Factory black on black. Code 14 V8/4-speed car. Very clean and straight throughout. Recent service including new wheels and tires, new water pump, and more. Runs and drives great. The last of the muscle Novas, ready to rock!

Chevy’s Nova came along at a time when compacts were gaining traction in the early ‘60s, but for the 1969 redesign, it got a little bigger. Big enough, in fact, to handle any of GM’s V8 engines. As a result, the relatively lightweight Nova became a serious player on the streets and like the Duster/Demon twins over at Mopar, less weight meant more speed and it was a winning formula. In 1971, this nasty black Nova SS 2-door sedan was one of the quickest cars you could buy, packing a 270 horsepower small block, a 4-speed, and, remarkably, a 12-bolt rear end—you can’t say GM didn’t expect buyers to use them as intended! This is a real code 14 V8 car and it’s dressed in correct code 19 Tuxedo Black, as original. The angular good looks of the Nova wear it well, and there are muscle car cues all over, from the SS emblems to the faux hood vents to the bulging quarters that make the car look fast even sitting still. Benefitting from a restoration perhaps 10 years ago, it remains in excellent condition throughout and we can see no evidence that this car was wrecked or rusted—that bodywork is laser straight. Doors and hood fit quite well and with the white pinstripe, it has just enough contrast to look dressed up without being too flashy. There’s nice brightwork, too, including bumpers, grille surround, and the ‘350’ badges on the front fenders do a little advertising on the street.

The code 719 black vinyl interior appears to be largely original and in fantastic shape. Real racers know a bench seat is the hot ticket, so that’s what you’ll find here. No frills but it gets the job done when you’re prowling the streets looking for a fight. The door panels are in excellent shape and we’re fairly certain the carpets have been replaced—they’re just too nice to be 50+ years old. There’s a correct SS steering wheel framing the instrument panel, which covers only the basics of speed and fuel level, so an accessory tach and oil pressure gauge were added to keep a better eye on the engine. The radio does a pretty good impersonation of the original AM unit, but it’s an AM/FM/iPod piece that works a lot better, although the original radio is included if you’d like to put it back to stock. Everything works, including the clock, which ticks away reliably in the dash. We love the look of the 4-speed shifter just sticking out of the transmission tunnel like that, and it has a Hurst linkage for improved shifts. The back seat looks almost completely unused and the original headliner is in great shape, more evidence that this car has led a good life. The trunk is beautifully finished with correct spatter-finish paint, a vinyl mat, and what just might be the original spare tire and jack assembly.

The strongest motor you could get in a 1971 Nova was a 270 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8, which is what you’ll find under the hood here. It has been finished to look very much as it would have in 1971. Chevy Orange paint, a correct air cleaner, and reproduction decals all help with the factory-style presentation. We believe it was rebuilt when the car was restored a few years ago and it runs extremely well, with good low-end torque, easy starting, and remarkably docile road manners. There’s a 4-barrel carburetor on top and long-tube headers that help with the torque curve, but it’s definitely not radical or difficult to live with. Thanks to power steering and power brakes, anyone can handle this one on the street, and there’s a new water pump up front to help keep things cool. The 4-speed manual gearbox snaps through the gears with authority, and like all Nova SS models, it has a rugged 12-bolt out back full of 3.08 gears, so it’s a relaxed cruiser on the highway. The floors and rockers are excellent and show no signs of rot or patching and the torque boxes are excellent, so it hasn’t been raced or abused. A newer dual exhaust system with X-pipe sounds awesome and it sits on brand new Cragar mags with staggered 215/70/15 front and 255/70/15 rear radials.

Extras include an owner’s manual, some restoration receipts, and the original AM radio.

We know the guys who love Novas really love them. This car gets a lot of things right—great colors, a 4-speed, and a clean history with no issues. Someone has invested a considerable amount of cash into the restoration to make it look and drive as good as it does. Now it’s time for someone else to have some fun. Give us a call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.