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1963 Chevy Nova Wagon Looks Blue, Restomodded With C5 Corvette LS1 V8 Engine

After the Corvair of Unsafe at Any Speed fame, Chevrolet came up with the Nova to take on the Ford Falcon. The X-body model is a popular project car these days, and the restomodding scene can’t get enough of it.
1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap 21 photos
Photo: Streetside Classics
1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap1963 Chevy Nova Wagon with C5 Corvette LS1 V8 swap
This 1963 Chevy II Nova Wagon is a testament to that, a sleek and sleek example of the breed that still features drums at the rear. Offered at $28,995 by Streetside Classics with a recently rebuilt V8, the longroof in the photo gallery features an LS1 with 5.7 liters of displacement from the C5.

Back in the day, the ‘Vette with this engine cranked out 350 horsepower (355 PS) and 365 pound-feet (495 Nm) of torque. But as the seller highlights, this is more than just a drop-in. Now featuring Holley Sniper fuel injection and a Holley aluminum intake, the small-block motor further benefits from upgraded pulleys, an aluminum radiator with electric fans, MSD ignition, and a 700R4 four-speed automatic rebuilt at the same time as the engine.

Upgrades over the donor vehicle’s original specification also include the C5 Corvette-style adjustable front suspension, disc brakes for the front axle, and a rack-and-pinion power steering system. The grocery-getter Nova Wagon was never available in gray over deep blue like this fellow here, but that’s not all there is to this car’s visual identity. Take a look at the hood.

Yup, that’s a lightweight fiberglass cowl hood and it’s joined by newer door mirrors and handles. The black wheels with polished outer lips complement the paintwork and chromework rather nicely. The interior is a no-frills affair but still manages to look clean, fresh, and adequately comfortable.

Dynamat insulation underneath the carpeting, an AM/FM radio with a cassette player (!!!), air conditioning, a leather-wrapped Grant sports steering wheel, two cup holders in the center armrest, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, and controls for the air ride front suspension are some of the highlights.

So, let’s recap. A 1960s family car with rear-wheel drive, an LS V8 swap, and modern creature comforts. What’s not there to like about this restomod?
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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