Photo: eBay seller ninetoesjoe
The 1965 model was not the best for the Nova series, as sales continued to decline after a notable decline in 1964.
Chevrolet sold over 326,000 Novas in its first year on the market, followed by a substantial increase to 372,000 units a year later, largely due to the introduction of the Super Sport. The 1964 model year saw a sharp decline to 191,000 units, and 1965 continued to decline with only about 122,000 units leaving the factory.
The station wagon was also hit by the slump: only 21,500 customers ordered this body version, the least popular.
A 1965 Chevrolet Nova Station Wagon arrived on eBay this week, and while its body style isn’t to everyone’s taste, it still looks like a great candidate for a full restoration or custom build.
eBay seller ninetoesjoe says he found this Nova in a barn where it was parked by its second owner in 1983. The wagon has sat idle since then, but despite its long slumber, it’s not a wreck. It doesn’t show the typical signs of rust, although you’ll find that damage on the driver’s side, and the owner says the Nova is 90 percent clean.
The photo gallery accurately highlights its condition, confirming that the glass is in good condition, except for the crack in the windshield.
The engine under the hood is not good news. First of all, it's a six-cylinder unit, but that's hardly surprising considering it's a Nova. However, given that many people installed their own V8s after getting a Nova, seeing a 1965 wagon with the original 230ci unit in place leaves the door open for a factory-spec restoration. I doubt many people will keep the six, especially if their plan is a custom build.
The owner says the engine no longer starts, but it runs and shows no signs of seizing. A good mechanic should inspect it and decide if it deserves an overhaul, but again, a six-cylinder unit only makes sense in a Nova wagon if your goal is to restore the car to factory specs. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission, but its condition is unknown.
A Nova wagon isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but an example in this shape is rare, as most early releases typically have severe frame rust. This is its main selling point, and the owner hopes it will eventually help someone pay $7,000 for their car. That’s pretty optimistic, but they’ve also enabled a Make Offer button, so someone interested in the car can start the negotiations by submitting their offer online. The wagon is sitting in Fresco and will require transportation, given the non-running engine.