Powered 1963 Chevrolet Nova SS

This 1963 Chevrolet Nova SS is a 2-door example that is powered by a 383ci stroker V8 paired with a TH350 automatic transmission. Supporting modifications include a 4-wheel disc brake conversion, Calvert traction bars, tubular control arms, an 8.5” GM 10-bolt Positraction rear end, 3000-rpm stall converter, aluminum radiator, custom rally wheels, and more. Bodywork has been refinished in white over a replacement black interior with low-back bucket seats and replacement gauges. The car has been with the seller for 12 years and 9500 miles, and was reportedly last taken down a drag strip in 2008. It is sold with partial receipts dating to 2001 and a clean Oklahoma title in the seller’s name.

Sheet metal was refinished in white by the seller shortly after his purchase in 2006, with the resulting finish described as average. Fender peak moldings were removed and trim holes were filled with lead prior to the paintwork. Blemishes are documented in the gallery below. Custom rally wheels were sourced from Early Wheel and are equipped with Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires, with the rears at 25% per the seller.

The factory steel hood has a welded-on cowl fitted and is finished in contrasting gloss black. A master kill switch is located in the rear bumper and the battery box was relocated to the trunk. The car last passed a tech inspection at Tucson Dragway in April 2008.

Several photos of the seller’s repaint process have been provided.

The body tag shows an “X” accessory code at the bottom left, designating this example as a factory SS according to the seller.

The car was reassembled after the 2006 paintwork with a new interior from Classic Industries including fresh seat covers, carpeting, door panels, and headliner. Interior items specific to the SS include bucket seats and horizontal dash trim. The headliner is shown to be sagging toward the rear of the cabin.

A gauge cluster was sourced from a vintage drag car and repurposed to fit. The speedometer is said to read high, while redundant oil pressure and voltage gauges below the dash are currently unused. Other modifications include a radio blanking plate and a B&M Megashifter. The odometer shows 8,500 miles but was reportedly zeroed in 2006, leaving true mileage unknown.

The 383ci stroker V8 was reportedly built from a 2-bolt main 350ci block by a previous owner and was pulled early in the seller’s ownership to be hot-tanked, inspected, and receive a new camshaft, bearings, lifters, and gaskets. Details of the powerplant include:

• Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinder heads
• 12-250-3 camshaft and Pro Magnum roller rockers from Comp Cams
• GM HEI ignition with MSD wires
• Holley Street Avenger 770 carburetor on Edelbrock aluminum intake
• Full-length exhaust headers
• Three-row aluminum radiator with Flex-a-Lite fan
• High-torque mini starter

The engine is said to run hot in traffic or when sitting at idle for long periods, and the seller describes a small oil drip whose source is yet to be located.

The TH350 transmission is fitted with a 3000-rpm stall converter and a shift kit and sends power to the rear wheels through a 8.5” GM 10-bolt Positraction rear end, which is said to leak slightly. Additional upgrades include a 4-wheel disc brake conversion with an adjustable proportioning valve, tubular upper and lower control arms, Calvert CalTracs traction bars, and bolt-on subframe connectors.