One of my favorite hobbies is automotive archaeology – otherwise known as “car”-chaeology. This process involves piecing together the story about a vehicle’s past. Investigative efforts are greatly helped when a car comes with documentation, as shown in today’s feature vehicle.
The Pick of the Day is 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Claremore, Oklahoma. (Click the link to view the listing).
The documentation shown with the listing is extensive, including service records, registration information, purchase paperwork, an owner’s manual, a Protect-O-Plate, and a window sticker. The seller can trace the car’s story back to new:
“Car was bought new in 1966 by Bertie Huffman from Bob Parker Chevrolet in Cleveland, Oklahoma,” the listing states. “Bertie was 69 years old at the time. My father bought it in 1985. I’ve been the caretaker since 1987 when father passed unexpectedly.”
The compact Chevy II model rolled on the General Motors X-body platform and was introduced in 1962 with many body styles available. A second generation launched in 1966 with revised features including a semi-fastback roofline, vertical taillights, and squared-up overall aesthetics. This Cameo Beige hardtop from 1966 looks to be well-preserved, sporting a set of Rally wheels on BFGoodrich tires. Power under the hood comes from a 283cid V8 connected to a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission. Moving to the inside, we see a stock-looking cabin with an under-dash air conditioning unit, auxiliary gauges, and a radio.
Documentation-wise, the included (but weathered) window sticker tells us more about this build. The car was assembled in Ypsilanti, Michigan and came with a base price of $2,360. On top of that, it was optioned with tinted glass, wire wheel covers, lap belts, a radio, air conditioning, white sidewall tires, a Powerglide transmission, and Fawn cloth seating. All-in, the car retailed at $3,117 including destination.
One of my favorite artifacts accompanying the car is a handwritten note from September 29, 1981, with mileage noted as 66,522 showing that the car received an oil change, a new air filter, STP fuel treatment, and a suspension lube on that day. Along with images of the paperwork, the listing includes pictures of the rust-free underside. A short walkaround video of the vehicle at idle demonstrates the melodic burble of the exhaust.
I think that Bertie (the original owner) – along with the seller’s father – would be proud to know that their old Nova retains some of its original documentation, and I hope that whoever buys this car keeps all that valuable history. The asking price is $45,000 for this sport coupe.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com