Why This Car Is Special

The 1966 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport sits at an interesting crossroads in American automotive history. By 1966, the Chevy II Nova was entering its final year of the second-generation body style — a clean, tight platform that engineers and hot rodders alike recognized as an ideal foundation for a V8. Chevrolet agreed. That year, the Super Sport package was made available on the Nova hardtop coupe, and buyers who optioned in the 327 cubic inch V8 got a car that weighed significantly less than a full-size muscle car but carried the same small-block lineage that powered Corvettes and Chevelles.

The VIN on this car decodes as a 1966 Chevy II Nova hardtop coupe built at the Norwood, Ohio assembly plant — one of the primary production facilities for this body style during the mid-1960s. The model year designation and body style codes within the VIN confirm the two-door hardtop configuration, which is the most desirable body style among Nova collectors today because of its cleaner roofline and the fact that it was the only body style available with the full Super Sport equipment group in 1966.

What makes the 1966 Nova SS with a 327 particularly collectible is context. The 327 small-block was already a well-regarded engine in 1966, appearing in various states of tune across Chevrolet's lineup. In the Nova, which tipped the scales well under 3,000 pounds in stock form, the combination produced a genuinely quick car by any standard of the era. The Nova SS was not just a trim package — it brought specific interior and exterior appointments that separated it from a base Chevy II, and when paired with a four-speed manual and the 327, it represented the performance-oriented configuration that serious buyers ordered.

This example has been built and presented as a driver-quality Super Sport with a number of well-chosen upgrades alongside preserved factory-correct details. It is the kind of car that gets used, gets admired, and holds its value because the foundation — body, interior structure, and drivetrain combination — is exactly right.

Features

• 327ci V8 Engine
• 4-Speed Manual Transmission
• Super Sport Package
• 327 V8 Badge On Body
• Flowmaster Dual Exhaust
• REV Classic Polished Wheels
• Wood-Grain SS Steering Wheel
• Center Console with SS Emblem
• Updated Digital Gauge Cluster
• Vinyl Top
• AM Radio
• Chrome Bumpers
• Restored Undercarriage
• Bucket Seats

Mechanical

The 327 cubic inch V8 under the hood is the correct engine family for this application and it presents well. The engine bay has been detailed with polished aluminum valve covers, a Weiand intake manifold, and a performance-style open-element air cleaner with a Chevrolet bowtie center cap — all period-correct in appearance while adding some visual distinction over a stock setup. The block is painted in Chevrolet engine red, which is correct for the era, and the overall bay presentation is clean and organized without looking like it was built for a show trailer.

The 4-speed manual transmission is the right gearbox for this car. In 1966, Chevrolet offered both the Muncie 3-speed and 4-speed manual options for Nova SS buyers who wanted a more involved driving experience. A 4-speed paired with the 327 was the combination most serious buyers specified, and it remains the most sought-after configuration today. Underneath, the car has been fitted with a Flowmaster dual exhaust system — the Flowmaster mufflers are visible in the undercarriage photos, routed cleanly with dual outlets exiting at the rear. The exhaust note on a 327 through a Flowmaster dual setup is a well-known quantity: authoritative without being obnoxious at cruise.

The undercarriage has been restored and is genuinely presentable. The floor pans, frame rails, and suspension components have been coated in black, and the work is thorough enough to photograph well from multiple angles on a lift. The front suspension shows clean control arms and steering linkage, and the rear axle has been painted red — a detail visible in several of the lift photos. The driveshaft is from Shaftmasters, a Michigan-based supplier of quality replacement and custom driveshafts, which suggests the drivetrain has been gone through methodically rather than cosmetically. The front subframe area is equally clean, and the entire underside gives a buyer the confidence that the car was not simply made to look good from ten feet away.

Interior

The black vinyl interior is in excellent condition throughout. The bucket seats — which were a key component of the Super Sport package on the 1966 Nova SS — show clean stitching and no visible wear or cracking in the photos. The rear bench seat is equally well-preserved, with the correct ribbed vinyl pattern and chrome trim accents intact. The door panels are original-style units with horizontal ribbed vinyl, chrome window cranks, and the correct door pull handles.

The center console is present and correct, featuring the SS emblem on the lid — a detail that confirms the car was ordered with the Super Sport package, which included the floor console as part of the equipment group. The 4-speed shifter rises through the console in the proper position, and the chrome surround is in good shape.

The wood-grain SS steering wheel is a period-style item with three chrome spokes and the SS horn button at center — exactly the type of wheel that buyers optioned on performance Chevrolets of this era. It fits the car visually and functionally without looking out of place.

The gauge cluster has been updated with a digital unit that fits within the original dashboard opening. The cluster reads fuel level, temperature, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, and volts — all displayed with blue-lit gauges behind a dark face. It is a clean installation that gives the driver modern readability while preserving the original dashboard structure. The original Chevy II Delco AM radio remains in place in the center of the dash, which is a nice touch — it keeps the period look intact while the gauge cluster handles the functional instrumentation. The passenger side of the dash carries the correct Super Sport script badge, another confirming detail of the SS package.

Nova SS floor mats with the correct Nova script are visible on the floor, and the overall interior atmosphere is that of a well-maintained driver rather than a freshly built show car.

Exterior

The body is finished in blue — a deep, dark shade that photographs as navy or near-black depending on the light angle, and carries well on the 1966 Nova's clean hardtop lines. The 1966 body style was the last year of the second-generation Chevy II platform before the more aggressive third-generation design arrived for 1968, and it aged well. The roofline is tight and formal, the greenhouse is well-proportioned, and there are no unnecessary design flourishes to distract from the shape.

The vinyl top adds a contrasting texture to the roofline and was a popular factory and dealer-installed option on hardtops of this era. It is in good condition with no visible lifting or cracking at the seams in the photos.

Chrome bumpers are present front and rear and are in very good condition. The front bumper surrounds the correct 1966 grille with the SS badge incorporated into the grille surround — a detail that distinguishes the Super Sport from the base Chevy II at a glance. The 327 V8 badge on the front fender is correct for the engine option and adds to the exterior identification of this car as a performance-spec Nova.

The REV Classic polished wheels are a five-spoke design that suit the car well without going overboard. They are a widely recognized aftermarket option for classic GM cars and fill the wheel openings appropriately. Tires are Hankook 215/70R15, a sensible all-season size that provides comfortable highway manners on a car like this.

The rear bumper is equally clean, and the dual exhaust tips exit cleanly below the rear valance, confirming the Flowmaster system runs all the way through.

Conclusion

The 1966 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport with a 327 V8 and 4-speed manual represents the performance core of what Chevrolet built the Chevy II platform to become. This particular car has been assembled thoughtfully — the undercarriage restoration is genuine work, the interior retains its correct Super Sport identity, and the mechanical choices (Flowmaster exhaust, Weiand intake, quality driveshaft) are the kind made by someone who drives the car rather than trailers it. The blue exterior over a black interior is a strong combination on this body style, and the overall presentation is consistent from every angle.

If you are looking for a 1966 Nova SS 327 that is finished, honest, and ready to drive, this is worth a serious look.

To schedule a showing or ask specific questions about this 1966 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608. We are happy to walk you through the car in detail or arrange a third-party inspection.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.