1969 Chevrolet Nova SS

It's the classic cautionary tale about the pitfalls of doing business in foreign countries that can be found in hundreds (if not thousands) of books about marketing: General Motors introduced their Chevrolet Nova model of automobile into a Spanish-speaking market, then scratched their heads in puzzlement when it sold poorly. GM executives were baffled until someone finally pointed out to them that “nova” translates as “doesn't go” in Spanish. The embarrassed automobile giant changed the model name to the Caribe, and sales of the car took off. As the facts prove this is indeed a tall tale, however it lives on in internet infamy.

For consignment and ripe for the picking here at Classic Auto Mall, this Garnet Red and black vinyl topped completely restored example is showing off as a very juicy morsel of Detroit metal and sculpting, from our inventory. With straight steel panels, nice chrome, beautiful interior and 14-inch Chevrolet rally wheels we can have you red with envy, and ready to turn the key and go off into the sunset albeit somewhat fast!

Exterior
From its single headlight on either side upfront, blackened egg crate grille with centrally located SS badge, shiny trim surround and nice bumper below we are firmly planted in 1969 bowtie muscle. Straight Garnet Red painted steel minds its gaps and has slight crimp all straight and true at the belt line for some extra body sculpting. Chromed window trimmings add a nice contrast to the Garnet Red, as well as the excellent condition black vinyl top. For 1969 smooth long nicely descending B pillars frame the rear glass, and seamlessly melt into the trunk deck. A side view has great lines and bringing up the rear is a rounded back roll pan with wrap around bumper and tail lighting just above. On all 4 corners are 14-inch rally wheels wrapped in redline tires. All period correct bowtie muscle that has received plenty of attention.

Interior
A swing of the doors and black vinyl molded with some horizontal ribbing, chrome levers and cranks, and a horizontal badge show up as straight as arrows on these door panels. Turning our attention to the interior, we see high back buckets with smooth black vinyl bolsters, and black inserts which are looking nearly unused. These are in front and a nice black full vinyl bench in back all float in a nice calm clean sea of black carpeting. Above in front is an original configuration dash direct from GM. The radio is all in and working great. In the center hanging from the bottom of the dash are a foursome of factory gauges monitoring water temp, oil pressure, fuel level and volts. In the middle of the buckets protruding from the console is a Muncie shifter with a black ball topper. Above is a nice tight headliner, which presents as new.

Drivetrain
Pop the hood and within the restored engine bay now sits a V8 engine in 350ci L48 numbers matching form. It is painted orange/red on the block and has matching colored valve covers. The air cleaner cover is now chromed with a single snout covering. A correct 4-barrel carburetor runs through a stock GM intake manifold, and power goes rearward through a numbers matching Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission. On the back is a 12-bolt rear, and the consigner states the gear ratio, which is also backed up by the stamping code, is 3.31and is a Positrac version. All casing numbers and dates are absolutely correct for this beautiful original drivetrain.

Undercarriage
Just all beautifully and painstakingly restored, shiny black and a new fuel tank in its gray metal glory. Shiny dual exhaust snakes its way rearward past independent coil spring front suspension, and leaf spring rear suspension. A very nice job if I must say so myself!

Drive-Ability
My partner in crime decoder and resident car expert, (why do you think I sound so knowledgeable??!), loves late 60s muscle so he took it for a spin and returned with just a smile on his face! He reported snappy acceleration, bias free panic stopping, good handling and all functions working just fab.

A juicy example of the Nova SS, now with all numbers matching drivetrain, snappy excellent black vinyl interior, Muncie shifter and a beautiful deep end of the pool exterior painted surfaces. Nearly as original as one can get, if you are into turning a key and no wrenching required.

VIN DECODE
114279W377914
1-Chevrolet
14-Nova V8
27-2 Door Sedan
9-1969
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
377914-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 69 11427-1969 Nova V8 2 Door Sedan
BDY WRN223190-Willow Run Body #
TR 733-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 59B-Frost Lime, Black Vinyl Top
12B-2nd Week December Build
A-Black Dash
1-Exterior Trim Options

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.