He Rescued This Chevy Nova From a New Jersey Garage — Now Someone Needs to Rescue It From His Yard
A Chevrolet Nova that’s been parked for years. Chances are, you’ve heard this story more than once. For some reason, these cars seem destined to spend decades tucked away in garages, waiting for someone to bring them back to life.
This particular 1970 Nova already caught a break once. According to the current owner, it had been sitting in a garage in New Jersey for many years before he bought it.
So why is it back online now? Simple — it needs saving all over again.
The year 1970 wasn’t exactly kind to General Motors. Muscle cars like the GTO started losing steam as insurance rates climbed and new regulations pushed buyers toward smaller, more efficient engines. At the same time, Chevrolet was dealing with a 65-day strike that seriously disrupted Camaro production.
As a result, Chevy slipped to second place in U.S. sales, delivering just 978,600 vehicles. Ford took the top spot for the first time since 1958, back when the Impala helped Chevrolet dominate the market.
The Nova played a major role that year, accounting for more than 315,000 units sold. With the Corvair discontinued, the Nova became Chevrolet’s entry-level model and most affordable option. As buyers shifted away from big engines, the Nova fit perfectly into the changing landscape.
Most customers opted for the inline-six, and it’s easy to see why. The 250ci engine made just 155 horsepower and suited drivers who valued practicality over performance. Those craving more power could upgrade to a 307ci V8 rated at 200 horsepower.
The Nova SS was still on the menu, offering several performance packages. The L34 came with a 396ci V8 producing 350 horsepower, while the L78 pushed output to 375.
This car does have a V8, but details are scarce. The seller simply describes it as “a great running V8,” and that’s about all we know. Displacement hasn’t been disclosed, and for anyone considering a full restoration, there’s an even bigger question mark: it’s unclear whether this is the original engine.
Power goes through a Powerglide automatic transmission, and based on appearances, the drivetrain is functional enough to move the car around. Still, serious buyers should contact the seller directly — there are too many unanswered questions to ignore.
For a project car, the Nova is in surprisingly decent condition. Despite spending years in a New Jersey garage, it remains fairly solid. There’s rust on the left front floor pan, but the trunk appears clean. The interior is filled with loose parts, so if something looks missing, chances are it’s somewhere inside.
The owner also says he’s already picked up several replacement items, including new black door panels, seat upholstery, and a headliner.
Back in 1970, buyers could load up a Nova with options. Air conditioning was popular, along with tinted glass, vinyl roofs, dual exhausts, and pushbutton radios. For an extra $98, coupe buyers could even add exterior luxury trim. Rally wheels were available too, as well as wire wheel covers.
Personally, I see this Nova as a solid candidate for a future daily driver. It’s not an SS and doesn’t feature any rare options, so it’s unlikely to become a high-dollar collectible. Still, it’s in respectable shape and deserves another chance on the road.
From the photos, it appears the car has never been restored — though it’s hard to say if the paint is original. These are the kinds of details worth investigating, since an untouched Nova could also make a nice show car with the right work.
That brings us to the asking price. Without clear answers about originality and completeness, it’s tough to pin down true value. The seller is asking $9,500 and recommends an in-person inspection before making any offers. That number might be reasonable if the car is largely original and as solid as it looks, but it could also scare buyers away if the engine has been swapped and key parts are missing.
The car is located in Northwood, and trailering it home would probably be the smart move. It’s been sitting for far too long to trust a long drive, though you should still be able to take it for a short test run during your visit.
If any readers are interested in this Nova, you can find the listing on Craigslist.