want to get a nova.

[scoutinkeith]

hello everyone, my name is Keith. I'm new here, but it looks like a good place to find lots of good, helpfull information.
currently I have a dodge truck, but I'm wanting to sell it, and get a nova. see, my dad had a '71 nova, but when I was 3 years old, he passed away, and my mother had to sell the car. well, I am finailly to the point that I can seriously think about getting and building a car like the one that my Dad had. so I gues I'm just looking for any information about what to look for when I finailly find one. are there any problem areas that should be looked at, what, if any, years are better than others? really the only thing that I "need" is for it to be the same body style as my Dad's 71. (I think that's 69-73 riht?)
thanks,
Keith

[Fyter87]

Well I have a 68 and everyone thinks mines a 72, So im pretty sure its, around those years. Things to look out for, Just make sure it runs first, check for oil leaks. Make sure to take it for a test drive, see how the brakes are and stuff. Ask the guy if hes ever been under the car, beucase you dont want to by a car that had or has a cracked frame. Its illegal for anyone to sell a car with a cracked frame. Make sure it hasnt been in a accident. Ask the guy if the engine was turned over at all (which means that hit 99,999 and turned over-00000) Ask if the tranny has been rebuilt. Also if the engine has been rebuilt. I guess any other general questions. Hope this helps, GOOD LUCK!

[scoutinkeith]

thanks.
are there any problem areas that I should pay specail attention to? like body mounts, floor pans, or any other places that are prone to rust that could be easily consealed?

[Robs71Nova]

Definitely get under the car and check the floor pans out. ALso check out the trunk from the inside. Check the very bottom of the fenders, the hood around the front lip molding, and inside the lip that runs along the side windows. Thats about all I can currently think of. Because of being old there cars dont really hide problems all that well.
Rob

[Fyter87]

Make sure all the trim is good, their isnt any water leaks. Make sure all the Windows and locks work too. Also make sure all the lights work in the car. The electrical system aint faulty or anything. Its pretty easy to rewire old cars. But its time consuming. I cant reallyl think anything else.

[scoutinkeith]

thanks for all the tips guys.
as of now, I'm just casuailly looking for a nova, but as soon as I get my truck sold, you can bet that there will be a nova setting in the drive.
anyway, thanks for all the advice, now I know what to look for when I get around to finding a car.

[carkrazy1987]

The 68 - 72 have the same body style. in 73 the bumpers came out about 2 inches cause of the safety impact bumbers and the tail panel were the lights are is different. istead of having 2 lights there are 4. Other things you should look at is were the frame mounts to the body. make sure these areas arent rusted away because they can be a pain in the ass to fix. try to find a car that has been unmolested which will reduce the amount of problems you will find. But the condition of the car all depends on ur abilities to fix the car, and what kinda of project u are looking for. e.i. mild resto, fixer upper, complete resto... the floor pans and trunk floor are the usual rust spots which should really be looked at. besides those areas just the usual spots on all cars, like wheel wells, around the window etc. i think that is it for now, i will probly think of more later. Good luck on ur search.

[Rex Orr]

good luck in your hunt there are some cars still out there to be found