Sebring Orange over black leather with blacked-out bumpers is restrained for a car making over 800 horsepower. Bidding on Bring a Trailer has reached $51,000 with three days left, offered on consignment by a dealer who says the file runs to 160 pages of receipts.
Bring a Trailer
What it’s worth right now
Market data from Classic.com puts the average Chevy II Nova sale at $54,650, with a first-generation high of $170,500 for a 1962 convertible. Retail asks for 1963 pro-touring builds start near $34,680, and a 577-horsepower 1963 Nova SS is advertised at $49,500.
Two commenters supplied sharper comps. One noted a comparable gray first-generation build sold on this platform recently for $50,000, and another argued the 1962 to 1965 cars trade close to $20,000 below equivalent 1966 to 1967 examples. Fair value lands at $70,000 to $90,000, with $78,000 the most likely close.
Bring a Trailer
Condition and details
Build quality is where this one separates itself. Metal work covered the trunk floor, firewall, fenders, quarters, and floor pans, with Detroit Speed mini-tubs for the rear tires, and the seller has posted photographs of the new metal throughout the floors, trunk, and roof.
Bring a Trailer
One question came up on the paint. A commenter observed what looked like a color difference between the front end and the rest of the car in some photographs, and the seller responded that the variation comes from light angle, posting further images from the owner. That is worth verifying in person.
Bring a Trailer
The specification list is unusually complete. Billet steel main caps, a forged crankshaft, Mahle supercharger pistons, CNC-ported LS3 heads, and a Holley ECU appear on the build sheet, alongside a Wavetrac differential, Strange axles, and Vintage Air climate control. The body tag decodes to an Ermine White Powerglide car with a blue bench-seat interior.
Bring a Trailer
The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Chevy II Nova SS Sport Coupe |
| Year | 1963 |
| Mileage | 1,600 miles shown on the build, total unknown |
| Engine | Supercharged 376ci LSA V8 built by Wegner Automotive |
| Power | 809 horsepower and 748 lb-ft on a dynamometer |
| Transmission | 4L80E four-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Sebring Orange Metallic Tintcoat |
| Interior color | Black leather |
| Current bid | $51,000 |
Interested in this Chevrolet Chevy II Nova? View the listing here.
What makes the Chevy II unique
Chevrolet needed a conventional compact after the rear-engined Corvair confused buyers, and the Chevy II arrived for 1962 as the answer. The Super Sport joined for 1963 on the Nova 400 series, and a light body with a big engine bay made it a natural target for V8 swaps.
Bring a Trailer
That simplicity is why builders still start here. The shoebox proportions hide modern running gear well, subframe kits are off-the-shelf, and nothing in the shape announces what sits underneath. The tradeoff is that 1966 and later cars carry more market recognition, which caps what even an exceptional early build brings.
My take
Fair value sits at $70,000 to $90,000, with $78,000 the most likely result, and the crux is that build cost and market value are unlikely to meet. Everything points to a serious car, from an 809-horsepower dyno sheet and a name-brand engine builder to documented metal work. Early Novas trade below the later body style, and modifications on this scale narrow the buyer pool and rarely recoup their cost. Verify the paint in person, and $78,000 is fair money.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog