 1963 COPO Nova with a 283 installed at the factory and a frame off restoration. These are pretty big claims I wonder what documentation he has to back it up. Is it safe to say that this COPO nova probally does not have the special Nova block and they had to use the powerglide trans because there are no provisions cast in for the clutch piviot?
Mark Sheppard

[Verne_Frantz]

Mark,
'63 283s were commonly available with 3-spds so the hole for the Z-bar pivot should be on all of them.
As for COPO, a look at the cowl tag should provide an answer.

Verne

[JayR]

Stevesnovasite had a pretty good discussion about this car when it appeared on Ebay in April with a BIN of $45,900!!! One of the members talked to the seller who had absolutely nothing in the way of proof to backup the COPO claim. The car was built in Oakland third week of March/63. The cowl tag shows the SS option, radio, driver door mirror and powerglide. The general consensus is that this is a real nice 63 Nova SS that, like many of these cars, had the six swapped out for a 283 V/8. There are frequent listings of 63 Chevy IIs purported to have the dealer installed V/8 and 4 speed conversion, however they all seem to be short on proof. These installs were more than half the price of the car, so there weren't many takers. Those that did must have been a little more than upset when the 283 introduced for the 64 Chevy II was only a $108 option plus $188 for a 4 speed.
Bob

[Verne_Frantz]

If it means anything, I have a copy of Chevrolet's production records for the '63 model year. According to those numbers, there were 3 Chevy-IIs built with a 283 V8, and ONE 4-spd.

Verne

[Paul_S]

DE is the correct code for Nova 283/PG for '64 but will have to verify for conversion suffix. I asked for block codes, casting #'s and data plate photo. Would like to see the casting date.

Verne, what production records are you seeing that? Could they just be engineering mules or what?

[x Baldwin Motion]

wait a second....one of three???

[Verne_Frantz]

Chris,
That is a real Chevy-II block (or at least pan), judging by the position of the dipstick.

Verne

[wagonman]

i will se wayne bushey in a few weeks.....i will definately bring this up.

a factory built 1963 nova! wow!

i would love to be the person to inform him on this,but i truly feel i'm not the one that should....

i'm just a student on this!!!!!!!

so i will go and stand in the corner now.....


i am truly humbled at these docs....3 63 v8 novas built from the factory......

as mentioned from jayR in an earlier post"'never say never' when it comes to cars built in this era. It seems anything was possible."

how true that seems to be......

ok,

now it would be interesting to see the engine casting date,suffix code.ex manifolds casting dates.and see if they used a v8 version of the powerglide.one more forward clutch if my memory serves me.