This one is something very special indeed – as simple as that. An icon of the American muscle car era and a genuine unmolested and completely original car. Prized both in the UK and the USA, the Nova was Chevrolet’s entry-level muscle car, based on the Nova Sports Coupé. It was hugely popular in the muscle car scene of the early Seventies and is massively sought after today, even more so after it starred as one of the main vehicles in the Fast and the Furious 9.
In addition, they don’t come with much better provenance than this example. Bought new in 1971, it remained with the same family until 2018 when it was imported to the UK. It is as original as they come, and presented in absolutely fabulous condition.
The entire history of this car is here. It was supplied new in 1971 by Jim Link Chevrolet in La Grange, Illinois, to a Loretta J Hughes of La Grange city. In the 1980s, the family moved to California and later the car was owned by Loretta’s close relatives, Charles and Mary McBride. The McBrides kept the car until they retired and sold it to a UK collector in 2018.
With the car are lots of early papers including a Nova Vin tag verifying its authenticity and copies of the former DMV registration papers from California, along with a number of invoices for repairs and maintenance carried out during Mr and Mrs McBride’s ownership.
It also has all of the import documentation and proof of duties paid, plus a few more recent invoices and a UK V5C. It is tax and MOT exempt.
The Nova is as vast inside as it is outside, with acres of passenger space front and rear and space for six – there are even three safety belts for the front bench.
The green leather seats are in superb order and the interior is oh-so Seventies, with a bold strip speedometer and a column shift transmission along with a big black vinyl dash that extends for seemingly metres…
It’s in terrific condition and all works as it should.
This is an absolute stunner from every angle – as discreet as a muscle car can get, but in a good way. Besides, discretion is relative and a car the size of a small boat is never going to disappear in British traffic. The stealthy dark metallic green paint is beautifully combined with the same color coded sports wheels, with the writing on the tyres picked out in white in true muscle car tradition.
The vendor, a classic car restore by trade, reports that the body is in superb condition with no underbody corrosion, helped no doubt by the car spending much of its life in California. As for the rest of it? We’ll let the pictures do the talking. It’s absolutely mega!
Under the bonnet the Nova has Chevy’s small block 5.0-litre V8, a venerable and proven unit that is renowned for its durability and longevity. This is a genuine low mileage example with just 80k on the clock and has been cherished all of its life. It starts on the button and sounds amazing, idling smoothly and maintaining good oil pressure.
The vendor has just given it a full oil service and reports that it is absolutely fantastic to drive.
Incredible! That’s the only way to describe this fantastic piece of American muscle, which is in fabulous condition and is achingly, seriously cool. Already collectable in the USA and across the globe, it is not only a fantastic car to enjoy both driving and showing, but a pretty well futureproof investment. A rare opportunity to own an incredible piece of Americana.
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1971 Chevrolet Nova
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