Novas

[69hurstSC]

Being i have very limited knowledge on 68-70 Novas i thought i would ask some questions here. Yesterday my GF and I rented a timeshare from a couple here in MN that we found on an add online. When i got there we started chatting about cars (weird huh LOL) and after a while i was looking at his 74 Z28 Camaro and 63 409 Impala. We then proceeded to go downstairs and talk more cars and have a couple brews.
Onto the Novas... He told me about a couple Nova's he had in the very early 70's. 1st was a 68 L78 Nova, 4spd with 4.56's. He stated that this Nova came for the factory with 4.56's, any truth to this? Car was green with a black vinyl roof and black guts. 2nd car was a 69 L78 Nova which we didnt get into much because the 68 interested me so much.

The prior owner had installed a tri-power off a Vette on the Nova and headers. Both of these cars were in the Maple Grove, MN area back in late 1970-1974. He bought the Z brand new and had only 1 garage stall so the 68 L78 had to go. Like I said my knowledge is limited so if you know something about 68's and i misspoke please clear up.

[Schonyenko2]

68 novas could be ordered with a 4.56 BW coded rear. Any idea where the novas went?

[JRSully]

My 69 L78 Nova has a factory installed BW 4:56 rear, supposedly had to be copo'd to get that ratio.? Don' know for sure

[69hurstSC]

Ken, from was told a young fellow bought the 68 L78 and it stayed rather local (Twin Cities) area. Not sure on the 69 L78 but i will get further details. A funny story about the 68:
The owner was letting his wife use it as a commuter car too and from work. This is when it had all the goodies (tri-power, gears). One day she was coming home at night and another Nova pulled up next to her. The other Nova revved up and she graciously accepted the challenge. According to her story they both left the light and the other Nova got a descent lead because the 68 was burning them pretty good. Eventually she got some grip at the top of 2nd and once she hit third she held it there. Apparantly the lead disappeared rather fast and she forgot to shift into 4th. Either way once she blew by the other Nova she lifted and the end result was a broken rocker arm....but a win!
I will get some more info on theres 2 L78's because I have now booked a vacation with them.
Wes

[69hurstSC]

Fresh off the phone with the fellow who owned both these 68,69 L78's.

1st the 68. Bought in 1972 with 13K miles from a guy who lived in New Hope/Crystal. Didnt know the colors name but said it was green almost silver in color. The prior owner was a mechanic at Sears who added the tri power, headers, warner gauges... The mechanic bought this car new at Merit Chevrolet. Door was dinged and the owner had it re sprayed and it didnt match so he had the whole car resprayed. Car was sold in 73 to a kid who lived in Elk River. Mileage at time of sale was 33K, sold for $1,500

The 69. Bought out of St. Paul, MN in 1971. Black paint, Black interior, buckets, 4spd.

This guy also owned a bunch of other cars including a 65 Chevelle 327/350 L79. 300 deluxe sedan. Owned it from 66-67, dark green, 4spd, bench, rubber mats, lgt brown interior. Ran 13.2's in 66.

Also owned another 68 Nova 327/325hp bench.
Bought new, 67 Camaro SS 350

Hope the info on the L78's is helpfull. I can ask any additional questions as well.

[jasonL78]

The color sounds like Sequoia green. When you get around to it can you ask if it had gold or black interior? Disk brakes? Maybe even a vinyl top.

Jason

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Didnt know the colors name but said it was green almost silver in color.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like Seafrost Green. My '68 Chevelle was that color. Looked silver 'til you parked next to a Cortez car; then she looked like a pea.

My buddy ordered a similar car in Sequoia Green. It's closer to the '70 Shadow Gray. (Like Jason's above.)

[69hurstSC]

Small update. The 68 Nova SS was bought by a 17 year old kid who was going to Elk River High School in 1973.

Also, when my friend bought the L79 Chevelle he had the opportunity to buy a Z16 at that time. However, his budget was more in the $2,500 range as opposed to the 4K sticker price on the Z16.

[69hurstSC]

Long awaited update. Inserted are some pics of the cars!

[69hurstSC]

A bit of more news. The 68 was bought new out of Merit Chevrolet and the guy was working at Sears in Brookdale when he installed the tri-power.