just got my first nova

['72nova]

I just bought a 72 Nova with a 307 and automatic (on the column), 39000 original miles, clean interior and straight body. Everything is original inside and out except for the 'vette rally wheels. (original wheels and hubcaps come with the car btw) excellent car with the exception of the rust. (the passengers side lower rear quarter is rusted out, along with the panel between the rear windsheild and trunk. and the Trunk is completley gone to the rust.)

got her for 3700.

I was wondering what will need to be done to make an SS clone out of her?
Did any 72 SS's come with a column shift?
And has anyone done this...and would be able to give me an estimate for how much this will run?

Thanks in advance.

ill put pictures up soon. (going to go get the car tomorrow)


got the car... here's the pictures.


and the side that needs some work..

[71NOVA02]

congrats!!!
Novas are great, take good care of it!
I can't help you too much on transforming it to an SS, nut i do have a lot of body panels and a rust free body that i am willing to cut up. it s a 72 2 door that got hit on the drivers door hard so the door and front fender are shot, but the rest is good. You can see the other parts i have on the "72 nova parting out" post.
one final thing that i try to share with all is the sifference an electronic ignition made in my car. by far one of my favorite upgrades for performance and relighability.

good luck, and let me know if you need any parts
- zach

[AlmostStock]

Originally Posted by '72nova

I was wondering what will need to be done to make an SS clone out of her?
Did any 72 SS's come with a column shift?
And has anyone done this...and would be able to give me an estimate for how much this will run?)

Some of the things specific to the SS Nova for 72 are as follows:

200 hp 350 V-8. (your 307 was factory rated at 130)

Dual exhaust

Four speed manual or 3 speed auto transmission (a 3 speed manual or 2 speed auto was available only on non SS's)

Power brakes with discs in front (standard was 4 wheel drums)

"sport suspension"

14 X 7 inch wheels (standard was 14 X 6)

E70 X 14 white letter tires

Simulated air intakes on hood

Black accent grill and rear trim panel with SS emblems


As you can see, changing everything would be quite expensive. That's why most people just get the emblems and wheels and call it a clone. To answer your question about having a column shift (with bench seat) on a SS I'm not sure. The 72 sales brochure does not specify, but even if it was available, most SS's were built with bucket seats and floor shifters because that's what buyers wanted. If a column shift was available on a SS, it had to be rare.

Welcome to the board, it sounds like you found a decent car, have fun with it. What color is it? Does it have original paint? 39,000 miles is relatively low.

['72nova]

Originally Posted by AlmostStock

Welcome to the board, it sounds like you found a decent car, have fun with it. What color is it? Does it have original paint? 39,000 miles is relatively low.

Awsome, thanks man.

It's got the original brown-gold paint and white interior. the paint is pretty clean, but the previous owner (who was going to restore it) took a spray can to the front drivers side quarter.

and about the miles... other than being registered and licenced this year, the last time was in '80. so its only been driven for like 9 years. For the past 25ish years it was in a garage in texas.

oh, and i got the original bill of sale and window sticker (with options) with the car too.