Cheap tires, base model, pearl white… all the markings of a sleeper.

This project Nova is a 1965 Chevy II Sedan 100 series with our favorite engine under the hood. But recently we parted ways. This beauty has now made the journey from Kentucky to Vegas.

In 1990 we found this clean 42,000 mile 65 sedan advertised in Old Cars Weekly.  It was about 3 hours North of us at the now famous Sam Pierce Chevrolet. Upon arrival we found the car was sold new in Kentucky and then sold to someone local who took it to Super Chevy Indy to sell it, Sam purchased it there.

After looking through the paperwork we found it was purchased new on Sept 26th 1964 from a remote dealership 25 miles from my house!  On the way home we had a temporary tag with the car but not on the car, a state trooper kindly came up beside me and pointed to the rear, I held up the paperwork and he waved and went on.  After he was out of sight, I took the car up to its top speed of 90 mph! I don’t remember it wanting much more than that!

Around 1995 we took out the 194 6 cylinder & three on the tree transmission. The V8 4 speed sleeper transformation had begun

We took an original 12 bolt rear-end out of our used stock and built it with 3:55 gears. Sourcing decent period correct tires took some time, but after a while a friend spotted some tires on eBay. We think they were NOS trailer tires, but they were rated for a car! The other tough to find items were the factory 65 tachometer (only 296 made), heater delete, painted locking gas cap, and hubcaps.

We rebuilt the front end, changed the coil springs & added a factory front V8 sway bar.  The first engine that was installed was an original 327-350 hp engine from a 66 L-79, later on we needed this engine for another build, but the big compression 327 sure was fun to drive!

The car as you see it now had a GM crate engine 385 Fast Burn with cam kit rated at 430 hp. Plenty to rip those cheap tires right off if you’re not careful!

After all these years and the fun we had the car now lives with its new caretaker in Vegas! 

Window Sticker

  • Red Trim
  • Ermine White
  • Engine – V8 327 – 350 Hp Hi Perf
  • Heavy Duty Radiator
  • Fan Drive Equipment
  • Dual Exhaust Equipment
  • Four Speed Transmission
  • Heavy Duty Clutch
  • Special Front & Rear Suspension
  • Rear Axle – Positraction
  • Rear Axle – 3.55 Ratio
  • Metallic Brake Facing
  • Custom Deluxe Front Seat Belts
  • Custom Deluxe Rear Seat Belts
  • Arm Rest Equipment Front
  • Closed Eng. Positive Vent Type B
  • A/c Generator – 62 Amp
  • 6.95 – 14-4 Ply Tires
  • Heavy Duty Battery
  • Tachometer Equipment
  • Less Heater Equipment
  • Less Cigarette Lighter

Photos

Original Brochure

1965 Chevy Nova 100 Series Brochure

The Chevy II 100

Good things comes as standard: foam-cushioned front seat, dome light, double sun visors, dual arm-rests, electric windshield wipers and single-key locking. Examine generous interiors: space for a full family. Big door openings and roomy trunk for added convenience. Thick rubber floor mats provide heavy insulation to help keep road noise hushed. For going thrifty, 4-cylinder Super-Thrift 153 or 6-cylinder Hi-Thrift 194 (only in Station Wagon). For going lively, 195-hp Turbo-Fire 283 V8, 155-hp Turbo-Thrift 230 6-cylinder, 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh. Sample the action in the 100 model that pleases you best: 2-Door Sedan, 4-Door Sedan, or 4-Door 6-Passenger Station Wagon.

Featuring Our Parts

National Nova Convention

In 2011 The National Nova Convention was invited to put a Nova Exhibit in the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, We were fortunate enough to put our Project 65 Sleeper in this awesome event.

Nova Reference Section

Did you know we have an entire section dedicated to Chevy II / Nova Reference material? Check out our rare listing of original Chevy II / Nova options.

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