As imitator online auction sites pop up all over the web hoping to catch some of the success that led to Bring a Trailer's acquisition by Hearst Autos, the new companies need to list amazing cars to capture the public's attention. AutoHunter, from the team behind ClassicCars.com, has been doing just that, first with an awesome street-legal Chevrolet Corvette racecar shortly after launch. And now, AutoHunter has listed for online auction a wild 1963 Chevrolet Nova SS that has been owned by the same family for 49 years and built up in the style of a Gasser drag-racer. Judging from the script on the hood intake, the car's nickname of "Snafu" perfectly matches the style and performance enhancements under the skin.
Some Original Parts Included
The Nova looks downright radical with its aggressive ride height—shots from the side clearly reveal the leaf springs out back and side exhaust. The rear suspension also employs Slapper Traction bars, to better help those Pro Track tires wrapped on American Racing wheels lay power down to the ground.
Corvette Power Under The Hood
The car is motivated by a Corvette-sourced 327ci small-block V8 that's been bored and built with pistons from TRW, rebuilt Dart heads, a Weiand aluminum intake, and a Holley Double Pumper carburetor. MSD ignition, ceramic-coated headers, and a Griffin aluminum radiator round out the goodies. The setup routes power to the rear through a Turbo 350 automatic with manual shift, a 3,500-RPM stall converter, and a Positraction rear end equipped with 4.10 gearing.
Purpose-Built With No Excess
The interior looks largely stock—that is to say, blander than bland—other than the steering wheel and shifter unit. Check out the auxiliary tachometer and fuel pressure gauges visible through the windshield and mounted on the cowl. They're just one little tidbit on the outside, other than the intake scoop on the hood, that further enhances the impression that this Nova was purpose-built for racing with nothing included in the project that wasn't necessary for all-out speed at the strip. Bidding currently sits at $15,000 with two days remaining until the final gavel.
Sources: autohunter.com and bringatrailer.com.