I got here from the Chevelles.com site...

I've had my heart set on a Chevelle...but the opportunity has come where I may be able to get a 70 Nova on the cheapie-cheap

One question...the guy said it was an SS...I know how to tell a Chevelle SS from a Malibu...what about an SS Nova from a non-SS? What should pop out at me?

I go look at it tomorrow...

Thanks----------->NICK

Welcome to the site. Documentation is the best for determining if the car is a true SS for 1970. If the engine vin matches the car vin and it codes up as the 396 or the Hi po 350 only available in the SS then you have a pretty good indicator also. Font disc brakes were standard on the SS, but could also be ordered on the side for other cars. Rear sway bar is an indicator also but this can be swapped from vehicles as well as a 12 bolt rear. For the 1970 Nova the only way to be 99% sure is paper work. The correct engine with the proper codes would put you around 95% sure. The rest of the options could be put on later by simply bolting or a spot weld or two in the case of the rear sway bar. Also COPO cars throw a big wrench into the true SS determination also. I have seen one 69 Nova at a car show with paper work, a BBC 396 numbers matching, front power disc brakes, rear sway bar, and a 12 bolt rear, but no SS emblems any where and that was becouse it was not an SS according to the paper work. All the options were listed on the build sheet, but it was a COPO order. That tends to throw a big monkey wrench in the true SS or not. Granted a COPO with these options would probably be more valueable than a true SS car in my opinion. It is getting really difficult to prove any Nova is a True SS due to clones and the technology now available. Engine Pads can be restamped and paperwork can even be made if you look hard enough. (That is why I say paper work is not a 100% guarantee, but is probably the best going.) The big thing to look for in my opinion is over all how much is out of place? If the car has bucket seats and a center console, but the heater diffuser is incorrect then the odds are the car has been heavily tampered with. A bright shiny grille with an SS emblem attached to it is something that would set a bell or whistle off also as the SS grille is supposed to be blacked out in the center and bright only around the edges. To my knowledge only 72 Novas can be quickly determined to be a true SS due to the "K" in the vin. Odds are if you can not prove it when you buy it you will not be able to if you sell it!

Welcome Nick. I have written about this once or twice so you can either search all of my threads or search by subject to find stuff.

Big Dave

thanks alot.

it was a nice car...needs a little work, but that's what I wanted...I'm going to drive it tomorrow....the battery was dead :p

HEY Alabama
I live in Decatur where do you live?
Did you get the Nova?
later
:yes: