Documented Numbers Matching Restored Nova SS 327 L79 V8 4 Speed

In 1966 the compact Nova received a hard-edged facelift that mirrored Chevy's successful Chevelle and Impala. That being said, sharp sheetmetal paled in comparison to the car's most significant upgrade: the legendary L79 option. As intentionally nondescript as the Super Sport trim it accompanied, L79 netted the car's lucky new owner a 327 cubic inch, 350 horsepower small block that was cribbed directly from the Corvette. That mill was certainly a hit, as a little over 5,400 of the red-hot bowties were ordered. But, unfortunately, most were purchased strictly for the quarter mile, which means, thanks to the law of attrition, finding an authentic L79 Nova is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, as you know, your friends at RK Motors Charlotte take pride in specializing in rare and hard to find classics. And that's why we're proud to feature this fully documented, registry-listed L79 Nova. Wrapping a numbers-matching drivetrain in correct Marina Blue on Black aesthetics, this highly original wonder transforms the phrase "investment grade compact" from oxymoron into fact!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a partial restoration that was conducted in the mid '90s, this Nova is a sharp weekend cruiser that currently presents much better than original factory fodder. During the car's precise reboot, solid sheetmetal was completely striped of its dull, original pigment. With that shell removed, and its foundation massaged into great alignment, correct Marina Blue base was sealed in mirror-like clear. And today, one close look at our high-resolution pictures reveals a handsome payoff in the form of one slick Chevrolet muscle car!

The subdued and classy lines of the prototypical Nova are early '60s conservative. And because they're so universal in appeal, they've continued to gain significant popularity. At the front of this hardtop, a correct, black-trimmed grille hangs a classy “CHEVY II SS” badge between a mirrored bumper, clear parking lamps and bright, stainless-trimmed headlights. Above that grille, a finned hood anchors a simple Chevrolet crest in front of clean glass, polished wipers and straight stainless frames. At the sides of that hood, a clean, modernist profile centers small fender emblems and traditional door handles between straight wheel trim, a familiar bowtie mirror and correct Super Sport rocker guards. And at the back of the car, correct Super Sport trunk trim hangs red-detailed badging between vertical tail lamps and a second mirrored bumper.

ENGINE

Even if you forget everything else we tell you about this Chevy II, be sure to pay VERY close attention to what's under the car's hood. Motivating this real-deal Super Sport is a 1966-exclusive L79 V8 that, according to the factory, twists stout 11 to 1 compression into 350 Corvette-matching horsepower. Savvy collectors will quickly locate the original 327's correct 3791362 casting number, correct “ZI” suffix stamp and matching partial VIN. Casual observers will be quick to notice the mill's L79-exclusive polished, twin-snorkel air cleaner. And everyone will start to vibe when air and fuel flow from a big Holley carburetor in to a hot Winters intake that's framed by high-flow cylinder heads! That air/fuel mixture meets spark thanks to Packard TV R Suppression Cables, which crawl around polished valve covers on their way to a correct points distributor. Spent gases fall in to old school cast iron exhaust manifolds. There's a tagged radiator that joins a rebuilt alternator, a rebuilt master cylinder and a reproduction Delco battery to round out the car's first-rate ancillaries. And, when it comes to keeping up appearances, the entire engine compartment, from its Chevy Orange block to its Satin Black fenders, is clean, attractive and ready to roll!

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

One look under this sturdy compact reveals a solid chassis that's just as ready for the road as that stout 327. Power flows through an original Muncie 4-speed, which hangs a Muncie (P) assembled on March (03) 18th (18) 1966 build stamp behind a correct 3885010 casting number. That transmission twists a correct 12-bolt axle. Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a restored double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension. Stops come courtesy of manual drum brakes. Exhaust flows from the aforementioned manifolds to modern, aluminized pipes, which precede DynoMax Super Turbo mufflers with an H-shaped crossover. The body's unrestored floors wear a thick layer of original undercoating. And all that old school Americana rolls on traditional Chevrolet Rallies, which spin F70-14 Firestone redlines around polished trim rings and low profile center caps.

INTERIOR

Regardless of what motor made its way in to the subframe, the Nova always stayed true to its simplistic roots. No place was that more evident than in the car's cockpit. Front and center, nicely restored thrones provide seating. A showroom-quality dash balances rebuilt gauges between a correct Delco pushbutton radio and an original, Maine-mandated 4-way flasher switch. Beneath that dash, a Corvette-style shifter rides a chrome-trimmed console, which floats on like-new carpet that's protected by color-keyed floor mats. At the sides of that carpet, classy door panels are, like the car's headliner and package tray, virtually devoid of weathering. In front of the driver, a wide steering wheel laps a polished, “CHEVY II” branded horn bar. And behind the passengers, a matted trunk hides a full-size spare tire beneath a decaled decklid.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

A quick look at this Nova's VIN, cowl tag and Protect-O-Plate authenticates it status as a correct, real-deal L79 Super Sport.

VIN: 118376WXXXXXX

* 1: Chevrolet Motor Division
* 18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
* 37: 2-door coupe
* 6: 1966 model year
* W: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
* XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number

COWL TAG:

* 03D: Assembled during the fourth week (D) of March (03), 1966
* E: Black sheetmetal
* 66: 1966 model year
* 11837: Chevrolet (1) Chevy II Nova SS (18) 2-door coupe (37)
* WRN: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
* 5722: Fisher Body number
* 765: Black interior that's fitted with bucket seats
* F-F: Marina Blue paint
* W: Tinted windshield
* 2L: 4-speed transmission
* 5Y: Deluxe seatbelts

PROTECT-O-PLATE:

* E: Black interior
* FF: Marina Blue exterior
* 118376WXXXXXX: The car's VIN
* -- 1: Chevrolet Motor Division
* -- 18: Chevy II Nova SS that's equipped with a V8
* -- 37: 2-door coupe
* -- 6: 1966 model year
* -- W: Manufactured in Willow Run, Michigan
* -- XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
* H: Equipped with a Holley carburetor
* F0321ZI: The car's engine stamp
* -- ZI: Chevy II-exclusive special high performance 327
* -- F: Assembled in Flint, Michigan
* -- 0321: On March 21st, 1966
* BO0214G: The car's rear axle stamp
* -- BO: Posi-traction axle that's fitted with 3.55 gears
* -- G: Assembled at Detroit Gear & Axle
* -- 0214: On February 14th, 1966
* M: Assembled in March of 1966
* P0318: The car's transmission stamp
* -- P: Muncie 4-speed
* -- 0318: Assembled on March 18th, 1966

----------

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* An original marketing brochure
* An original build sheet
* An original Owner's Guide
* The car's original Dealer Invoice
* The car's original warranty booklet and Protect-O-Plate
* An original accessory guide
* The car's Certificate of Registration for the L79 Registry
* A Sunpro Super Tach II
* Auto Gage accessory gauges

So there you have it: a rare, fully documented piece of Chevrolet history that features an original, '66-exclusive powertrain. Seldom do you find a unique classic that mixes this level of preservation with outstanding provenance and innate collectability. Think about it: an original drivetrain, original documentation and a well-preserved car that features many original parts. No serious collector would pass on an opportunity like this!

----------

SUMMARY

* Authentic L79 Chevy II Nova Super Sport
* Listed in the L79 Registry
* Original 327 cubic inch L79 V8 / 350 horsepower
* Original Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
* Correct Marina Blue paint
* Correct Black bucket seat interior
* Sale includes: An original build sheet / An original Dealer Invoice / An original Protect-O-Plate
* Sale includes the car's Certificate of Registration for the L79 Registry
* Correct 12-bolt rear axle
* 14-inch Rally Wheels