A 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 L78 has made automotive history by selling for a record-breaking $275,000 at the Mecum Dallas/Fort Worth 2025 Auction, officially becoming the most expensive factory-stock Nova ever sold.
Introduced in 1962 as the Chevy II, the Nova quickly became one of Chevrolet’s most popular compact cars, selling more than 4.5 million units before its first discontinuation in 1979. Originally designed for practicality, the Nova soon evolved into a muscle car legend — particularly after the introduction of V8 engines in 1964 and the Super Sport (SS) trim in 1968.
The record-setting vehicle is a 375-horsepower L78 version, powered by a 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) big-block V8 paired with a four-speed M20 manual gearbox and a Posi rear end with 3.55 gears. Only 3,765 units of this configuration were produced in 1970, making it a prized collectible — though not nearly as rare as the famous Yenko-prepared Novas, which have fetched six-figure sums for decades.
What makes this Nova special is its remarkable originality and condition. Showing just 11,319 miles (18,216 km) on the odometer, the car was a one-owner time capsule until August 2025 and includes complete documentation — from broadcast sheets and window sticker to dealer invoice, Protect-O-Plate, and registration receipts.
The bidding was fierce, starting below the $130,000 reserve before skyrocketing to $275,000 (including fees) — more than $100,000 above expectations. According to auction data, it outperformed all other factory-correct Novas ever sold, with only Yenko-modified models coming close to its value.
The car ranked tenth overall at the Dallas/Fort Worth auction, just behind high-profile sales like a 2006 Ford GT ($632,500) and a 1963 Corvette Z06 “big tank” ($418,000).
With this sale, the 1970 Nova SS 396 L78 not only cements its place in muscle car history but also proves that originality and preservation remain the ultimate benchmarks of collector value.
