1973 CHEVROLET NOVA worth the purchase?

Question

its 2,800 need new paint and iinterior guy says he gave complete retoration/6 CYL, 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC. NEW ELECTRICAL WIRING EXT. LIGHTS, NEW TIRES, NEW BRAKE JOB. INTERIOR RESTORATION READY, POWER STEERING, BUCKET SEATS, CUSTOM STEREO READY with 26,000 miles on a new engine. me and mom wanna fix up a old car and i know this would look grat when were finnesed but is it worth the purchase?

Answer 1

sounds like alot has been done to it already i think it wood be worth it

Answer 2

1973 Chevrolet Nova

Answer 3

'73 is not a real popular model of the Nova, but it may be worth it. If you can get a photo of it and send it to me I'll be able to tell you more. I think I can be emailed on here. For what it's worth...a 73 Nova with a 6 cyl isn't a bad buy...and the price isn't that far out of reach...but remember it's a 6 cyl so if you are wanting to put a different engine such as a 350 in it...you will have to do some suspension work as well.. I think just off hand with out seeing it I'd offer somewhere in the area of $1500 and go from there.

Answer 4

$2800 would be great if it had a small block in it. Not that you couldn't put on in easily enough. Different engine mounts, suspension should be OK, make sure the transmission bellhousing is the same, or that can be changed easily enough too. The key here is as mentioned by another poster, get it on a lift and check it over really closely for hidden rust. Be wary if it is heavily undercoated by black tar like stuff. Sure that inhibits rust, but it also hides it. Finding out the car is in bad shape when the spring comes through the trunk is not a good thing. Your vision of this car is not likely the same as mine anyway since you are looking for 50mpg. I measure my cars in 1/4 mile times, not gas mileage. New tires are only good if they are the tires you want for the car (speed rating, size, style, etc). Check out the electronics carefully to make sure everything works. New wiring sounds great unless it is installed by someone that is not 100% sure what they are doing. I'm assuming this is a two door car too because those Novas in four door configuration just aint real appealing...

Answer 5

Yes ! Wanna do something really Cool with it ? See, the Neat thing about it being a '73 is the Fact that it's totally free of Emission Control Regulations ! How would You like to get 50 + MPG, and have even more Engine Power ? See My Avatar ? It's a Photo of a Device I've Constructed that Converts Regular Pump Gasoline into Propane ! 100 Parts of Air to 1 Part of Fuel ! And it's illegal on any Vehicle in the USA from ' 96 to the Present ! But, You've got to Build it Yourself. It can be done ! Go to My "360" for More !

Answer 6

Sounds a tad STRONG for my budget. Decent paint job will set you back 2K, interior, (if you can do it yourself) will be another $500.00 and it is only a six banger. I'll bet you could buy a really nice Nova for $4,000.00 that needs no work.
PS -- a little fatherly advice -- beware of conspiracy paranoids that claim to get 50 MPG from gas. These guys have been around since the 40's, they all have developed something that all the engineers and scientists with billions of dollars in research money the world over can't seem to build. Someone always knows about someone that was offered millions for a device but refused and then killed later, blah, blah....trust me -- if Honda or Mercedes or Ford hasn't built it, it can't be done.

Answer 7

I had one with the straight six. Paid 300 for it 10 years ago. The rear upper shock mounts had rusted and the shocks came up through the trunk. Defiantly check for rust in that area. Also seems like the drivers floor pan but I can't remember. It was worth the 300 hundred i paid. Had a valve rocker nut fall off I replaced. had the Starter solenoid stick on so the starter kept cranking. The trans coolant line sprung a leak at the oil pan hold down clamp.
I traded it in eventually. I personally like the torque in the lower RPM range on the old straight sixes. The price seems pricey. Check for rust and talk him down. Check the trans fluid for a burnt smell. Remember the rest of the car (trans,wheel bearings, brakes, shocks, steering) still has 33 years of wear on it.

Answer 8

Yes, if the body is good with little or no rust. You can enjoy driving it and getting good gas mileage until you collect all the parts needed to make it a pavement burner. This way you can spend the time you need to build the engine correctly and have transportation. A Nova is a great choice since they have a large availability of restoration and speed parts.

Answer 9

It is called a rear clip. The way it is done is to cut across the windshield posts and front floorboard and weld the rear body section of a 2 door car onto the front of your car. It isn't a job for a backyard bodyman or even a professional bodyman with average skills. Don't do it. It isn't worth the cost or the risks. That car is in nice shape, I would keep it just like it is. (except you might add a door handle)

Answer 10

yea, i'd say it's worth it for your mom and you to fix up. as long as you like it then go for it. maybe you could talk the guy down a little?

and btw, CowboyBeebop's right for the most part, that thing is a scam...but since when have mercedes and ford been on the cutting edge of technology? NEVER...mercedes makes nice cars but they're somewhat unreliable...and Ford's just all out suck. I would have said GM and Honda.

Answer 11

Six and Automatic.No matter what you do it will be slow. Only if given to you could you come out ok. Buy already restored Mustangs, Chevilles, V-8 Muscle cars there owners have finished sweated over and need money fast.