Nova SS 396 sells for 250,000

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I understand they made more big block novas in 1970, than all big block A body cars from both makes, over the three year span.
 
Duster is a "better car" than 68-72 nova in almost every possible category.

With the possible exception of an available big block.
 

Back in my pre-teen and early teenage years, I used to think I wanted a 68-72 nova, and almost bought a 73 350 car.
Three of my friends had them (one had two) and one had a 73 ss.
I became intimately involved with all of them.

When I got my 73 Duster in 1992, I was literally blown away by how much better of a car it was.

Better ride
Better handling
No dog tracking
Hardtop doors vs nova sedan doors
No front subframe biscuit or rear axle center pin issues
Even a nicer interior granted the Duster was high option, but the bucket seat interior was as nice or nicer than the 71 ss buckets and 4 speed I rode in and drove before.
 
All I know is that every yahoo on FB Market Place that has such year Nova, and hears of this auction results, half rotted into the dirt, missing half it parts, all of its drive train... will list his old Nova at 10 times what even any idiot would give!!!!!

The so very few exceptional examples of a most desirable model, at the right auction at the right time, with the right couple buyers... will set records seems no matter what. We all know thaty. I love seeing such great examples of that era bring huge $, To get the recognition they deserve. (with other people's $!) I just hate the effect it makes on the bnrains of the idiots out there, that understand nothing!
 
Who puts an M-20 box behind a 396/375hp engine? :realcrazy:

Should have an M-22

Most of those 375hp novas ran right at 101 in the 1/4 off the lot. Put headers/slicks/tune up on them and they definitely picked up. 340 Dusters were a good match for them as delivered.
 
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Most of the muncie cars I have driven sucked to shift.
Including corvettes.
One exception was the 72 ss nova mentioned above.

NP 833 WAY easier, and more consistent.
 
YY1 said:
Most of the muncie cars I have driven sucked to shift.
Including corvettes.
One exception was the 72 ss nova mentioned above.

NP 833 WAY easier, and more consistent.
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Lots of GM/chevy guys that weren't rules restricted used chrysler boxes during the muscle car years
 
YY1 said:
I understand they made more big block novas in 1970, than all big block A body cars from both makes, over the three year span.
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Yeah look how many trucks Ford put big blocks in. Lets just concentrate on the F100 and F150. Tens of MILLIONS came with FE motors and 385 series engines.
 
Wicked4659 said:
I own an original 1970 Nova SS 396/375 L-78 4-spd car AND a 1973 Duster 340 with a worked 360. The Nova will take my Duster, it's a close race, but the Nova pulls harder.
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When my Nova was sold new it was $3297.70 with options to the dealership in Utah. Pretty close to its weight. I call it “Buck A Pound”. Do you recall what your SS sold for new?
 
Wicked4659 said:
I own an original 1970 Nova SS 396/375 L-78 4-spd car AND a 1973 Duster 340 with a worked 360. The Nova will take my Duster, it's a close race, but the Nova pulls harder.
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Roughly the same weight. Way better heads, 50+cubes, and a solid cam in the 96. Stock to stock, the 96 SHOULD take a 340 Duster, easily.
 
RustyRatRod said:
...and in factory tune, under powered.
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LOTS of compromises built into a 429 boss. Mopar did a far better job of detuning a race engine for a street car. (Street hemi).
One of the greatest racing days of my life. I was running a 360horse 350, in a 57 Chevy with a four speed. Just could not get the 12 second time slip I craved. 13.01 best. Finally decided to pull the mufflers off (I've always run corked up, before and since).
In the other lane was an Earl Wade tuned Boss 429. Wade was a famous Ford guy at the time. He was Dyno Don's engine builder and crew chief for a while.
I left on him, and held him off to the stripe, he went by like a freight train, AFTER the finish line. 12.96 slip.
50 years ago, I still remember.
 
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33IMP said:
LOTS of compromises built into a 429 boss. Mopar did a far better job of detuning a race engine for a street car. (Street hemi).
One of the greatest racing days of my life. I was running a 360horse 350, in a 57 Chevy with a four speed. Just could not get the 12 second time slip I craved. 13.01 best. Finally decided to pull the mufflers off (I've always run corked up, before and since).
In the other lane was an Earl Wade tuned Boss 429. Wade was a famous Ford guy at the time.
I left on him, and held him off to the stripe, he went by like a freight train, AFTER the finish line. 12.96 slip.
50 years ago, I still remember.
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You know what the biggest one was? Retarded camshaft timing. Just ridiculous.
 
33IMP said:
Roughly the same weight. Way better heads, 50+cubes, and a solid cam in the 96. Stock to stock, the 96 SHOULD take a 340 Duster, easily.
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All in the ability to hook that GM. They sucked at getting off the line.

Tested those cars ran low 14's at 101. High 12's engine in a 16 second chassis issue. The Duster would get out on them and the Nova would get the back half charge. Every GM car I had needed to be wound up tight to run back then.
 
I have to admit...I love X-bodies. They were my main jam before I got into MOPARs. I'm glad to see they got that much. That's great!

I built this 70' Nova back in 05' when I didnt have a pot to piss in. 355 Dart stroker with 2 stages of nitrous that amounted to a 400hp shot. I sprayed the absolute snot out of this thing. Lol.

She looked damn good though.

20220930_101558.jpg
 
Friend and I were just discussing this post from Lost Muscle Cars.
I said if the Nova was an L78 it would be high on my list.

FB_IMG_1764712721181.jpg
 
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