Help! Should I buy this car?

[Gavin Allan]

There is a '74 Nova 2-door, bright orange, little rust, 350 V-8, 90k miles, all stock, good condition, for sale at $2500.



I've been wanting a fun car to play with, good enough to display in the old car shows, drivable (not concourse show car)--just something fun.



I can get nearly free body and mechanical work from local vocational school that is decent (not perfect) quality.



Is this a good deal on a good car?



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[Les]

Considering your description, I would say yes. Could turn this into quite a sleeper...

 

[Wes Davis]

If you got the time and money. I would buy it, looks like alot of fun weekends. My first suggestion. Replace all door, hood, trunk and window seals. Remove doors and replace/shim hinge pins. Nothing makes an old car feel new again like nice solid closing doors and cutting out the wind noise.

 

[EddieS'04]

Not a Chevt fan but my kindof car to modify to your hearts desire. You dont have to worry about emission checks. Go for it, everyman needs a toy...

 

[gary s]

i agree with les, go for it !

i am certain that if it remains in good shape , you wont lose a penny if not make money on it.

good luck

 

[Johnny O]

For $2500, it'll never be worth less.

 

[A K]

Great ride. My grandparents had one when I was little. I distinctly remember the rear window handles that allowed you to roll down the windows. Well, I suppose that's their function--but when you're a little tyke and want to be bold, you open then after grandpa said not to.

 

[Larry Gamble]

I'd see if they will take 2,000 and go for it.

 

[Victor V01]

Looks like the "old blue hair" project on muscle car tv show on spike.

 

[Tom Schindler]

If I did not have my project car I swear I will have done this summer, I would be buying that Maverick Grabber across town. If it is a car you want, go for it.





Tom

 

[Gavin Allan]

Still thinking about it. Got lots of other things around here wanting money spent on them...



It isn't the car of my dreams, but it might be a stepping stone. I might make a lowball offer tomorrow and see what happens. i agree that it would be hard to lose money on it. These things are rare around here--the dragster folks get 'em all and make dragsters out of them.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Gavin,



It seems like a good deal and I have been watching early 70s Novas on eBay and Craigslist for a couple of years now for a similar project.



If this were an SS it would be worth more, but still, you can customize it as an SS clone.



I had a 73 Nova SS Fastback as a young lad. Most fun I ever had with a car (in more ways than one...backseat, never mind).



Anyway, things to look out for:



1) The trunk, see if the floor is rotted.



2) The rear fenders, just above the wheel wells on the lip, this is the biggest cancer spots on this style Nova. Chances are this one has been redone at least once and possibly with fiberglass fender covers.



3) Make sure the doors open a close without rubbing/hittng the bottom to check the hinges



4) Check the glass...anything cracked or dinged bad will have to be replaced.



Other than that, it's probably a solid car, that burns about 1/4 quart of oil every other fillup (that's the V8 of its time...not much you can do about it).



TJR