1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS L79
Believed-Original, Date-Correct L79 327/350 HP Matching 4-Speed and Rear Axle Original Protect-O-Plate
Highlights
Believed-Original L79 327ci V8
Date-Correct Engine Block and Castings
Factory Rated at 350 Horsepower
Engine Conservatively Represented Due to No Visible VIN Derivative
Matching-Numbers 4-Speed Manual Transmission
Matching-Numbers Rear Axle
Authentic Factory L79 Super Sport
Original Chevrolet Protect-O-Plate Included
Original Owner Protection Plan Booklet
Sold New by Chip Barwick Chevrolet " Memphis, Tennessee
Documented Original Delivery Date of April 20, 1966
Comprehensive Ground-Up Restoration
Less Than 1,000 Miles Since Restoration
Factory Regal Red Exterior
Factory Red Bucket-Seat Interior
Center Console
Correct Rally Wheels
BFGoodrich Radial T/A Tires
Factory AM Radio
Auxiliary Oil Pressure and Water Temperature Gauges
Correct L79 Configuration
No Power Steering
No Power Brakes
No Factory Air Conditioning
Collectible Motorcar of Atlanta is proud to offer one of the most desirable small-block muscle cars Chevrolet ever produced-an authentic 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS equipped with what is believed to be its original, date-correct L79 327/350-horsepower V8.
Finding a genuine factory L79 Nova has become increasingly difficult, particularly one that retains extensive original documentation and a highly authentic drivetrain. Included with this Nova is its original Chevrolet Owner Protection Plan booklet complete with the original Protect-O-Plate, documenting the car's factory identification information, original selling dealer, drivetrain information, and original delivery date.
According to the Protect-O-Plate, this Nova was sold new by Chip Barwick Chevrolet in Memphis, Tennessee, and delivered to its original owner on April 20, 1966. This documentation provides an outstanding level of provenance and helps establish the car as an authentic factory L79-equipped Nova SS.
Power comes from a date-correct L79 327-cubic-inch V8 believed to be original to the car. The engine's casting dates align with the Nova's production timeline, and it retains the proper high-performance L79 configuration. However, a partial VIN derivative is not visible on the engine identification pad. For that reason, Collectible Motorcar of Atlanta is conservatively and accurately representing the engine as believed original rather than advertising it as definitively matching numbers.
The absence of a visible VIN derivative does not, by itself, establish that the engine is a replacement. A missing stamp may result from several circumstances, including previous machine work or resurfacing of the engine pad during a rebuild, or a stamping irregularity during the original assembly process. Because the exact reason cannot be conclusively determined, the engine pad is being presented as found, with no attempt made to add or recreate a VIN stamp.
The engine's date-correct castings, proper L79 configuration, production timing, and the car's original Protect-O-Plate provide significant supporting evidence that this may be the original engine. This honest representation allows serious collectors to evaluate the evidence without the concerns that can accompany a questionable or recreated VIN stamp.
The L79 was factory rated at 350 horsepower and was one of Chevrolet's most formidable small-block combinations. Its high-compression 327 featured a high-performance hydraulic camshaft, forged rotating components, an aluminum intake manifold, and a four-barrel carburetor. Installed in the lightweight Chevy II platform, the L79 created one of the quickest and most exciting Chevrolet street cars of the era.
Backing the engine is the original matching-numbers 4-speed manual transmission and matching-numbers rear axle. Together, they provide the direct, mechanical driving experience that made L79 Novas legendary while adding substantial drivetrain authenticity to this documented example.
The car underwent a comprehensive ground-up restoration approximately ten years ago and has traveled fewer than 1,000 miles since completion. The restoration remains beautifully preserved, featuring excellent Regal Red paint, outstanding body alignment, a highly detailed undercarriage, and a clean, factory-style engine compartment.
Inside, the factory-style red bucket-seat interior remains faithful to its original appearance. Equipment includes the center console, factory AM radio, and auxiliary oil-pressure and water-temperature gauges. Correct Rally wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires complete the Nova's unmistakable muscle-car stance.
One of the defining characteristics of an L79 Nova is its simplicity. These cars were built without power steering, power brakes, or factory air conditioning, keeping weight to a minimum and placing the emphasis squarely on performance. This Nova retains that purpose-built configuration and delivers the raw driving experience that enthusiasts expected in 1966.
With its believed-original date-correct L79 engine, matching-numbers 4-speed transmission and rear axle, original Protect-O-Plate, Owner Protection Plan booklet, documented selling dealer, documented delivery date, and beautifully preserved restoration, this 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS L79 represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of Chevrolet's most collectible small-block muscle cars.
Authentic, documented L79 Novas remain among the most sought-after Chevrolet performance cars of the 1960s, and examples with this level of provenance, authenticity, and presentation are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
