489ci V8 Stroker/Aluminum Heads/New Updated Interior/Pristine Exterior

1968 Chevrolet Nova

After losing some compact car market share in previous years to Ford, in 1960 Chevrolet went to the drawing board. They had visions of quickly producing a compact car for the masses that would be both economical and desirable. By 1962, the first Chevy II Nova rolled off the production line.

For consignment, a nice nugget of Chevrolet history if you will, in a 1968 version of the Nova. Consigner states its original sheet metal with no work having to be done to remediate any rust. Sporting a powerful 489ci V8, and a gaggle of other upgrades mechanically and visually, we could call this car the Orange Crusher.

Exterior
One of my personal favorite years for the Nova model it has the overall look of a muscle car but in very tasteful form. Paint is very nice, with only minor orange peel evident on the rear quarter panels. Chrome and trim is looking smart and shiny with no rust or dulling. From the single headlight horizontal banded front grille and bumper below to the window surround in front, side view mirrors and gracefully sloping rear glass as it melts into the trunk deck, its original in its presentation. Simple badging and well minded gaps, along with 15-inch polished aluminum cast wheels wrapped in black wall rubber, let's hop inside and chew up some Fords.

Interior
A swing of the doors reveals original door panels with the only change here is an orange accent stripe on the armrest. Moving inside it is quite the contrary with the original dash and speedo, but the buck stops there and several additions are now inside. These include a steering column mounted Super Tach II, and now in lieu of the radio a trio of volt, water and oil gauges. Just below this panel are some transparent toggles for the fan, pump and heater. Orange painted metal boxes with black padded vinyl for the remainder of the dash. A rally steering wheel fronts this updated dash. Seats are now like new high back buckets with oversize bolsters to keep you planted when taking some liberties with the accelerator and tight turns. Black vinyl is looking good for these chairs. In the back a simple smooth black vinyl bench is now in for some weight loss. Clean black carpeting with Nova stitched badged floor mats are under all this, and a somewhat loose headliner is above. Noted is a TCI shifter on the hump.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in a wonderfully restored and simplified bay is plopped a 489ci V8 stroker. Our consigner states it has a .030 overbore, hydraulic roller cam and roller rockers. Aluminum aftermarket heads are on, along with a 4-barrel Holley carb on top. On the back is strapped a 10-inch 2800rpm stall converter attached to a TH400 form, and it's a 3-speed automatic version. The rear axle weighs in at 12- bolt 3.73 posi. Headers and a Flowmaster exhaust are now on. This engine is a wonderful machined metal presentation.

Undercarriage
All rust free with some newly painted suspension parts showing as Caltrac bars and leaf springs for the rear traction, and independent coil sprung suspension with Viking double adjustable shocks in front. Power disk brakes are in front and power drums for the rear.

Drive-Ability
This orange crusher started right up, and handled our test track well with nice acceleration, good sturdy handling, and solid bias free brakes. Note the horn does not blow and the heater fan is inoperable.

Some extra muscle for this Nova now with a newly updated interior, monster cubes under the hood, and some snappy suspension for extra grip on the ground, orange you glad I introduced you to this wow factor car?

VIN DECODE
113278W253299
1-Chevrolet
13-Nova 6 Cylinder
27-2 Door Sedan
8-1968
W-Willow Run, MI Assy Plant
253299-Sequential Unit Number