This week, we’re highlighting a 1963 Chevy II Nova 400 hardtop. 1963 was the first year for the factory-installed 283 cubic inch V8, but this car was originally powered by a straight six as most Chevy IIs were. With a healthy small block under the hood, the Chevy II is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

From the auction description:

This 1963 Chevy II Nova 400 has been under the same ownership for 30 years and underwent a restoration and repaint in the factory Cordovan Brown some nine years ago. It has a 355 cubic inch small block with Edelbrock RPM cylinder heads and an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold topped by a Holley Brawler four-barrel carburetor. The engine also has an MSD ignition. The engine is connected to a GM 700-R4 four-speed automatic. A Positraction rear end has also been fitted.

The Nova has power steering and power front disc brakes, and has been updated from four-lug The suspension system is said to be largely original other than the rear air shock absorbers that were installed nine years ago. 

The seller says body blemishes are limited to one ding on the molding atop one fender peak. The car has the Super Sport trim, which in 1963 consisted of finned wheel covers, wider side moldings, aluminized rear panels, and SS badging. Rust repairs have been made above both headlamps and behind the rear bumper, but the car is said to be otherwise rust-free and has its factory floor and trunk pans. All the exterior trim is present and looks to be in good condition.

The Nova 400 has its original rear seat and coverings. The front buckets are covered in vinyl that have no rips or signs of excessive wear. The carpet is described as being in good condition, with no visible holes or other indications of wear. The original headliner is said to be in perfect shape, with an operable dome light. The painted dash has all its trim and small controls in place. 

AUCTION LINK

One thing Hemmings Auctions has no other auction site does is the Winner Welcome Package. If you bid on and win a Hemmings vehicle auction, you’ll also get a healthy discount from Summit Racing to get parts, car care products, tools, fluids, or anything else you’ll need when your four-wheeled baby arrives. Auction winners automatically get a Winner Welcome Package email after the auction ends with instructions on how to get the Summit Racing discount. It’s like winning twice!

Editor’s Note: If you like to buy your vehicles auction-style, you can now do that with the Hemmings Auctions service. It always has a great selection of vehicles, like. We’ll be posting stories on one of our favorite Hemmings Auctions rides each week, so keep an eye out—you might find the ride you’ve been searching for.

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Author: Alan Rebescher

Editor, author, PR man—Alan Rebescher has done it all in a 37 year career in the high performance industry. He has written and photographed many feature stories and tech articles for Summit Racing and various magazines including Hot Rod, Car Craft, and Popular Hot Rodding, and edited Summit Racing’s Street & Strip magazine in the 1990s. His garage is currently occupied by a a 1996 Mustang GT ragtop.