autoevolution
 

Owner Traded in His Nova After 5 Months at 196 Miles, 58 Years Later, Mileage Incredible

1966 Chevy Nova 20 photos
Photo: eBay seller lostintimeyouknow
1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova1966 Chevrolet Nova
Say what you want about the 1966 Nova, but nobody can deny it was a good-looking car. I still believe that models launched after 1965 were significantly better than the original years, mainly because the Nova reached its maturity and got better engines and upgrades that Chevrolet didn't offer at first.
The introduction of the first V8 engines and the debut of the Super Sport package were upgrades that confirmed Chevrolet got the right message from customers who were already performing them at third-party shops.

The 1966 Nova in these photos is here to prove that the original model was a fantastic car. You can hardly get better than this, as the car has only 1,979 miles.

The first time I spotted this car was in early 2024 when the Nova hit the web to look for a new home. eBay seller lostintimeyouknow posted the award-winning specimen online, claiming the car is fitted with an L79 327ci engine developing 350 horsepower and paired with a four-speed transmission.

I won't comment much on the car's condition because it's perfectly highlighted in the photos shared on eBay, so let's check out its history. The first owner bought this car in May 1966 but decided to trade it in only five months later. Don Steves Chevrolet purchased the Nova with an incredible number on the clock – 196 miles.

The car was eventually purchased in November as a gift, but the Nova rarely hit the road. It was parked in the garage belonging to the owner's garage and remained in storage until the late '80s. The odometer was still incredible – 1,860 miles.

The third and fourth owners bought the Nova but used it mostly for car shows, almost never taking it out on public roads. They added only a few miles, with the fifth owner buying the car with only 1,9650 miles on the clock.

The Nova has received several tweaks along the way, including a rebuilt carburetor (the original unit is still in the car) and a fresh coat of Regal Red paint.

As I said earlier, the Nova first surfaced earlier this year, but it seems it has a hard time finding a new home. The reason is not hard to decipher, as a Nova turned museum piece can't sell cheaply. The owner hopes they can get approximately $100K for the car, and considering how long it's been sitting online, this is a fairly ambitious expectation.

However, the auction site reveals that 41 people have already added the car to their watchlists, so fingers crossed that someone submits an offer in the next 13 days before the auction ends. The car is parked in Buffalo and will require transportation to preserve the miles on the clock.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram
About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories