In this article
A customer with one wish
A customer was looking for exactly this model: a 1973 Chevrolet Nova, as a two-door coupe and with a V8. No other version, no other year. I get requests like that more often, and to be honest, they make me happy.
I don’t only buy Harleys in America. Over the years I’ve built up a large network of dealers and collectors I speak to regularly. When someone is looking for something specific, I go through that network. This time it paid off: the Nova was in New Jersey.
Picked up in New Jersey
I picked it up a few weeks ago. It’s a dark grey coupe on polished wheels, and a car with character.
To be fair: this is not a showroom car. The paint and bumpers show here and there that it’s over fifty years old. But it really drives very nicely. And with a classic you want to drive, that’s what matters most.
As with every motorcycle and car I buy, I filmed it. In the video you see it up close and hear the V8.
From Chevy II to Nova: a short history
In 1962 Chevrolet launched the Chevy II: a compact car, smaller than the big Chevrolets of the time and meant as a simple, affordable family car. Nova was the name of the more luxurious version. That name caught on so well that it was later used for the whole model line.
As early as 1963 there was a Super Sport version, the Nova SS. That gave the modest compact a sporty image as well.
In 1968 the third generation appeared: a completely new body that shared technology with the Camaro. That generation ran up to and including 1974. So our 1973 Nova belongs to it. These years in particular are popular with fans: a clean, simple line and enough room under the bonnet for a V8.
What makes 1973 special
For 1973 the Nova was changed considerably, mainly because of new American rules:
- Bigger bumpers: new rules required bumpers that could absorb a low-speed impact. That made the car a little longer.
- Larger rear side windows and a revised front and rear.
- A hatchback for the first time: besides the sedan and the coupe you could buy a two-door hatchback.
- SS as a package: the Nova SS was no longer a separate model but an option package you could order on any Nova.
- A successful year: about 370,000 Novas were built in 1973, more than the year before.
The 307 Turbo-Fire V8: why 'only' 115 hp?
Under the bonnet of this Nova is the 307 cubic inch (5.0 litre) Turbo-Fire V8 with a two-barrel carburettor. On paper it produces 115 hp. That sounds low for a five-litre V8, and there’s a reason for it.
From 1972 American manufacturers quoted power as net power, measured with all accessories and the exhaust fitted. Before that the gross power on the test bench was quoted, which came out much higher. Add to that the new emissions requirements. The result: lower figures, while the engine itself didn’t change much.
What this V8 is about is the torque and the sound. The 307 is a small-block Chevy: simple, reliable and parts are available everywhere. Anyone wanting more power has plenty of options.
| Model | Chevrolet Nova, two-door coupe |
|---|---|
| Year | 1973 (third generation, 1968-1974) |
| Engine | 307 ci (5.0 l) Turbo-Fire V8 |
| Carburettor | Two-barrel |
| Power | 115 hp (net) |
| Colour | Dark grey |
Importing a classic from America
Is a car 30 years or older and still in original condition? Then on import into the EU it can be declared as a collector’s item: 0% import duty and a reduced VAT rate (9% in the Netherlands, 7% in Germany) instead of the normal rates. Customs assesses this per vehicle. How it works is explained in importing a classic from the USA.
Many European countries also have lower road tax or a classic plate for older cars, for example no road tax in the Netherlands for cars 40 years and older. Always check the current rules in your country.
After arrival the car still has to be inspected and registered. In the Netherlands I work with people who can arrange the inspection and registration. Feel free to ask for an all-in calculation for the car you’re looking for.
Looking for a specific classic too?
This Nova shows how it works: you tell me which model, which year and which budget, and I search through my network of dealers and collectors in America. If I find something, I look at the car myself, film it and you hear honestly what condition it’s in, including the weak points.
Already found a car or motorcycle in America yourself? Then I can also pick it up and ship it for you. See pickup and shipping. That’s how we recently also picked up a 1968 Ford Mustang in Philadelphia.